At an airport, there was a miniature hut of a tribal community. There was a slogan: ‘Humility with Pride,’ inscribed on that. Is it not an oxymoron? Pride goes before a fall or destruction. (Proverbs 16:18)
Mesmerized by pride: Somehow, almost all people are mesmerized by pride. It is across cultures, classes, clans, communities, and nations. Individual pride, family pride, community pride, cultural pride, racial pride, and national pride are some of the common expressions of pride. There is also spiritual pride, and even pride about the grace of God. Any form, any degree, and any amount of pride is sin.
Desire worship: Lucifer was cast out of Heaven because of his pride. He considered himself, if not greater, but equal to God. Hence, he thought he was worthy of worship. To receive worship, he wanted to exalt his throne above the throne of God. (Isaiah 14:12-15) Applause from others is a craving of those who are proud. Pride, desire for praise, and flattery please the proud much.
Demand worship: Nebuchadnezzar misinterpreted the dream he saw. Daniel interpreted the dream. The head of gold of the statue indicated prominence and prestige as a global superpower. The other parts with inferior metal will have progressively inferior power. Nebuchadnezzar thought that making the whole statue of gold would give him a permanent position as a perpetual superpower. Hence, he made a statue and demanded that people worship it. Indirectly, he would be worshipped. (Daniel 3:1-25)
Make a name: After the flood during the time of Noah, people wanted to build a city with a tower that reached heaven, called Babel. (Genesis 11:1-11) The citizens of the city wanted to make a great name for themselves.
Pride and violence: Pride and violence go together. “Therefore, pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.” (Psalms 73:6) The inflated ego of a proud person will make him arrogant to disregard, disrespect, and destroy others ruthlessly.
Humility: The basic Christian virtue and value for disciples is humility as modelled by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Do I wear humility as a necklace and salvation as my garment?