There are two kinds of pride. A good kind and a bad kind.
What is the difference? Indeed, what is the difference?
The Good Kind
God created man in his image. He delegated him to rule the earth in his name, to subdue it. To make things of it. To steward it. He gives him gifts and talents to steward for his glory. Man should delight to function in these, to push himself to the limits of these for their own sake, for the Lord’s sake, because of the joy it brings.
Isn’t that the way we were made to function? Would there be an exaltation in being man that would not rob glory from the Creator? Could we not exult and still honor the one who is greater still than we could ever be?
Could we not glory in Being itself? Could we not take great joy in breaking out, and out, and out still further? Could we not glory in doing a job well done, in bringing order to chaos, or chaos to totalitarianism?
Could we view other men as intrinsic equals who are free to pursue the end of their own merits and potential? Could we judge them, but not impartially, and not from a desire to defeat them, or to dominate them, or to take pride over them? Could we love them and love their achievements as much as our own? Could we not give glory to God who made them as well as us? Could we not join together in a “wise crowd,” and pool our talents, and energy? Could we not glorify God in this pursuit?
Could we not speak the truth to one another unashamedly? Fearlessly? Lovingly, without fear of rejection? Rejection is a sign that someone is unworthy of us because they are not bearing God’s image properly. We can love them and move on.
The good kind of pride loves life, affirms it. The good kind of pride loves the Great God who made us, and Jesus Christ, the best of us. The good kind of pride loves its fellow man and expects the best of them, won’t settle for less. Won’t settle for less than total truth, total effort, total godliness, total righteousness.
The Bad Kind
The bad kind of pride is envious of others. The bad kind of pride seeks the recognition of men and puffs up when it gets it. The bad kind of pride gets mad at God for not making me better that I am, which means better than the men around me. The bad kind of pride seeks the worship of others. The bad kind of pride hates. Hating one is hating all. Hating anyone is hating myself. Hating myself is hating God.
The bad pride is suspicious of everyone and keeps score of status. The bad kind of pride revels in dominating others because of our deep fear that we are nothing. There is no joy in the bad pride. There’s only suffering, arrogance, depression, anger, and fear. The bad pride is hell.
Cultivating the Good Pride
- Know God.
- Abide in God.
- Do right.
- Abide in God.
- When you have a chance to be courageous or cowardly, be courageous.
- Abide in God.
- When you have the chance to lie or tell the truth, tell the truth.
- Abide in God.
- When you have the chance to be responsible, or irresponsible with what God has assigned you (brushing your teeth, starting a company, raising a child), be responsible.
- Abide in God.
- When you see that you are holding a contradiction that to let go of will cause pain, choose to let go and go through pain. Wholeness and integrity is worth it.
- Abide in God.
The good pride comes from knowing who God is, who you are in light of that, and walking according to what that means. It feels like being solid, settled in soul, happy, strong in spirit, and loving towards all. It feels like perfect peace. Don’t settle for less, and don’t go for the satanic bad pride. It’s hell.
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