What is the sin of pride?
Introduction. Involved in the three Greek words rendered pride in the Greek New Testament is the idea of vainglory, boasting, and high or high-minded. Pride, then, is the opposite of "denying self" (Luke 9: 23). Paul wrote, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" (Phili. 2: 3).
The Pharisee of Luke 18, a graphic example of pride. Jesus spoke the parable of Luke 18: 10-14 for the purpose of: "And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others" (Luke 18: 9). The Pharisee stood and thanked God that he was better than other men (vs. 11). To the converse, the Publican with down cast eyes said, "God be merciful to me a sinner" (vs. 13). Jesus taught, "everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbeth himself shall be exalted" (vs. 14).
Pride is a lust of the flesh. John wrote, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world" (1 John 2: 16). The devil unsuccessfully tempted Jesus by appealing to pride, but the devil succeeded in tempting Eve through pride (Matt. 4: 6, Gen. 3: 6, "make one wise"). Pride instead of actually elevating man, brings man low, goes before destruction, and introduces shame (Prov. 29: 23; 16: 18; 11: 2). Notwithstanding, some rejoice in their pride (cp. Zeph. 3: 11). Pride also produces contention (Prov. 13: 10).
Pride corrupts and emanates from within man. "Evil thoughts," Jesus mentions, "covetousness...an evil eye...and pride...," all these evil things come from within and defile the man" (Mk. 7: 20-23). Pride rejects God and his authority, demanding man's will be done and then glories in how great man is.
The Pharisee of Luke 18, a graphic example of pride. Jesus spoke the parable of Luke 18: 10-14 for the purpose of: "And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others" (Luke 18: 9). The Pharisee stood and thanked God that he was better than other men (vs. 11). To the converse, the Publican with down cast eyes said, "God be merciful to me a sinner" (vs. 13). Jesus taught, "everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbeth himself shall be exalted" (vs. 14).
Pride is a lust of the flesh. John wrote, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world" (1 John 2: 16). The devil unsuccessfully tempted Jesus by appealing to pride, but the devil succeeded in tempting Eve through pride (Matt. 4: 6, Gen. 3: 6, "make one wise"). Pride instead of actually elevating man, brings man low, goes before destruction, and introduces shame (Prov. 29: 23; 16: 18; 11: 2). Notwithstanding, some rejoice in their pride (cp. Zeph. 3: 11). Pride also produces contention (Prov. 13: 10).
Pride corrupts and emanates from within man. "Evil thoughts," Jesus mentions, "covetousness...an evil eye...and pride...," all these evil things come from within and defile the man" (Mk. 7: 20-23). Pride rejects God and his authority, demanding man's will be done and then glories in how great man is.