Pride: King James Version – Dictionary: Inordinate self esteem; an unreasonable conceit of ones own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve,and often in contempt of others.

Vanity: King James Version – Dictionary: Inflation of mind upon slight grounds; empty pride, inspired by and overweening conceit of one’s personal attainments or decorations.

Every Scripture researched has condemned “pride.” It started in the garden of Eden with Eve being tempted of Satan.

“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her: and he did eat.” Genesis 3:6

We move over into the book of Esther and find that Haman was filled with pride, and so much so, he wanted all of God’s people killed.

“After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. Then the king’s servants which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment? Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.” Esther 3:1-6

“Let nothing be done through vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Philippians 2:3

“And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou dist not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”
I Corinthians 4:6-7

“But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:6

Pride gives ourselves the glory in the place of giving God the glory to Whom it belongs. God is the One that sustains us, not ourselves. Wanting to lift ourselves beyond our place lies at the heart of pride. Prideful people are so consumed with themselves that their hearts are not with God. Their only focus is upon self, and they believe they have no need of God.

“Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
Proverbs 16:19
“And the Devil did grin, for his darling sin
Is pride that apes humility.” ~ Samuel Coleridge

“It’s the turned-up-nose group that is so proud of so little. They crave halos when they are not holy, chief seats when they are not leaders, honor when they are not honorable, and recognition while they hope what they are will not be recognized.

They have fed on the wrong stuff!” ~ Leroy Brownlow
Eileen Light