The Good and Bad sides of Pride

Pride comes in two forms: Bad and Good.

 1. Bad pride is the sin of vain glory. Vain glory is an inordinate desire to be in the limelight by using spiritual giftedness to attract attention and applause. It’s vain because it’s a distorted self-centered desire void of biblical Christian virtue. This condition can sometimes occur when a person is covering up moral failure.  Vainglory is excessive pride that can lead to authoritarianism, moral failures, and other bad decisions, creating bad consequences for oneself and others.

Positional power can cause some to be prideful to the point of vain self-glory. Because power can become an aphrodisiac to the prideful leader, giving them a sense of vain superiority leading to moral failures of various kinds and levels.

 Solomon said, “Pride comes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall” (Pro. 16:18).

2. Good pride is non-sinful self-affirmation.

Self-affirmation happens when you develop healthy self-esteem from your God-directed accomplishments. When we humble ourselves and give God the glory, we establish a healthy, non-sinful pride. Jesus said, “Let your light shine so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven!” (Matt.5:16)

The best course is the second when we humble ourselves and rejoice in what God is doing through us!

 “When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom” (Pro. 11:2).