The Problem of Pride

In the midst of a Bible Conference, a lady, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, came over to me and said, “David, you are a very humble person,” and then walked on. Now just how are you supposed to respond to a remark like that? Normally, if someone compliments you it’s proper to say, “Thank you.” But in this case, to say thank you, would immediately make me sound very proud! Truth be told, when she walked away, and I thought on her words, I could feel myself momentarily feeling proud of my humility.  However, I quickly remembered the words of Sir Winston Churchill, when speaking of a certain Politician in the House of Commons, Churchill said, “The Right Honourable gentleman is a very humble person, but then he has much to be humble about!” 

Now that’s the trouble with pride, it’s so subtle. We can so easily allow pride to rise up within us.  The life and death of our Lord Jesus Christ is a standing rebuke to every form of pride to which we are liable.

  • We take pride in birth and rank, but it’s said of Jesus, He was a carpenter’s son.

  • We take pride in possessions, but it’s said of Jesus, “The Son of man has  nowhere to lay His head.”

  • We take pride in our respectability, but it’s said of Jesus, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

  • We take pride in our personal appearance, but it’s said of Jesus, “He has no form or comeliness.”

  • We take pride in our reputation, but it’s said of Jesus, “Behold, a gluttonous man and a winebibber.” 

  • We take pride in our friendships, but it’s said of Jesus, “He was a friend of publicans and sinners.”

  • We take pride in our independence, but Jesus gave Himself to people, and had a woman at a well draw water for Him.

  • We take pride in our degrees and learning, but Jesus never went to college and it’s said of Him, “How knows this man letters having never learned to read?”

  • We take pride in our position, but Jesus said, “I am among you as one who serves.”

  • We take pride in our success, but it’s said of Jesus, “His own did not receive Him or believe on Him. He was despised and rejected of men.”

  • We take pride in our self-reliance, but it’s said of Jesus, “He went down to Nazareth and was subject to His parents.”

  • We take pride in our abilities, but Jesus said, “I can of my own self do nothing.”

  • We take pride in our self-will, but Jesus said, “I seek not my own will, but the Father’s.” And, “If thou be willing, remove this cup from Me, nevertheless not My will but Thine be done.”

  • We take pride in our intellect, But Jesus said, “As the Father has taught Me, I speak these things.”

  • We take pride in our resentment, and justifiable pride, but Jesus said, “Father, forgive them.”

  • We take pride in our holiness, but it’s said of Jesus, “He receives sinners and eats with them.”

  • We take pride in the fact that we are the righteousness of God, but it’s said of Jesus, “He who knew no sin became sin on our behalf in order that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  

Rev. William Secker, “I will not say a good man is never proud, but I will say a proud man is never good.”

“When I survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.” (Isaac Watts)

- Pastor David Goudy