Self-pride and Christianity have been debated time and time again. Although many people believe self-pride and vanity goes against Christianity and its teachings, others argue it is a more nuanced topic and there is no straightforward answer. In this article, we will examine what the Bible says about pride and boasting, the different ways to exercise self-pride without being boastful, and how you can use pride to motivate yourself through Christianity.
What is the Bible’s Take on Pride?
The Bible is explicit in its warnings against taking pride in oneself. In Proverbs 11:2, it says, “Pride brings a person low, while the lowly in spirit gain honor.” James 4:10 also warns us to “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” It’s easy to see why some people interpret these passages as anti-self-pride.
The Shifting Definition of Pride
However, not all experts agree that the Bible is anti-self-pride. According to Stephen Bethune, author of The Bible and Self-Pride, the concept of pride has shifted over time. In the Bible, “pride” was often used pejoratively to refer to boastfulness, arrogance, and self-exaltation. However, nowadays, the word is more often used in a positive sense to refer to something like self-respect.
Pride through Accomplishment
According to Alethea Fey, Psychology Professor at Texas Christian University, pride can still be a healthy, productive emotion in a Christian context. Fey explains that “Pride in oneself can drive us to do great things and be our best selves. It can improve our self-esteem, and provide us with the energy to take on life’s challenges.” She explains that pridefrom accomplishment– such as learning a new skill, graduating with a degree, or completing a challenging task – can be viewed as a positive emotion in Christianity.
The Limits of Self-Pride
But there are also certain limits to self-pride that Christians should be aware of. The Bible instructs us to “put not your trust in princes” (Psalm 146:3), meaning that we should not put too much stock in ourselves and our own capabilities. As Bethune explains, “It is important to recognize that faith should not be prematurely placed in our own abilities, and that anything we do is only possible through Christ.”
Pride Can Motivate
But despite these warnings, self-pride can still be a huge motivating force. According to Fey, “Pride can push us to reach higher, to do better and to be positive role models for others. It is an important tool for developing our potential as individuals and for contributing to a greater good.” She believes that pride can give us the determination to succeed and can help us to stay focused and focused on our goals, even when times are tough.
Be Humble but Don’t Undervalue Yourself
In conclusion, it’s important to commune with your pride but stay grounded in your faith. As Bethune explains, “We should strive to be humble and recognize that anything we do is only possible through Christ. But at the same time, we should not let this humility lead to a lack of self-value. So long as we are humble and prioritize Christ, then feeling pride in our accomplishments can be an important part of exercising faith in our lives and becoming the people God has created us to be.”
Integrity and Self-Awareness
One way to keep pride in check while still allowing yourself to take pride in your achievements is to be aware of your motivations. The Bible calls us to live lives of integrity, so it’s important to be honest with ourselves about why we are doing things – are you doing it out of love and compassion or out of pride? Being aware of your motivations can help you stay honest and ensure that your faith remains strong.
Overcoming Pride in Hardships
Another important part of faith is being able to recognize and humble yourself in the face of hardship and failure. We all struggle with pride at some point in our lives and it is important to learn to accept our mistakes and ask for grace from God. Taking an honest look at yourself and your motivations, recognizing your shortcomings and vulnerabilities, and asking for forgiveness can help to ensure that your faith stays strong.
Living in Humility and Gratitude
The key to living a life of faith and pride is maintaining a balance between humble acceptance of your shortcomings and taking pride in your accomplishments. As Bethune explains, “It’s important to remember that pride should not be an end in itself but should be used to motivate us to achieve the goal of living like Christ. We can take pride in our abilities, talents, and accomplishments, while still remembering to thank God for them and give Him the glory.”
Knowing Your Limit
Another important way to stay grounded in our faith is to know our limits. Bethune explains, “We should always remember to be humble, recognizing that anything we do is only possible through Christ. We should also be aware of how our pride can get in the way of our spiritual growth. We should use it as a tool to motivate ourselves, but not let it consume us.”
Centering Pride in Christ
At the end of the day, pride in oneself can be a positive emotion and motivator, so lone as it is centered around Christ. As Fey explains, “It is important to remember that pride in oneself should be an extension of our faith in Jesus. Priding ourselves on being good Christians, doing good works, and striving to be more like Christ is something no Christian can argue with.”
