Why does GOD hate Pride?
Why does GOD hate Pride? came to me when I was looking for scriptures to answer a different question. That question “How do you save each other’s Pride?” I answered in a different blog. The scripture I was reading when I got this question is, Proverbs 6:16- 19.
Proverbs 6:16-19 says, “There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. “
I have heard this scripture used a lot when people talk about GOD hating pride. But this scripture uses Haughty eyes, and I am not sure what haughty eyes means. So, I looked up the meaning of haughty. The Merriam – Webster dictionary says: “blatantly and disdainfully proud: having or showing an attitude of superiority and contempt for people or things perceived to be inferior.” I know that pride is a noun, and proud is its adjectival form of pride. Blatantly in a shameless or conspicuous way; flagrantly. So, I need to not blatantly and disdainfully show an attitude of superiority towards others. For me if someone is being blatantly acting superior towards me or others that makes me think that they are judging me and they think they are better than me. So, does that mean that they are better than GOD also? But is that why GOD hates pride. Before I go to the bible to see what GOD say’s about pride, I am going to look at the meaning of pride. One place I found: a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievement, the achievements of those with whom one is strongly associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. I get a satisfaction in myself when I do things, so I feel like I need to keep looking for the meaning of pride. Another place I found: a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct. and a deep satisfaction of me doing something. There is a word in that definition that we need to look at which is superiority. I looked up the definition of superiority and this is what I found: the state or fact of being better, more important, or higher in rank than others.
Blatantly and disdainfully proud and thinking that I am better and more important or higher in rank than others. This is what I get out of the meaning of what pride is. Well, I do not think that I am more important than GOD. Every time I am looking in the bible for answers, when I look at the meaning of words, I understand better why it is important to study GOD’s word. I get a deeper understanding of what GOD wants me to know.
Now when I look in the Bible for my answer, 1 John 2:16 says that pride is not from GOD but from the world. 1 John 2:16 says, “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father but are from this world.”
There is lots of warnings of what pride can do.
2 Timothy 3:4 says: “They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.”
Proverbs 11:2 says: “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Proverbs 13:10 says: “Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.”
Proverbs 16:18 says: “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.”
Proverbs 29:23 says: “Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.”
All these warnings are good reasons to be careful of getting prideful. But I want a scripture that tells me why GOD hates pride. This is why i am using Psalm 10:3-4 to answer my question.
My answer for Why Does GOD hate pride is:
Psalm 10:3 – 4 say’s “For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
When I read this scripture, I think of James 1:14-15 which says: “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”
When I get prideful and start to boast of the desires of my soul it will lead to sin and death of my soul. If I get greedy for gain and let sin take over me, I will renounce GOD and believe that there is no GOD. Ouch, now I know why GOD hates pride. GOD wants a relationship with us and if I believe there is no GOD then I will not want a relationship with him.
With the meaning of pride being: “blatantly and disdainfully proud: having or showing an attitude of superiority and contempt for people or things perceived to be inferior.” Perceived to be inferior. So, if I am being honest with myself, I know that I am not superior to GOD. I can see people saying you can be proud of the things you do, but do not get prideful. I want the people in my life to not let me be proud of the things I do. I want to give GOD the praise with everything I do.
Isaiah 2:11-17 says: “Human pride will be brought down, and human arrogance will be humbled. Only the Lord will be exalted on that day of judgment.”
As I read scripture and look at the meaning of different words, I get a better understanding of what the bible says. I also get a better understanding of why I need to stay in GOD’s word and continue to learn the true meaning of life and my relationship with GOD. I used to think pride was ok if you do not get prideful and let it control your actions. Now I know that I need to give GOD the Glory in everything I do in my life. I do not want to let temptation to get a hold of my actions and relationship with GOD. I want the people in my life to tell me when I get prideful. I know that GOD is the final judge in everything I do and speak.
My question for the world is. Are you letting the importance of the things you do get in your way of knowing the true GOD?
My prayer for me and the world is. Oh, Heavenly Father, you created everything on this earth for us. You know what things on this earth are good for me and not good for me. Please help me see the difference in them and be able to see when I am getting proud when I do things. When you bless me with things show me that it is from you and not my doings. Keep me humble with everything I do. Keep my eyes on the fact that you can take everything from me. Let me be gracious with others if I see them getting prideful.
AMEN
