Pride and humility. Two completely different dichotomies. One of them, pride, is a prevalent evil in our society and has been since the beginning of time (Genesis 3). The other, humility, is looked down upon as something only the weak and religious aspire to.
Pride and Humility: The Greatest Evil
C.S. Lewis and other Christian teachers agree pride is the greatest evil.
Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind…… it is Pride which has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began.*
C.S. Lewis
This is evident in Genesis 3 when the devil, disguised as a snake, deceived Eve and Adam to be like God and know the difference between good and evil. Believing the devil’s lies in our work and lives is the cause of misery, anxiety, depression, and brokenness in our lives and families.
How Pride Affects Our Lives
We are so caught up in the devil’s lies that we don’t realize the prevalence of his work in our lives. How often have we had negative thoughts that have spiraled us down into a mild or deep depression?
This is why Paul reminds us to pray about everything instead of worrying (Philippians 4:6 ESV). And then he tells us HOW we should think.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 ESV
Choosing to think about things in this manner is living a life of holiness. These traits come from God himself, and thoughts like this will keep the deceitful lies of the evil one far away.
How Pride Affects Our Work
Pride is prevalent in our work as well. People are working many hours to climb the corporate ladder or get ahead of the next person in their department. Depending on your industry, the competition can be fierce or subtle. I spoke about wanting to be promoted with my boss and others around me. But internally, it was something that I frequently thought about.
I worked many hours to get the work done. The stress was affecting my health. And honestly, all the hard work was being done for the wrong reasons. It was to honor me so I could be promoted.
A week before my job change a few years back, I read this verse below and broke down crying in prayer.
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 15:33 ESV
I believe that God was stripping me of the pride in my life so that I could accept the humble tasks ahead of me. You can read more about my business story and how I humbled myself before God due to my pride.
Pride and Humility: The Greatest Friend
Humbleness and humility is one thing that is lacking when we consider pride in the workplace. This world is full of broken people who want to take credit for something and be seen in a good light. But the person’s attitude puts them in a place of having themselves be at the center. It is the pride that will bring him low.
One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
Proverbs 29:23 ESV
To be in a place of honor, our spirit needs to be one of humility. Solomon added that it is better to be in this lowly state than to be prideful and participate in the spoils.
It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Proverbs 16:19 ESV
In the Old Testament, the warriors of war would bring back the bounty of what they acquired in the victory. It could be money or gold from the king’s treasury or prisoners of war. This verse’s Hebrew word for a spoil can also mean ‘gain.’
It is far better to be humble than to gain from pride. Instead, being humble leads to success in our work.
I believe Jesus is our greatest friend. But I love this quote because it contrasts pride and humility like enemies and friends.
Pride is your greatest enemy, humility is your greatest friend.
John R.W. Stott
Benefits of Humility
Pride affects us in many ways. It can cause health issues, break up families, and lead us down the path of believing the lies of the evil one. And that can lead to more health issues and even down the path of eternal separation from God.
But there are so many benefits of humility in the Bible! Check out those benefits today and begin living a life focused on God instead of our self-centered pride.
*Terrants, Thomas A, CS Lewis Institute Web Page, cited on October 16, 2022. Quote from Mere Christianity by CS Lewis.
