Is all pride bad?

from the old testament

• Proverbs 16:18 warns, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Other Proverbs also assert the destructive impact of human pride (cf. Proverbs 11:2, 29:23).
• All people, even followers of God, are susceptible to the sin of pride in self and should guard against it. For example, Kings Uzziah and Hezekiah were good rulers who became prideful (2 Chronicles 26:16-21, 32:25).
• Sinful pride exalts self; righteous pride exalts God. God expressed the difference through the prophet Jeremiah's warning to the nation of Judah: "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord'” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

from the new testament

• Jesus chastised the Jewish religious leaders of His day for exalting themselves. He said of them, "They do all their deeds to be seen by others . . . and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others" (Matthew 23:5-7). But Christ asserted that "The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:11-12).
• Paul reaffirmed this in his letters to the Corinthians: "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world . . . so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. . . .so that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord'”  (1 Corinthians 1:27-31; cf 2 Corinthians 10:17). Pride in what God has done through us is fine; such pride glorifies God, not human beings.
• Sinful pride seeks self-glorification. Paul warned the Philippians about that type of pride: "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3).
• Human pride leaves no room for grace. But we are saved by grace, not our own efforts (Ephesians 2:8-9). Righteous pride points God. Paul exemplified this in his letter to believers in Galatia: "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Galatians 6:14).

implications for today

Have you ever blown into a balloon to see how big you can get it before it pops?

Our pride can expand like that balloon, with the secular world's slogans as its air: "You deserve it," "Own your success," and "Be proud of who you are."

But sooner or later, the balloon pops. Nebuchadnezzar found that out when he took credit for his kingdom instead of giving God the glory for putting him in power (Daniel 4:28-33). King Uzziah's pride led him to disrespect God's holiness and he became leprous as a result (2 Chronicles 26:16-21).

Uzziah is the greater cautionary tale for believers because he was originally a righteous king. His example shows that pride can fell even the faithful. How, then, can you stay humble?

Remind yourself daily that God is the source of all you have. Ask Him to help you through your challenges, and then thank Him when He does. Pray that He will excise any pride from your heart and keep you humble.

Christians do not have to wear a hair shirt and walk on our knees to prove humility. But we should remain aware of who the glory goes to: God, not ourselves.