Psychologically, pride is viewed as a vice and as a virtue. Pride viewed as vice is defined as arrogance bordering on disdainful attitude towards others. A feeling of personal superiority over others characterised by excessive self-esteem as a result of success or achievement. Pride viewed as a virtue is one that arises from self-respect derived from valuing oneself to the extent of refusing to accept warning or correction from others. From theological point of view both pride is a behavioural pattern that God hates. (Prov.6:17a)

Pride is a display of foolishness because it is an evil thought that comes from one’s mind and destroys him. (Mark.7:22, 23) An act of self-defiling character. It on many occasion blinds one to his mistakes, distorts his reality so much that he is erroneously convinced that he already knows everything. It makes one not to admit limitations as a result of distortion of reality; he overestimates his ability and consequently cause himself avoidable downfall. (Prov.16:18a)

King Uzziah is an example of one who displayed self-defiling character. He started well as a king and was prospered until he got carried away by pride and was destroyed. He crossed the set boundary by going into the temple to burn incense which was the duty for the priests who were consecrated. He arrogantly refused the warnings of the priests against his action. He insisted to burn incense in the temple when the Lord struck him, and leprosy broke out on his forehead. (2 Chronicles 26:16-20) King Uzziah’s conduct suggests an attempt to set his own law against the law of God, and the word of God condemns whoever determines a law unto himself. Such person is seen as proud in his heart, and the word of God says none of such person will go unpunished. (Prov.16:5) In the same manner, whoever resists the authority and act as law unto himself is arrogant and proud and will eventually lead himself to destruction because he resists the ordinance of God. (Rom.13:2)

King Uzziah ended badly as a result of pride of success. He refused to take to correction because of his status. He resisted the authority by his refusal to heed to the warning of the priests; he attempted to change God’s law and consequently self-destroyed himself at the end.

Dear brothers and sisters, the proud may have the knowledge of the word of God and refuse to obey the word. It is not the knowledge of the word that saves, but obedience to what the word directs one to do. I like to call your attention to the truth that the fear of the Lord is to hate evil, Pride, arrogance and the evil way. (Prov.8:13) I urge you to also be guided by Apostle Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians that says: “For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1 Cor.4:7)

May the God of Heaven grant us more and more strength to embrace humility and stand against pride in our lives in Jesus Mighty name. Amen

Evangelism Let the Word of God cleanse you and be obedient to what the Word directs you to do.

Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre