Biblical Answer

Understanding Pride and Humility

Pride is an inflated opinion of oneself, a lie that we often hide behind. It's a refusal to acknowledge our weaknesses and limitations, and instead, we boast about our strengths and accomplishments. However, this kind of pride is not only unbecoming but also prevents us from recognizing our need for God. The Bible teaches us that God is the example of humility, a realistic assessment of who we are and our place in the world. As we see in Psalm 139:14, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

The Antidote for Pride

The antidote for pride is humility, which takes a realistic picture of ourselves, recognizing our strengths and weaknesses. Humility is not about belittling ourselves or feeling inadequate, but about recognizing our limitations and acknowledging our dependence on God. As the Bible says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded" (James 4:8). Humility is not about self-deprecation, but about recognizing our need for God and His mercy.

A Realistic View of Self

When we compare ourselves to others, we often find ourselves wanting to be better, to have more, or to achieve more. But this kind of comparison can lead to pride and arrogance. Instead, we should focus on our relationship with God and recognize our dependence on Him. As the Bible says, "We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10). We are not defined by our accomplishments or our weaknesses, but by our relationship with God. By recognizing our dependence on Him, we can cultivate humility and a realistic view of ourselves.