Pride is opposed to humility as a polar opposite.In short, here is the problem. I am proud, not humble. If I try to act humble, I have just added hypocrisy to my sin of pride. <smiles> For humility is unnatural for me. Thus, like many of the things Jesus requires of us that are humanly impossible, "without Him we can do nothing". But with Him... we can.
Specifically, rather than getting mad when humiliating things and circumstances emerge, I can rejoice! I knew I needed to be humble, not proud; and found I could not do this myself. Now, if and when He does it for me, rather than resist I can rejoice.
We can be "rightly proud" of our work--it if is good, as the Scripture says (Gal 6:4). But being proud of ourselves is always a sin.
Pr 16:18 (NIV) Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.Pr 18:12 (NIV) Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honour.
Pr 29:23 (NIV) A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honour.
Pr 16:5 (NIV) The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
2Ch 26:16 (NIV) But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall...
Dan 4:37 (NIV) "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble."
Rom 12:16 (NIV) Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
1Pet 5:5 (NIV) ...All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Luke 18:14 (NIV) "...For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Mic 6:8 (NIV) He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
