“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:6, NRSV
“The Lord’s mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.”
Luke 1:50-52
“For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 14:11
It’s not bad to feel proud of what you have accomplished, or proud of your family or friends. It’s not bad to take pride in your work, or to feel proud of your ancestry or identity. When scripture talks about pride or any other quality that focuses our attention inward rather than outward, context matters. What we are proud of and how that pride manifests matters: when pride in our work or accomplishments turns into all-encompassing egotism, or when pride in home or appearance becomes vanity, then pride is a problem. When feeding our pride becomes more important than feeding our hungry neighbors, we are at risk of putting our pride before our relationship with God, before our calling as Christians. Humility is the virtue lifted up to us in scripture, and humility is the virtue toward which we strive. Turning our gaze outward toward others and seeking ways to serve the needs of our communities, following the example of Jesus, is a tried and true way to keep pride in check.
