Worry and Anxiety as Expressions of Pride in Scripture
The biblical concept that worry and anxiety can be expressions of pride is rooted in the understanding that excessive concern for oneself and one's circumstances can stem from an inflated sense of self-importance. Scripture associates pride with a multitude of negative emotions and behaviors, including anger, strife, and a lack of trust in God [3, 4].
In the biblical text, pride is often linked with a haughty spirit and an elevated sense of one's own status. For instance, the prophet Jeremiah describes Moab as being "very proud; his loftiness, and his pride, and his arrogance, and the haughtiness of his heart" [1]. Similarly, the one tradition notes that "pride is like a chain around their neck" [2]. This imagery suggests that pride can be a suffocating and enslaving force.
The connection between pride and anxiety or worry is implicit in the biblical wisdom literature. Proverbs 21:24 describes the proud as "proud and haughty; scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath" [9]. This "proud wrath" can be understood as a manifestation of the anxiety and frustration that arises from an inflated sense of self-importance. Matthew Henry's commentary on this verse notes that pride "makes them passionate, and kindles in them the fire of proud wrath" [9].
Furthermore, the biblical text suggests that a preoccupation with one's own concerns can be a hindrance to faith and trust in God. According to Matthew Henry, those who are "at ease" and unconcerned about their spiritual state are actually in a precarious position, as they are not aware of the dangers that surround them [7]. In contrast, those who are aware of their own limitations and vulnerabilities are more likely to cultivate a sense of humility and dependence on God.
In the Puritan tradition, this understanding of pride and anxiety is further developed. Ezekiel's commentary on the prince of Tyrus highlights the dangers of pride and the importance of humility [5]. Similarly, Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms 10:1 notes that David's distress is exacerbated by his perception that God is "afar off" [8].
The Baptist/Reformed tradition also emphasizes the importance of humility and trust in God. John Gill's commentary on Proverbs 8:13 notes that "the fear of the Lord is to hate evil" and that this fear is characterized by a reverential affection for God [6].
Sources
- Jeremiah “We have heard of the pride of Moab. He is very proud; his loftiness, and his pride, and his arrogance, and the haughtiness of his heart. -- Jeremiah 48:29”
- Psalms “Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment. -- Psalms 73:6”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Anger — Forbidden -- Ec 7:9; Mt 5:22; Ro 12:19. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. A characteristic of fools -- Pr 12:16; 14:29; 27:3; Ec 7:9. Connected with Pride. -- Pr 21:24. Cruelty. -- Ge 49:7; Pr 27:3,4. Clamour and evil-speaking. -- Eph 4:31. Malice and blasphemy. -- Col 3:8. Strife and contention. -- Pr 21:19; 29:22; 30:33. Brings its own punishment -- Job 5:2; Pr 19:19; 25:28. Grievous words stir up -- Jdj 12:4; 2Sa 19:43; Pr 15:1. Should not betray us into sin -- Ps 37:8; Eph 4:26. In prayer be free from -- 1Ti 2:8. May be averted by wisdom -- Pr 29:8. Meeknes”
- 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”
- Ezekiel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ezekiel 28:1: We had done with Tyrus in the foregoing chapter, but now the prince of Tyrus is to be singled out from the rest. Here is something to be said to him by himself, a message to him from God, which the prophet must send him, whether he will hear or whether he will forbear. I. He must tell him of his pride. His people are proud (Eze 27:3) and so is he; and they shall both be made to know that God resists the proud. Let us see, 1. What were the expressions of his pride: His heart was lifted up, Eze 28:2. He had a great conceit of himself, was puffed up with an opinion ”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 8:13: The fear of the Lord is to hate evil,.... All evil in general, evil thoughts, evil words, evil actions, evil company, evil worship, and evil doctrines; and by "the fear of the Lord", which shows itself in an hatred of evil, because of the loathsome nature of it, and being contrary to God and his will, and as it appears in the glass of the law, and especially in the glass of pardoning love, is meant not the fear of his judgments and wrath, or a distrust of his grace and goodness, much less an hypocritical fear, or a mere show of devotion; but a reverential affection ”
- Amos (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Amos 6:1: The first words of the chapter are the contents of these verses; but they sound very strangely, and contrary to the sentiments of a vain world: Woe to those that are at ease! We are ready to say, Happy are those that are at ease, that neither feel any trouble nor fear any, that lie soft and warm, and lay nothing to heart; and wise we think are those that do so, that bathe themselves in the delights of sense and care not how the world goes. Those are looked upon as doing well for themselves that do well for their bodies and make much of them; but against them this woe”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 10:1: David, in these verses, discovers, I. A very great affection to God and his favour; for, in the time of trouble, that which he complains of most feelingly is God's withdrawing his gracious presence (Psa 10:1): "Why standest thou afar off, as one unconcerned in the indignities done to thy name and the injuries done to the people?" Note, God's withdrawings are very grievous to his people at any time, but especially in times of trouble. Outward deliverance is afar off and is hidden from us, and then we think God is afar off and we therefore want inward comfort; but t”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 21:24: See here the mischief of pride and haughtiness. 1. It exposes men to sin; it makes them passionate, and kindles in them the fire of proud wrath. They are continually dealing in it, as if it were their trade to be angry, and they had nothing so much to do as to barter passions and exchange bitter words. Most of the wrath that inflames the spirits and societies of men is proud wrath. Men cannot bear the least slight, nor in any thing to be crossed or contradicted, but they are out of humour, nay, in a heat, immediately. It likewise makes them scornful when they a”