Pride is a unique type of sin, as well as a manifestation of spiritual ignorance, even though some very intelligent people are proud! In fact, a high IQ can tend to lead to pride as does beauty, strength, wealth, power, popularity, etc. No person, regardless how successful, wealthy, athletic, popular, physically attractive, etc. has anything he wasn’t given from God! Man can develop certain skills and abilities to some degree, but God was the one who gave him his potential and ability. If a proud person really understood that he has nothing to be proud about, he would never get in such a terrible condition. Here is a good verse reflecting the reality and frailty of man:
Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he? (Isa 2:22)
God has also specifically stated he opposes the proud:
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Pet 5:5)
If Almighty God opposes you, you have NO CHANCE! Be assured, your enemy the devil, who can come as an angel of light will try to get you in pride! So, watch out for pride creeping into your heart. Also, remember that your “glory,” whatever it is, is very temporary and will soon fade like a flower:
All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever. (1 Pet 1:24,25)
Furthermore, we will all be humbled, with no exception. Jesus taught:
I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:14)
Either you humble yourself (and get grace from God because of it) or God will oppose and humble you! The choice is yours, but isn’t it easy to know what to do and what to avoid? The context of Luke 18:14 shows the man who humbled himself, sincerely, humbly and sorrowfully asked God for mercy because of his sins. He was “exalted” by getting his sins forgiven and justified. The other man, in Jesus’ teaching, didn’t get his sins forgiven! You must be humble to get your sins forgiven. Pride will hide that vital need:
In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. (Psa 10:4)
Imagine having a heart so deceived that it doesn’t have room to think about God! That is the result of pride! Pride precedes destruction and a fall (Prov 16:18). Pride breeds quarrels (Prov. 13:10) and deceives (Obadiah 1:3). Pride will bring you down (Prov 29:23). If you are proud, God has a day set aside for you:
The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled) (Isa 2:12)
Will God humble and oppose you because of pride or will you humble yourself, receive grace and get exalted? The choice is yours, but it also your eternal existence! Do you have saving faith?
