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Pride holds an inflated view of self.  This evil sin is manifested when we overrate or speak highly of ourselves, despise others, or set ourselves up as judges of others. Augustine defined it as “the love of one’s own excellence.”

Pride is an enemy to the peace of mankind.  It is often the cause of conflicts, broken families and interpersonal relationships.  One who is proud often displays his folly both in speech and conduct.   
In Proverbs 8:13, we read that with pride, follows three other evils, namely “… arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth.”

Pride is part of the depraved nature

Sadly, pride is found in every human heart.  This wicked sin literally runs “in the blood.”  Our first parents fell because of their pride.  In their aspiration to “… be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Gen. 3: 5), they succumbed to the wily words of Satan, disobeyed God and partook of the forbidden fruit.  Since then, pride has become an integral part of our depraved nature. 

“If there is a sin that is universal, it is this. Where is it not to be found? Hunt among the highest and loftiest in the world, and you shall find it there; and then go and search amongst the poorest and the most miserable, and you shall find it there. There may be as much pride inside a beggar's rags as in a prince's robe; and a harlot may be as proud as a model of chastity. Pride is a strange creature; it never objects to its lodgings. It will live comfortably enough in a palace, and it will live equally at its ease in a hovel. Is there any man in whose heart pride does not lurk? If anyone held up his hand, and said, ‘I am one,’ I would answer, ‘That is Number One in the widest street of the whole city of Self-conceit;’ for, when we fancy that we have clean escaped from pride, it is only because we have lost the sense of its weight through being surrounded with it” – C H Spurgeon.

The root of all other sins

Pride is the root that feeds all the rest of our sins – strife, anger, rebelliousness, stubbornness, envy, hatred, bitterness, malice, evil speaking.  Many are the forms of this hateful spirit.  Some are proud of their wealth, some of their good looks, some of their position, some of their achievements, some of their talents, some of their independence.  Not a few boast of their “goodness” while others take pride in their spiritual knowledge and maturity. 

God hates pride

Sins of the flesh are revolting and bring their own social consequences, but against none of those does God speak with such vehemence as He does of pride.  God will not tolerate a lofty spirit for it is an attack upon His undivided glory:  “My glory will I not give to another” (Isa. 42: 8). 
Haughtiness and high thoughts of self are sins which God hates.   In the list of “seven deadly sins” that God abhors, pride stands first: “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:   A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,   An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Prov. 6: 16-19).    God hates “… him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer” (Ps. 101: 5b). Someone rightly says: “God abhors those people worst - who adore themselves most.”  

God opposes the proud

God is the enemy of the haughty who exalt themselves and despise others. He sets Himself against them; He scatters “the proud in the imagination of their hearts” and “put down the mighty from their seats” (Lk. 1: 51-52). 

God is against one who is proud but He exalts the humble and preserves them by His grace: “Though the LORD be high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly: but the proud He knoweth afar off” (Ps. 138: 6).   “Surely He scorneth the scorners: but He giveth grace unto the lowly (Prov. 3: 34). 

The apostle Peter reminded his readers to be “subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (I Pet. 5: 5).  Interestingly, “clothed”  in the Greek occurs nowhere else in the New Testament.  It has the idea of a garment that is fastened with strings and refers particularly to a long white apron, or outer garment, that was commonly worn by slaves.  The use of this word is significant – as denoting a spirit of humility.  The apostle was exhorting his readers to maintain a humble spirit, to be willing to occupy any station, however humble, by which they might honour the Lord.  It is said that some early Christians actually sold themselves as slaves, in order that they might preach the gospel to those who were in bondage.  The sense here is, they were to put on humility as a garment bound fast to them, as a slave bound fast to him the apron that reflected his lowly station in life.

Brethren, if we long for more grace from the Lord, let us learn to be humble.  Let us put away all lofty thoughts of self from us.  Let us cultivate a spirit of humility.