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Word Study: Pride

I enjoy the English language. There are so many variations of words that are a conglomeration of various backgrounds. Over time, words also develop into different meanings from the original context. Today is a good day to study one such word. Pride.

The word pride is a noun. It has multiple meanings. As an English teacher, I typically look at the initial meanings of words in order to help students understand. The first entry, according to Oxford Dictionary reads:

a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. Synonyms provided for this definition include: delight, gratification, satisfaction.

The next entry is similar, but a little more harsh: consciousness of one's own dignity or the quality of having an excessively high opinion of oneself. The similar words here have a more negative connotation: arrogance, vanity, self-importance.

The third meaning is associated with a group of people who are confident of their self-identity and shared values.

In a literary sense, the word has to do with the prime condition of something.

Again, the English teacher in me wants to focus on the first two entries today. The Bible is so clear about this word in so many warnings. We have to be mindful of where the glory really belongs.

Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18 NLT)

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2 NLT)

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. (1 John 2:16 NLT)

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (Ephesians 2:9 NLT)

Oh, how easy it is to get caught up in playing the pride game! Showing off how great things are for us. Self-confidence to the point of arrogance. The fact is, we are warned to not seek the pleasures of this world or self-gratification. This doesn't mean we should live a self-deprecating life. The point is to give credit where credit is due.

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14 NIV)

As the Scriptures say, "If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord." (2 Corinthians 10:17)

In this context, I can gladly take every jewel from my crown of achievements and self-confidence and lay them at the feet of Jesus. He deserves everything I am. My Creator is the giver of gifts, so all that I am I owe to Him.

There's a final definition of the word pride. It's the last one listed, but I think it's my favorite one. The fifth entry in the Oxford Dictionary defines pride as a group of lions. There is no self or individual in a pride of lions. They live together in unity. This is unusual for the cat family, as most cats are solitary. But in a group, these lions are stronger and follow the pride male (the leader of the family). Solitary lions are considered nomads in the animal kingdom and must survive on their own. 

Looking deeper into why a group of lions is called a pride, I discovered that as the nobility of the animal kingdom, they were given a name with dignity. Sound familiar?

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

In thinking about and deciding on what to write this week, Holy Spirit showed me this one in a whole new light. Are we following and boasting in the Lion of Judah? Are we part of His pride? I don't want to live a life of self-gratification and not consider those around me who are unprotected and need Jesus. I don't want to try to survive on my own like a nomad. I NEED JESUS! I can only boast in Him. May all of my pride be laid at His feet.

All hail the LION of Judah!


© Jill Cook and Unbroken & Undone Ministries.  All rights reserved.

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