Avoiding Pride When Evaluating Non-Biblical Examples Theologically
Pride is a sin that is hateful to God and can originate from various sources, including self-righteousness, religious privileges, unsanctified knowledge, inexperience, and the possession of power or wealth [3]. When evaluating non-biblical examples theologically, avoiding pride is crucial because pride can lead to strife and a carnal spirit [1].
The Bible consistently warns against pride. Proverbs 13:10 states that "By pride comes nothing but strife," and Proverbs 28:25 notes that "He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife" [1]. This indicates that pride can directly fuel conflict, which is contrary to the example of Christ, who avoided strife [1]. Habakkuk 2:4 declares that God has "no pleasure" in the man of pride [5].
Pride can manifest in several ways that hinder theological evaluation. For instance, it can lead to self-will and stubbornness, which proceed from pride and an evil heart [6]. This can prevent individuals from hearkening to God or receiving correction [6]. The apostle Paul, despite receiving abundant revelations, recognized the danger of being "exalted above measure" through them, acknowledging that knowledge and revelations are apt to "puff up with spiritual pride" unless grace intervenes [13].
Furthermore, pride can cause individuals to seek glory from one another rather than from God, making belief difficult [2]. John Gill, in his commentary on 1 Timothy 3:6, warns against appointing a "novice" to a position of leadership, "lest being lifted up with pride" through the dignity of the office [10]. This highlights how even spiritual roles can become a source of pride. Similarly, Tyndale House's commentary on 1 Corinthians 4:7 notes that pride in a leader stems from a failure to recognize that all gifts come from God, emphasizing that "humble gratitude is the only appropriate attitude" [9].
Calvin, in his commentary on Isaiah, observed how pride can manifest in various social strata, where individuals consider themselves above others, leading to arrogance [7]. He also noted that even in commendable acts, internal conflicts and modesty are essential to avoid pride [8]. The apostle Paul also stated that boasting is not profitable for him, preferring to focus on visions and revelations from the Lord rather than self-exaltation [4]. He also cautioned against glorying in one's own works, urging individuals to "prove his own work" and find rejoicing in himself alone, rather than comparing himself to others [11, 12].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Strife — Christ, an example of avoiding -- Isa 42:2; Mt 12:15-19; Lu 9:52-56; 1Pe 2:23. Forbidden -- Pr 3:30; 25:8. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. An evidence of a carnal spirit -- 1Co 3:3. Existed in the church -- 1Co 1:11. Excited by Hatred. -- Pr 10:12. Pride. -- Pr 13:10; 28:25. Wrath. -- Pr 15:18; 30:33. Frowardness. -- Pr 16:28. A contentious disposition. -- Pr 26:21. Tale-bearing. -- Pr 26:20. Drunkenness. -- Pr 23:29,30. Lusts. -- Jas 4:1. Curious questions. -- 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 2:23. Scorning. -- Pr 22:10. Difficulty of stopping, a reason for avoiding it -- Pr 1”
- John “John 5:44 (BSB) — How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Pride — Is sin -- Pr 21:4. Hateful to God -- Pr 6:16,17; 16:5. Hateful to Christ -- Pr 8:12,13. Often originates in Self-righteousness. -- Lu 18:11,12. Religious privileges. -- Zep 3:11. Unsanctified knowledge. -- 1Co 8:1. Inexperience. -- 1Ti 3:6. Possession of power. -- Le 26:19; Eze 30:6. Possession of wealth. -- 2Ki 20:13. Forbidden -- 1Sa 2:3; Ro 12:3,16. Defiles a man -- Mr 7:20,22. Hardens the mind -- Da 5:20. Saints give not away. -- Ps 131:1. Respect not, in others. -- Ps 40:4. Mourn over, in others. -- Jer 13:17. Hate, in others. -- Ps 101:5. A hindrance to”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 12:1 (YLT) — To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.”
- Habakkuk “Habakkuk 2:4 (BBE) — As for the man of pride, my soul has no pleasure in him; but the upright man will have life through his good faith.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Will and Stubbornness — Forbidden -- 2Ch 30:8; Ps 75:5; 95:8. Proceed from Unbelief. -- 2Ki 17:14. Pride. -- Ne 9:16,29. An evil heart. -- Jer 7:24. God knows -- Isa 48:4. Exhibited in Refusing to hearken to God. -- Pr 1:24. Refusing to hearken to the messengers of God. -- 1Sa 8:19; Jer 44:16; Zec 7:11. Refusing to walk in the ways of God. -- Ne 9:17; Ps 78:10; Isa 42:24; Jer 6:16. Refusing to hearken to parents. -- De 21:18,19. Refusing to receive correction. -- De 21:18; Jer 5:3; 7:28. Rebelling against God. -- De 31:27; Ps 78:8. Resisting the Holy Spirit. -- ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 11.12: are on a level with princes, and that they are above all other men except kings; and even the factors look on men of rank as beneath them. I have been told, too, that at Antwerp there are factors who do not hesitate to lay out expenses which the wealthiest of the nobility could not support. We are wont to put questions, when no reply can be given but what we wish; and this is an indication of boldness. 9. To profane the pride, or, to profane the loftiness; for it may be read either way, because loftiness leads to pride, and where loftiness o”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 3.3: rendered evident by convincing proofs, that she carried a more than masculine mind in woman’s breast. And I wish that at length even men may be put to shame, and that useful emulation may stimulate them to imitate her example. For she conducted herself with such peculiar modesty, that scarcely any one would have supposed her capable of thus enduring the most violent attacks, and, at the same time, of courageously repelling them. Besides, how keenly God exercised her with internal conflicts but few persons are witnesses, of whom, ho”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 4:7: 4:7 Pride in a particular leader results from failure to realize that everything is a gift from God. There is no room for pride; humble gratitude is the only appropriate attitude.”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 3:6: Not a novice,.... Or one newly planted, the Arabic version adds, "in the faith"; meaning not a young man, for so was Timothy himself; but a young professor and church member; one that is lately come to the knowledge of the truth, and has just embraced and professed it, and become a member of a church, a new plant there: so the Hebrew word "a plant", is by the Septuagint in Job 14:9 rendered by this very word. The reason why such a person should not be a bishop, elder, or pastor of a church, is, lest being lifted up with pride; through the dignity of the office he ”
- Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 6:4: But let every man prove his own work,.... Not concern himself about the actions and works of others; let him review his own heart and actions; let him examine, try, and prove his whole conduct in life by the rule of God's word, when he will find enough at home, without bearing hard upon, and censuring others: and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another; which is either ironically said, he will then see what reason he has to rejoice and glory in his own works, and vaunt over others, and to boast of his performances, and despise others; so ”
- Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 6:13: But God forbid that I should glory,.... The apostle, on the contrary, expresses his aversion to glorying in anything these men did; not in his outward carnal privileges, as a Jew; nor in his moral, civil, and legal righteousness; nor in his gifts and attainments; nor in his labours and success, as of himself; nor in the flesh of others, or in any outward corporeal subjection to any ordinance, legal or evangelical; his glorying and rejoicing were rather in the spirituality, the faith, hope, love, patience, order, and steadfastness of the saints, than in anything in ”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 12:5: And lest I should be exalted above measure,.... Over much elated in his mind, and swelled with a vain conceit of himself: through the abundance of the revelations; for he had not only one or two, or a few, but an abundance of them; and which, as everything does but grace, tended to lift up his mind, to stir up the pride of his heart, and to entertain too high and exalted thoughts of himself. Pride is naturally in every man's heart; converted persons are not without it; knowledge, gifts, and revelations are apt to puff up with spiritual pride, unless counterba”