Type of Doctrine: Primary
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
-Philippians 2:3-4 ESV
Why Does It Matter?
Scripture claims that prideful people are opposed by God (James 4:6). Additionally, it claims that pride is an abomination to God and that the arrogant will be punished (Proverbs 16:5). What is pride? And what is humility? This article will explore the topics of pride and humility.
Since it is clear in Scripture, this would be considered a primary issue. Scholars are generally unified on this topic. Though all believers fight and struggle to uproot the sin of pride and cultivate humility, I'm not aware of anyone who actively argues that believers should be prideful.
What Is It?
What is pride? In his Concise Dictionary of Christian Theology, Millard Erickson defines pride in this way: "Usually, excessive self-esteem, together with a looking down upon others. On occasion the term may refer to a proper sense of self-esteem and satisfaction in one's well-being and accomplishments" (133). In other words, pride is thinking too highly of ourselves while thinking too lowly of others.
What is humility? Erickson explains, "The quality of not regarding oneself more highly than one should nor being excessively concerned about one's welfare or reputation" (78). In other words, to borrow a phrase from Tim Keller, humility is the freedom of self-forgetfulness.
What does Scripture say? Here are a few key Scriptures:
Proverbs 11:2 | 2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
Proverbs 8:13 | 13 The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
Proverbs 16:5 | 5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 16:18-19 | 18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Proverbs 18:12 | 12 Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 29:23 | 23 One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
James 4:6 | 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Romans 12:16 | 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
1 Peter 5:5-7 | 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Philippians 2:3-11 | 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Hellish Pride
Satan is proud. The demons are proud. And pride arose in the hearts of Adam and Eve which led to the Fall. That is hellish pride. In his book Humility, Andrew Murray explains hellish pride,
And so pride . . . is the root of every sin and evil. It was when the now-fallen angels began to look upon themselves with self-complacency that they were led to disobedience, and were cast down from the light of heaven into eternal darkness. Even so it was, when the Serpent breathed the poison of his pride--the desire to be like the Most High--into the hearts of our first parents, that they too fell from their high estate into all the wretchedness in which humanity is now sunk. In heaven and earth, pride--self-exaltation--is the gate, and the birth, and the curse, of hell. (2) Heavenly Humility
Humility is perfectly found in heaven. Specifically, God perfectly embodies humility. Scripture explains the remarkable humility that the Son of God displayed when he became a man and entered the world that he created, which was filled with sin and suffering. This is heavenly humility. Murray explains,
The humility we see in Jesus possessed Him in heaven. Humility brought Him to earth, and He brought humility with Him from heaven. Here on earth "He humbled himself and became obedient to death." His humility gave His death its value, and so became our redemption. (3; author's emphasis)Perhaps Murray slightly overstates the case. There were many aspects of Jesus' death that gave it value. However, undoubtedly, Jesus' humility can be seen shining brightly at every point in his life, death, and resurrection.
Application
Practically, how does pride show up in our lives? I imagine it can show up in countless ways. Here are a couple Scriptures with some practical applications.
Paul claims that pride can show up in selfish ambition and considering oneself better than others. He writes, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" (Phil. 2:3). In other words, in our dreams, goals, words, and actions, are we trying to make ourselves significant? Are we building our own kingdoms rather than Jesus' kingdom? Do we consider ourselves more significant than others? Are we attempting to become more significant than other people?
Perhaps we attempt prideful pursuits through:
accomplishments / success
money
possessions
image
control
power
fame
approval
self-pity
Perhaps we use:
job
kids / parenting
spouse / marriage
possessions (e.g., house, car, technology devices, clothes, etc.)
social media
networking
influence
platforms
Additionally, in Romans 12:16, Paul points out that pride is often what leads to our conflicts, our unwillingness to "associate with the lowly," and being wise in our own sight. Here are a few diagnostic questions:
Is the conflict that you are currently in somehow related to your pride? Are you insisting it is not related to your pride, in pride?
Are you willing to associate with those whom this world considers lowly even if there is no benefit to you?
Do you consider yourself wise?
Ouch! Surely, like me, you feel convicted and in need of grace and the Holy Spirit's power to shape Christ-like humility within you.
I'll let Andrew Murray have the final words of application:
Believer, are you clothed with humility? Ask your daily life. Ask Christ. Ask your friends. Ask the world! Then begin to praise God that there is opened up to you in Christ a heavenly humility of which you have hardly known, and through which a heavenly blessedness that you possibly have never yet tasted can come in to you. (22)Where Can I Learn More?
Bibliography:
-Erickson, Millard J. Concise Dictionary of Christian Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1986.
-Keller, Timothy. The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy. La Grange, KY: 10Publishing, 2012.
-Murray, Andrew. Humility. Revised by Harold J. Chadwick. Gainesville, FL: Bridge-Logos, 2000.