PRIDE
Pride: A Worldly Trait
I care deeply for and love Christ and His Church. Yet, like many others, I have both experienced pain within it and, at times, contributed to that pain myself. Through words and actions, countless Christians—often unintentionally—have added to others’ burdens. As we seek to follow Christ faithfully, pride and self-righteousness can quietly surface when the self resists surrender to Christ Jesus. The following six indicators listed below may reveal areas of pride and self-righteousness in a believer’s life. Also included in this essay is a scriptural understanding of the struggle each believer faces, and a conclusion that draws on the Words of Christ Jesus, providing guidance and relief as one seeks to free oneself from the burdens of this world and to conform oneself to His image.
Pride and Self-righteousness Indicators
- Resistance to correction
A proud, self-righteous Christian becomes defensive when confronted, explaining away sin or refusing accountability, while a faithful Christian submits.
Heb 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”
Gal 6:1=3 “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”
- Spiritual comparison
Pride and self-righteousness show up when someone measures their faith against others, judging, or feeling superior in doctrine, behavior, or service. At the same time, a faithful Christian is merciful and not judgmental.
Luk 18:11-14 “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get. But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner! I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Mat 7:1 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.”
Luk 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.”
- Self-focused spirituality
When prayer, ministry, or testimony centers more on self than humility, Pride, and Self-Righteousness are at work.
1Co 4:7 “Who made you superior to others? Didn’t God give you everything you have? Well, then, how can you boast, as if what you have were not a gift?”
1Co 15:10 “But by God’s grace I am what I am, and the grace that he gave me was not without effect. On the contrary, I have worked harder than any of the other apostles, although it was not really my own doing, but God’s grace working with me.”
- Lack of repentance
Pride and self-righteousness minimize sin, excuse disobedience, or delay confession. A humble, faithful Christian remains quick to repent and slow to justify themselves.
Act 3:19-20 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that he will forgive your sins. If you do, times of spiritual strength will come from the Lord, and he will send Jesus, who is the Messiah he has already chosen for you.”
Luk 13:3 “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
- Harshness toward others
Pride and self-righteousness often produce impatience, criticism, and little grace toward others’ weaknesses. True humility reflects Christ’s gentleness.
Gal 6:1-3 “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”
- Dependence on works instead of grace
When confidence comes from performance rather than Christ’s finished work, Pride and self-righteousness quietly replace trust in grace.
Eph 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Rom 3:24 “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;”
Understandings
As proud states, “I am greater,” Self-righteousness states, “I am better than you,” thus being in direct contrast to Mat 23:11-12: “The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
The road down the path of Pride and its expression, self-righteousness, begins when honest self-reflection and faithful seeking of Christlike humility are interrupted by one’s sinful heart, which bears witness to a fallen, dark world. Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” As listed in the six indicators, these attitudes lead to comparison, judgment, and a lack of genuine compassion, undermining humility, love, and care. Since both contrast with humility, if unrestrained and persistent, legalism replaces grace, and hearts become hardened, losing compassion and adopting a rigid approach that harms oneself and others. Pro 16:18: “Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall.” God calls the faithful to be peacemakers, letting go of pride and self-righteousness, Rom 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” Genuine submission to Christ and following his teachings ends this cycle and allows believers to bless others. The Beatitudes remind us that a humble heart, poor in spirit, opens the way to the Kingdom of God and all the blessings Christ promised.
Conclusion
The Beatitudes
Mat 5:2 “Christ Jesus opened His mouth and began to teach, saying,”
Mat 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Mat 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Mat 5:5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Mat 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
Mat 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
Mat 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Mat 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Mat 5:10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Mat 5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.”
Mat 5:12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Mat 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.