“ Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, “

Let’s continue.

13.)   “ proud “ - The Greek word “ huperephanous “ means appearing above others, haughty, arrogant, proud.

In the English language the word “ proud “ has a 2-fold meaning…one that is good and one that is bad.

Webster defines the word “ proud “ as - “ having or showing an overweening opinion of oneself, ones position, etc.; arrogant, haughty. “

Webster also defines the word “ proud “ as - “ Feeling or showing great pride or joy as from being honored.”

As with all these sins Paul listed that people do with intent to do harm to other people, he is talking about pride that is intended to look down at other people and cause harm to other people.

Keep in mind as we study this list of sins - there is consolation in the fact of knowing that if you are weary of being around people who indulge in these sins with intent to do you and other people harm, in Heaven you will not have to put up with people like this…according to Galatians 5:21.

Heaven will be different to life here. Heaven will be a better place to live than here.

It is this definition of the word “ proud “ - “ Feeling or showing great pride or joy as from being honored.” that describes the kind of pride that is acceptable to God as when the Lord exalts a born again christian.

Jesus said;

“ For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. “     Luke 14:11

God will bring a person down who exalts himself but God will also exalt a person who humbles himself.

Another example of a good kind of pride is when we have accomplished something, have a parent or child do something we are proud of, etc…

As I have said before, I’m proud of my Dad for keeping “ the faith” to his dying breath.

My Dad taught me to believe in Jesus when I was a child.

I’m proud of my Dad for this.

This is a good and acceptable kind of pride in God’s eyes.

God was obviously proud of Job, since He asked satan if he had observed His servant Job.

Have you ever wondered if God is proud of you?

That is a concern that I have for myself.

If you are on this kick in modern day evangelical philosophical rationale that “ if we could only see ourselves as God sees us “, then we could all have the faith to become wealthy and rich, just make certain that what you think is the way God looks at you is truly how He does look at you and not something you have conjured up in your mind!

Just remember this Biblical truth…we, as born again christians are both made complete and still in the process of being made complete. This leaves the door always open for another Biblical truth to happen in the heart of a born again christian known as “ apostasy.”

And one more Biblical truth to always remember - according to Paul, born again christians who live in these sins as a lifestyle will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Like I said before, we can gamble our eternity on whatever interpretation of what Paul meant in this statement we wish.

The negative side of being “ proud “ is what Paul is talking about in this verse we are studying.

As with all these sins we have been studying in Romans 1:29-30 that are meant to do harm to other people, this is the kind of pride that is meant to put others down, while exalting oneself.

While pride is typical human behavior among the unsaved, it is quite prevalent among the saved as well.

This is why James said to born again christians;

“…Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. ”      James 4:6

Paul said;

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

Being quite honest with you, I personally in my life do not know anyone who does what Paul said here;

“ but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. “

Why?

Because it is easier to give in to pride than to be humble and meek…just as it is easier to give in to hatred, jealousy, envy and strife…rather than to love and forgive.

Pride can result in hatred, jealousy, envy and competitiveness which many times results from feeling intimidated, which in turn leads to the childish attitude and mentality of wanting to challenge someone.

Solomon said;

“ Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. “   Proverbs 13:10

In other words, totally non-Christlike.

But yet Paul instructs us as born again christians to do this;

“ but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. “

Unfortunately I have to be around a person almost daily who claims to follow Jesus Christ who has so much pride you can smell it.

And what is interesting is that this person lives in self denial of being full of pride, as do most people who live as a lifestyle in these sins Paul listed.

That is what’s sad.

People who have lived like this for so many years and have calloused their conscience to the fact that they live in denial of living in these sins.

And if we don't think we ever do anything wrong, then obviously we will never repent of anything nor feel the need to ask God for forgiveness.

Always remember this Biblical truth…

Jesus said it is the “ meek ” that will inherit the earth…not the arrogant, aggressive, proud and haughty.

“  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. “   Matthew 5:5

My friend, if we are having trouble with learning about these sins and facing up to these sins Paul listed, maybe there is a reason we are troubled by this.

Maybe the Lord is trying to bring something to our attention.

I will continue with the next sin in the next study.

Wayne Brown