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“Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath” (Proverbs 21: 24)

A haughty person makes it his great business to promote himself; he hates and opposes all that stand in his way, despises others, and is not able to bear the least slighting or affront.  The pride of his heart is reflected in the eyes, or by his looks: “An high look, and a proud heart” (Prov. 21:4a).

Sadly, even Christians exhibit strong symptoms of this evil malady.  The early Christian churches were not spared.  The pride of gifts was the besetting sin of the Corinthian church; the pride of legalism the sin of the Galatian church, the pride of vain philosophy of the Colossian church.

“None are exempt from pride’s baneful influence. She works in the highest Calvinist as well as in the lowest Arminian; swells the bosom of the poorest, most illiterate dissenting minister, as well as puffs up the lawn sleeves of the most lordly bishop.  And, what is far worse, even in those who know, love, and preach the truth, spiritual pride often sets brother against brother, friend against friend, minister against minister.  She is full of cruel jealousy and murderous envy, greedily listens to the slanderous tales of whisperers and backbiters, drinks down flattery with insatiable thirst, measures men’s grace by the amount of their approbation, and would trample in the mire the most honoured of God's servants, that by standing upon them she might raise herself a few inches higher!” – J C Philpot.

Strife
“Only by pride cometh contention” (Prov. 13: 10);  “He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife” (Prov. 28: 25). 

Because of its contentious spirit, pride has divided churches, families and friends.  Ruled by his pride and fuming passions, a conceited person will soon show himself for what he really is.  He rebels against authority and causes discord wherever he goes.  Such a one cannot bear contradiction or competition, is wrathful and revengeful, and always at variance with his neighbours.

Puffed up with a conceit of their number and strength, the Ephraimites wanted to share in the glory of Gideon’s victory.  They chided him because “thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites” (Judg. 8: 1).  The apostle John wrote of  Diotrephes who “receiveth us not”  because he “loveth to have the pre-eminence among them” (III Jn. 1: 9).  

Shame
“When pride cometh, then cometh shame” (Prov. 11: 2)

The word “shame” - “salon” in the Hebrew - means a lowering of one’s present state.  Because the proud person thinks highly of himself, he expects to be highly regarded.  But when others fail to acknowledge his supposed worth, he is angry and ashamed.   

Sadly, when pride reigns in the heart, one is not able to accept any form of rejection or resistance.  One who suffered shame because his counsel was rejected was Ahithophel.  When Absalom took the advice of Hushai instead of his trusted counsellor, the shame was too great for Ahithophel’s proud heart, and he committed suicide:  “And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself …” (II Sam. 17:23).

Some years ago, a famous chef considered himself a failure and took his own life because he could not face the shame of not winning a cooking competition.  Such is the sad effect of this grievous sin.

Folly
“Proud and haughty scorner is his name” (Prov. 21: 24)

A proud person cannot accept criticism of any kind; in Proverbs 21: 24, he is called a “scorner.”  He is unteachable because he thinks himself wise enough.  He rejects correction or instruction and ends up a fool because he learns nothing.

This was the case with General Naaman.  Because of his pride, he almost missed the opportunity of God’s healing.  Had it not been for his servants who persuaded him to heed the instruction of the prophet Elisha, he would have remained a leper all his life (II Ki. 5: 9-14).

Destruction
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16: 18)

Pride is commonly a forerunner and cause of men’s ruin, because it highly provokes both God and men.  A man who carries his head high, and walks with his nose up in the air, is not able to see where he is going; he soon stumbles and falls.  The higher his position, the greater the fall. 

It is also true that a prideful person will often suffer a setback or failure, because he is overconfident and tends to make rash, erroneous judgments: 

Brethren, let us not fear the pride of others.  Rather, let us greatly fear pride in ourselves, for it is an affront to God and man.   May the Lord grant us the grace to maintain a humble spirit at all times.   (… to be continued)