Pride is Arrogance; Be Humble and Give God Credit

Avoid boastful and foolish pride because that type of pride is arrogance. The Lord treats the arrogant as they treat others and gives grace to the humble. Take this journey through the valley of arrogant pride.

Summary

(If a man does not know how to rule his own household, how shall he have the Church of God given into his care?) 6 He ought not to be a new convert, for fear he should be blinded (puffed up) with pride (conceit, arrogance) and come under the same condemnation as the Devil [1 Timothy 3:5-6 (WNT)].

Think about this:

Your title or social status can cause boastful or foolish pride. Some give the credit for their success to everyone but God. Do you give the Lord praise for the great things you have done? “Therefore, be humble [in your actions] before God’s powerful authority, so that you may be exalted [by Him] at the proper time” [1 Peter 5:6 (AUV)].

Key Points:

1. Arrogant

   The ways of an arrogant person are not approved by God. A high (conceited) look and a proud heart (arrogant attitude), are sins [Proverbs 21:4]. “Proud,” “Self-important” and “One who laughs at the truth” are the names of the man who acts without respect and is proud [Proverbs 21:24 (NLV)].

2. Conceit +

   A proud person is high-minded or puffed-up. Haughty, showing oneself above others. Despising others or even treating them with contempt. Prone to empty boasting and mere bragging. One who trusts in its own power and resources and shamefully despises and violates divine laws and human rights. “You glory in your conceit. Such glory is evil” [James 4:16 (NSB)].

3. Give God Credit

   As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen [1 Peter 4:10-11 (WEB)].

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Arrogance and Haughtiness

Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished [Proverbs 16:5 (KJV)].

These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren [Proverbs 6:16-19 (KJV)].

Actually, pride is arrogance

Pride {often translated as ‘arrogance’ and ‘conceit’} is an abomination {the feeling of extreme disgust and hatred} to the Lord.

“I will stop whoever talks against his neighbor in secret. I will not listen to anyone who has a proud look {conceit} and a proud heart {arrogant}.” [Psalm 101:5 (NLV)].

Jesus included pride as one of the evil things that defiles a man {makes a person spiritually corrupt}. ‘And he said, That which comes out of the man, that defiles the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 Covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lustfulness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man‘ [Mark 7:20-23 (RKJNT)].

Pride in Proverbs

“I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion. 13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth [Proverbs 8:12-13 (NHEB)].

Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall [Proverbs 16:18 (GNT)]. A man’s pride will be the cause of his fall, but he who has a gentle spirit will get honour [Proverbs 29:23 (BBE)]. Wherever arrogance may be, there too is insult. But wherever humility is, there too is wisdom [Proverbs 11:2 (CPDV)].

Definitions

Pride

• An excessively or overhigh opinion of oneself; exaggerated self-esteem; conceit. The showing of this in behavior; haughtiness; arrogance. Pride is a high or an excessive esteem of one’s self for some real or imagined superiority, as rank, wealth, talents, character, etc. The quality or state of being proud as: excessive self-esteem; conceit a reasonable or justifiable self-respect a delight or elation arising from some act or possession.
• The character of one who, with a swollen estimate of his own powers or merits, looks down on others and even treats them with insolence {offensiveness; rudeness; insults} and contempt.
• Empty boasting, mere bragging 2. (by implication) self-confidence 3. empty, braggart talk 3a. an insolent and empty assurance, which trusts in its own power and resources and shamefully despises and violates divine laws and human rights 3b. an impious and empty presumption which trusts in the stability of earthly things. James 4:6 ‘boasting’; 1 John 2:16.

Arrogance, Haughtiness, and Disdain

• Haughtiness {snobbishness; conceit} denotes the expression of conscious and proud superiority.
• Arrogance {pretention; smugness; self-love; self-worship} is a disposition to claim for one’s self more than is justly due, and enforce it to the utmost.
• Disdain in the exact reverse of condescension toward inferiors, since it expresses and desires others to feel how far below ourselves we consider them.

Does not please God

III. GOD’S SPECIAL JUDGMENTS AGAINST PRIDE. He chastises nations by bringing upon them national calamities. In Scripture we find it is this sin that has drawn down the most severe judgments on individuals, such as Nebuchadnezzar, Uzziah, Hezekiah, Ahithophel, Herod (see also the Laodiceans). Is not pride convicted as in every shape utterly un-Christian, as the primary cause of the fall of man, as in all ages the foundation of most heinous sins, of the most tremendous judgments? Then leave pride to the proud. Be not ye corrupted to call evil good, and darkness light.

Pride is ever setting itself up against heaven. When it looks to God, it is with a desire of being freed from dependence on Him. When it considers men, it undervalues His gifts to others; and prompts us to act, with respect to His gifts to ourselves, as though they were inherent in us, or were our due. Scrutinise your own bosom that you may discover whether it is under the influence of pride. – Thos. Gisborne, M.A.

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Boasting

I am the vine, you are the branches: He who abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. 6 If a man does not abide in me, he is thrown away as a branch, and withers; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned [John 15:5-6 (RKJNT)].

