What Is Pride?
In English the word pride has two meanings:
• a spirit of conceit or superior worth (a negative quality)
• a spirit of pleasing satisfaction or proper self-worth (a positive quality)
In Greek, the word huperephanos means “arrogant, proud or appearing above others.” (huper means above, phaino means to appear)
In the New Testament pride is nearly always used in the negative sense of being haughty, disdainful and proud.
“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.”
(2 Timothy 3:2)
God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:6
What Is Humility?
In English, the word humility has two meanings: a spirit of respectfulness, deference and meekness (a positive quality) a spirit of insignificance, inferiority and subserviance (a negative quality)In Greek, the word tapeinos means humble in spirit or lowly.In the New Testament humility is nearly always used in the positive sense denoting a lowliness or humbleness of mind.
“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:4
Wordly Perception of Pride
Never admit a weakness.
Scriptual Heart of Humility
Delight in your weakness
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:10
Wordly Perception of Pride
Hold on to your rights.
Scriptual Heart of Humility
Yield your personal rights.
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
Philippians 2:5–8
Wordly Perception of Pride
Seek vindication at all costs.
Scriptual Heart of Humility
Wait on God’s vindication
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
1 Peter 5:6
Wordly Perception of Pride
Seek recognition and praise for yourself
Scriptual Heart of Humility
Let praise come only from others.
“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.”
Proverbs 27:2
Wordly Perception of Pride
Seek revenge when offered.
Scriptual Heart of Humility
Be quick to overlook an offense.
“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”
Proverbs 19:11
Wordly Perception of Pride
Seek wordly knowledge (intellectualism).
Scriptual Heart of Humility
Seek God’s wisdom.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10
Wordly Perception of Pride
Do not ask advice from others.
Scriptual Heart of Humility
Seek advice from others
“The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”
Proverbs 12:15
Wordly Perception of Pride
Continually compare yourself with others.
Scriptual Heart of Humility
Refuse useless comparisons