Exhibiting Pride and Arrogance in Christian Walk Examples
Pride and arrogance manifest in various ways within the Christian walk, often hindering spiritual growth and one's relationship with God and others. One significant example is the tendency to engage in strife, which is explicitly linked to pride in Proverbs 13:10 and 28:25 [1]. Such contention is considered a "work of the flesh" and an "evidence of a carnal spirit" [1]. Christ, in contrast, exemplified avoiding strife, as seen in passages like Isaiah 42:2 and Matthew 12:15-19 [1].
Another form of pride is the belief that one can achieve spiritual cleansing or a closer relationship with God through personal righteousness. Augustine of Hippo argued against this, stating that such pride itself stains individuals above all other sins, as it opposes divine law and gives "that proudest of spirits" (the devil) a greater right of mastery [6]. John Calvin similarly noted that to make way for Christ's call, one must "put far from us all arrogance and confidence" [5]. He emphasized that true humility involves giving God "the whole glory," lest "vain pride cause him to turn away his face" [9]. Calvin also connected self-denial, which Christ strongly enforced (Matthew 16:24), with the absence of pride, show, and ostentation [7].
In Jewish tradition, walking with an "upright posture and in an arrogant manner" is seen as pushing away the "feet of the Divine Presence" [8, 10, 11]. This is because "The entire world is full of His glory" (Isaiah 6:3), and an arrogant walk demonstrates a lack of regard for God's pervasive presence [8, 10, 11]. This perspective highlights how even physical demeanor can reflect an internal state of pride.
The concept of self-denial, exemplified by Christ (Matthew 4:8-10, John 6:38), is presented as a necessary antidote to pride. It is a test of devotion and essential for following Christ, involving the denial of ungodliness, worldly lusts, and the control of appetite [2]. Ministers are particularly called to exercise self-denial [2]. Conversely, a lack of self-denial allows "the foulest vices" to be indulged without shame [7].
Humility, the opposite of pride, is a virtue that saints are encouraged to seek and put on (Zephaniah 2:3, Colossians 3:12-13) [3]. It is precious in God's sight (1 Peter 3:4) and is a characteristic of Christ himself (Matthew 11:29) [3]. The Psalms also connect truth, humility, and justice as qualities for which one should ride forth in victory (Psalm 45:4) [4].
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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
- Psalms “Psalms 45:4 (BSB) — In your splendor ride forth in victory on behalf of truth and humility and justice; may your right hand show your awesome deeds.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 67: that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness,” ( Isa. 61:1-3 ). In fulfillment of that mission, the only persons whom he invites to share in his beneficence are the “weary and heavy laden.” In another passage he says, “ I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance,” ( Mt. 11:28 ; 9:13). 8. Therefore if we would make way for the call of Christ, we must put far from us all arrogance and confidenc”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 15.--THEY ARE PROUD WHO THINK THEY ARE ABLE, BY THEIR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, TO BE CLEANSED SO AS TO SEE GOD.: 20. There are, however, some who think themselves capable of being cleansed by their own righteousness, so as to contemplate God, and to dwell in God; whom their very pride itself stains above all others. For there is no 80 sin to which the divine law is more opposed, and over which that proudest of spirits, who is a mediator to things below, but a barrier against things above, receives a greater right of mastery: unless either his secr”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 62: has learned to look to God in everything he does, is at the same time diverted from all vain thoughts. This is that self-denial which Christ so strongly enforces on his disciples from the very outset ( Mt. 16:24 ), which, as soon as it takes hold of the mind, leaves no place either, first, for pride, show, and ostentation; or, secondly, for avarice, lust, luxury, effeminacy, or other vices which are engendered by self love. On the contrary, wherever it reigns not, the foulest vices are indulged in without shame; or, if there is som”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 128a.86:20: And he may not walk with an upright posture, but slightly bowed, as the Master said: One who walks with an upright posture and in an arrogant manner, even four cubits, it is as if he is pushing away the feet of the Divine Presence, as it is written: “The entire world is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3). One who walks in an arrogant way shows a lack of regard for the glory and honor of God that is surrounding him, and thereby chases God from that place.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: giving God the whole glory, lest by arrogating any thing, however little, to himself, vain pride cause him to turn away his face. Of this submission, which casts down all haughtiness, we have numerous examples in the servants of God. The holier they are, the more humbly they prostrate themselves when they come into the presence of the Lord. Thus Daniel, on whom the Lord himself bestowed such high commendation, says, “We do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness but for thy great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lor”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 43b.20: And he may not walk with an upright posture, but slightly bowed, as the Master said: One who walks with an upright posture and in an arrogant manner, even four cubits, it is as if he is pushing away the feet of the Divine Presence, as it is written: “The entire world is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3). One who walks in an arrogant way shows a lack of regard for the glory and honor of God that is surrounding him, and thereby chases God from that place.”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 128b.86:20: And he may not walk with an upright posture, but slightly bowed, as the Master said: One who walks with an upright posture and in an arrogant manner, even four cubits, it is as if he is pushing away the feet of the Divine Presence, as it is written: “The entire world is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3). One who walks in an arrogant way shows a lack of regard for the glory and honor of God that is surrounding him, and thereby chases God from that place.”