Jesus wants you to know, you have no reason to boast
because without Him you can do nothing. “This is the word of the Lord: Let not the wise man take pride in his wisdom, or the strong man in his strength, or the man of wealth in his wealth: 24 But if any man has pride, let it be in this, that he has the wisdom to have knowledge of me, that I am the Lord, working mercy, giving true decisions, and doing righteousness in the earth: for in these things I have delight, says the Lord” [Jeremiah 9:23-24 (BBE)].

The fact is, God deserves credit for all that you have done. It is critical to avoid pride at all times, since pride is arrogance. After all, if God is not in our lives, we are nothing!

The world

Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and

the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passes away, along with its lusts: but he who does the will of God abides forever [1 John 2:15-17 (RKJNT)].

For all that is in the world – All that it can boast of, all that it can promise, is only sensual, transient gratification, and even this promise it cannot fulfill; so that its warmest votaries can complain loudest of their disappointment.
The lust of the flesh – Sensual and impure desires which seek their gratification in women, strong drink, delicious viands, and the like.
Lust of the eyes – Inordinate desires after finery of every kind, gaudy dress, splendid houses, superb furniture, expensive equipage, trappings, and decorations of all sorts.
Pride of life – Hunting after honors, titles, and pedigrees; boasting of ancestry, family connections, great offices, honorable acquaintance, and the like. Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible

Philippians 3:17-21

Brothers, you people should join together in imitating me, and take note of those who are following my example. 18 For I have often told you before, and am telling you again with tears in my eyes, that many people are living as the enemies of the cross of Christ [i.e., their lives oppose the purpose of Christ’s death]. 19 Their [ultimate] end is [spiritual] destruction; their god is their appetite;

they boast of what they ought to be ashamed of, and they [constantly] think about worldly things. 20 But we are [really] citizens of heaven and we are waiting for a Savior [to return] from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will change our lowly [physical] bodies and make them like His glorious body. [He will do this] according to the power that enables Him even to bring everything into submission to Himself. [Philippians 3:17-21 (AUV)].

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Pride wrap-up

Be humble

Let all of you put away pride and make yourselves ready to be servants: for God is a hater of pride, but he gives grace to those who make themselves low.

6 For this cause make yourselves low under the strong hand of God, so that when the time comes you may be lifted up; 7 Putting all your troubles on him, for he takes care of you [1 Peter 5:5-7 (BBE)].

A person filled with pride does not have or display humility or modesty. “…All of you should be very humble with each other [clothe yourselves with humility toward one another]. [Because:] “God is against [resists; opposes] the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.¹”

When a person boasts about what they have, what they’ve done, how they look, and/or what they know, they commit the sin of pride. We should direct our praise to God, for without him, we would fail.

The earth and everything on it belong to the Lord. The world and its people belong to him [Psalms 24:1 (CEV)]. So what are you proud of? The Lord owns everything.

“Is there any reason to consider yourselves better than others? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If you received it as a gift, why do you boast like it is something you achieved on your own? [1 Corinthians 4:7 (The Voice)].

2 Timothy 3:1-5

But you should know this: There will be terrible times in the last days [of the Christian age]. 2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive talkers, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

3 lacking in natural affection, unwilling to be reconciled [to their enemies], slanderers, lacking self-control, brutal, haters of what is good, 4 treacherous [i.e., betrayers], reckless, conceited, [and] lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

5 [These people] maintain an appearance of being godly, but they have denied its power; [you should] turn {STAY} away from such people. [2 Timothy 3:1-5 (AUV)].

Pride begins when respect for God ends. Be mindful of your view of self, learn to be humble because pride is arrogance.

I pray that you have enjoyed and will make the most of this Bible study. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺

Bible study Scriptures outline

Note: parenthesis (#) enclose the key verses.

Summary: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (5-6); 1 Peter 5:5-11 (6). Proverbs 21:24; James 4:13-17 (16); 1 Peter 4:7-11 (10-11).

Arrogance and haughtiness: Proverbs 16:5; Psalm 101:5; Proverbs 6:16-19 (16-17). Mark 7:1-23 (20-23); Proverbs 8:12-21 (12-13), 11:2, 16:18-19 (18), and 29:23.

Boasting: John 15:1-8 (5-8); Jeremiah 9:17-26 (23-24); 1 John 2:15-17; Philippians 3:7-21 [(18-19); ref James 4:13-17; Romans 12:16].

Pride wrap-up: 1 Peter 5:5-11 {(5-7); compare James 4:6; reference Proverbs 3:34}; 2 Timothy 3:1-9 (1-5).

Related studies/lessons/snacks for further Spiritual growth:

Christian Life; A Life in Christ Full of Love – an estimated 32-minute read.

Changed Life: Experience Your Best Using God’s Free Gift – an estimated 18-minute read.

If You Have Faith You’ll See Wonderful Things Happen – an estimated 13-minute read.

Positive Attitude; Welcome to a New Way of Being! – an estimated 19-minute read.

Lust; I Want It, I Don’t Care About Consequence – an estimated 10-minute read.

♥ Question for “Pride is Arrogance”: God hates pride, are you proud, arrogant, or conceited?

References

Thos. Gisborne, M.A. || Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible || ¹ excerpt from the Expanded Bible 1 Peter 5:5

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

Copyright information:

Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission. || (GNT) and (TEV) Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission. || (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. || (The Voice) The Voice Scripture taken from The Voice™. Copyright © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.