Question:
Proverbs 16:5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished. (NKJV)
I am not sure I understand… does this mean proud as in “earthly proud”? I know I am proud to be God’s child but I dont think thats what that means… can you clear that up?
Answer:
The idea of the word “proud” in this verse is “high”, “haughty” or “lofty”. It is the idea of lifting or elevating your heart (mind, will, desires) above God.
Being “proud to be God’s child” obviously isn’t the same thing. The object of pride (you or God) determines what you have “elevated” in your life. To be “proud” of God is to elevate him. To be proud of what He has done in your life, is to elevate Him.
The scary thing is that being “proud in heart” is not just strutting around proclaiming your own greatness. Being proud in heart encompasses EVERYTHING we do that does not put God first.
The unsaved person lives in this condition perpetually.
The saved person struggles with denying SELF, who wants its way all the time. Paul sums it up nicely:
Romans 7:18-20 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. (NKJV)
All Christians struggle with pride (elevating yourself above God by doing what YOU want instead of what God would have you to do). But Christians have the Holy Spirit to guide them and empower them to overcome the desire towards pride.
As we grow spiritually, our pride should diminish and our humility increase.