Proverbs 16:5 - Proud in Heart

Proverbs 16:5 - Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah: Though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. -- Proverbs 16:5, American Standard Version. 

 ONE of the severe ordeals of the New Creature is the conquering of the love of the spirit of worldliness under the leadership of pride. Worldly pride challenges faith in God and obedience to Him, and only those who are of good courage and full of confidence in Jehovah can overcome this giant. It is necessary, too, that the victory should be made complete -- that pride should be thoroughly humiliated, killed, so that it can never rise up again to destroy us. It is an individual battle, and the only proper armament against this giant is a stone from the brook, the message of Jehovah, showing us what is pleasing and acceptable in His sight, and assuring us that he that humbleth himself shall be exalted and he that exalteth himself shall be abased. As the poet has expressed it: "Where boasting ends, true dignity begins." -- Based on excerpt from "Our Sufficiency of God", ZWT, August 15, 1903.

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Pride is excessive self-esteem. It is self-conceit. One should not confuse pride with a proper self-estimation of one's abilities. Having appreciation of one's abilities, however, should be humbly recognized for the purpose that one would make use of those abilities in a proper manner for whatever purpose, whether it be to serve God, to help others, or to provide for oneself and one's family, etc.

However, we should note that due to the crooked condition of mankind condemned in Adam, that the natural tendency of one's heart is toward pride, and often it is difficult for one to even realize that he is proud in heart. One with a prideful heart will be more concerned about self, conceited, with prejudice toward others, refrain from association with those considered less esteemed, with forms of self-rightousness, often ungrateful or unthankful, self-centered, and yet is deceived into thinking he is humble. Nevertheless, one with a prideful heart may often lie (even to himself) so as to outwardly appear to be the grateful, thankful, etc. Thus to identify pride in one's own heart requires a thorough self-examination of thoughts and motives, and great deal of leaning upon Jehovah and his Son for strength and help in the overcoming of this prideful tendency. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

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For those consecrated to God, one of the greatest dangers of developing pride in their hearts is what some have called "spiritual pride". Indeed, many start out with such a pride, often being involved with some form of sectarianism. This kind of pride usually involves the acceptance of various teachings of man or a body of men, or of esteeming one's own conclusions more highly than should be. The pride in having what is esteemed to be a certain understanding becomes a reason to disapprove of other Christians who may disagree in some way. This attitude often leads one to refuse to associate with or accept certain ones in fellowship who do not agree with the accepted conclusions. Scriptures are often used to back up such sectarianism, so that those who would have such a spiritual pride may feel justified in their prideful condition of heart. While we believe that most professing Christians are not true Christians, we do not believe that we are given any special authority to judge who is and who is not truly consecrated to God. Even among the truly consecrated, there are those who at are various levels of understanding and development in character. Indeed, we believe many will remain as babes in Christ throughout their present lives. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

Related Scriptures:

1 Samuel 2:3

Job 40:12

Psalm 10:2-7

Psalm 10:11

Proverbs 3:32

Proverbs  6:16-19

Proverbs 8:13

Proverbs 11:20

Proverbs 12:22

Proverbs 15:8,9

Proverbs 15:26

Proverbs 21:27

Proverbs 24:9

Proverbs 28:9

Proverbs 29:27

Isaiah 2:12

Jeremiah 9:23,24

Jeremiah 13:15

Ezekiel 16:49

Matthew 6:5

Mark 7:21,22

Luke 16:15

Romans 2:8,9

2 Timothy 3: 2

James 4: 6

1 John 2:16

The Chosen Vessel

The Master was searching for a vessel to use;

On the shelf there were many —

Which one would he choose?

Take me, cried the gold one, I’m shiny and bright,

I’m of great value and I do things just right.

My beauty and luster will outshine the rest

And for someone like you, Master, gold would be best!

The Master passed on with no word at all;

He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall;

I’ll serve you, dear Master, I’ll pour out your wine

And I’ll be at your table whenever you dine,

My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,

And my silver will always compliment you.

Unheeding, the Master passed on to the brass.

It was wide-mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.

Here! Here! cried the vessel, I know I will do,

Place me on your table for all men to view.

Look at me, called the goblet of crystal so clear,

My transparency shows my contents so dear,

Though fragile am I, I will serve you with pride,

And I’m sure I’ll be happy in your house to abide.

The Master came next to a vessel of wood,

Polished and carved, it solidly stood.

You may use me, dear Master, the wooden bowl said,

But I’d rather you used me for fruit, not for bread!

Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay.

Empty and broken it helplessly lay.

No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,

To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.

Ah! This is the vessel I’ve been hoping to find,

I will mend it and use it and make it all mine.

I need not the vessel with pride of itself;

Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;

Nor the one who is big-mouthed and shallow and loud;

Nor one who displays his contents so proud;

Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right;

But this plain earthy vessel filled with my power and might.

Then gently he lifted the vessel of clay.

Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.

Spoke to it kindly …

There’s work you must do,

Just pour out to others as I pour into you.

By Beulah V. Cornwall