A Place for Pride?

It earned a spot among the Seven Deadly Sins. It comes (or goeth, if you like the older term) before a fall. It can be a synonym for arrogance. Fables warn against it.
Yet . . .
Pride has its place. Paul, the writer of the beautifully poetic (and divinely inspired) words in Philippians about Christ's humility, encouraged his readers to "in humility value others above yourselves" but also encouraged similar believers to take pride.

Galatians 6:4 (NIV)
Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else

It seems, then, that pride has its place. Having read that last sentence, be aware that the proverbial slope is slippery. For avoiding a speedy descent, I find the words of Mary Fairchild very helpful.

"Pride becomes sinful when it is excessively self-focused and self-elevating. This kind of pride is what most often appears in the Bible. The biblical sin of pride refers to a high or exalted attitude--the opposite of the virtue of humility, which is the appropriate posture people ought to have with God."
www.learningreligions.com (10.28.2020)

All sins (not just 7) are deadly in that sin moves our focus away from God.

A beautiful thing happens when we look intently at God through His word; we learn humility. No one can look into the 'face" of God and continue in pride (the sinful kind). All who look to God can, however, learn to see their own God-given value. Read Galatians again.

Galatians 6:4 (NIV)
Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else

When we compare ourselves with God (honestly, that is), we will always recognize our less-than-Him state. When we compare ourselves with others, however, we risk concluding that we are more than.

You are better at certain skills (art, sports, music, etc.) than some of the people around you. That said, some people around you are better than you at other skills, and even some of the same skills. While not all records are broken, most of them are. You will be stuck in a comparison loop if you choose the pride that has become self-focused and self-elevating.

So where does that leave us? It leaves us free to choose a God-focused and God-elevating perspective that can also help us take pride in ourselves.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Focus on God.
2. Take pride (the good kind) in your abilities.
3. Compliment others for their abilities.
4. Be aware of the slippery slope.
5. Do your best.
6. Don't concern yourself with others' best.

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Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death--even death on a cross!

#ordinarylives