PRIDE
The Bible states that God finds human pride abhorrent. Pride, or arrogance, is considered the root of all evil. It tempts people to elevate themselves above God and others. The Tower of Babel, recounted in the Holy Scriptures, is an expression of human rebellion against their Creator. This spirit of rebellion has shaped human history to this day. It is no coincidence that certain ideological movements use the word "pride" as a guiding principle for their sociopolitical agenda. Even if "freedom and human dignity" are officially propagated, it is in reality another act of rebellion against God, disguised under the hypocritical guise of goodness....
Pride, or arrogance, has different facets. There are many attitudes that we perceive as normal in our society, but behind which pride hides: for example, self-determination, selfishness, self-confidence, self-righteousness, self-pity, self-satisfaction, or self-actualization. The urge to always be faster, better, bigger, or stronger than others has nothing to do with natural instincts, but is an expression of pride. Pride, in turn, has its roots in man's separation from God. There are many things that can tempt people to be proud: be it their knowledge and skills, their appearance, their race, their success, or their material wealth. Often, it is simply about self-affirmation and gaining the recognition of others. Ambition is also a form of pride; one that God equally abhors.
In the Bible, God reveals to us that He opposes arrogant people and that proud people can neither impress nor please God. Pride blinds people to God and focuses our attention on ourselves rather than on our Creator and Father. Scripture also warns that arrogance causes people to stumble. Pride has been the downfall of many rulers and kings throughout history, bringing about their downfall and even the ruin of entire nations.
While God expressly hates pride, He is pleased with those with a humble heart. Humility means acknowledging that God is above us humans and that we owe our existence and all the good things in life solely to God. This means that there is nothing we humans can be proud of. Rather, it is God who deserves all our recognition. Humility is the opposite of pride. A humble person does not seek honor for themselves but always values God's will and the well-being of others above themselves. Here, too, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, serves as our example. Jesus, who knew no pride or ambition, explains that God humbles those who honor themselves, while he exalts those who give God the glory in everything, allowing them to be honored above others. This is precisely what Jesus modeled for us. The willingness to submit to God and His commandments brings blessings from God and peace for all people.
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness” ;and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”
For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (...) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.