Pride Goes Before Destruction

Proverbs 16:18

Pride is an interesting problem for Christians in the workplace. On the one hand, we're told to do quality work. On the other, the Bible warns against pride with verses such as:

"Pride goes before destruction" (Prov. 16:18)
"I hate pride and arrogance" (Prov. 8:13)
"He looks upon the lowly, but the proud, He knows from afar" (Psalm 138:6)
"Do not be proud" (Romans 12:16)
"[Love] is not proud" (1 Cor. 13:4)

And that list is just a small sampling.

Al Pacino, playing Satan in The Devil's Advocate, states that vanity (another word for pride) is his favorite sin. Obviously, the movie is not speaking on behalf of the devil, but pride is certainly one temptation that is particularly dangerous.

One reason that pride can be so dangerous is that it hides our weaknesses, which may be the reason that "pride goes before destruction." We begin to think we're untouchable, and then we don't notice mistakes and other problems that creep up around us.

Another reason that pride is a big problem is that it alienates others. Romans 12:3 says "do not think of yourself more highly than you ought," and the context is that we all need other people. That's true in our Christian walk (which is Paul's reference in the Romans passage), but it's also true at work. There are very few, if any, jobs that you can do without some kind of dependence on other people. In the university classes that I teach, students invariably hate group assignments. However, the lessons of dealing with underperforming group members or with having to coordinate schedules (which are the two most common complaints) are important as students go into jobs where they will have to work with others. Very rarely will your job performance be solely dependent on you, and pride tends to hide the fact that we need other people.

But perhaps the most important reason that the Bible warns against pride is that is such a small step from pride in one's accomplishments to forgetting how much we need God. Pride diminishes God's work in our lives, and how He provides for us in terms of our day-to-day living. Pride in an achievement at work neglects God's help in giving you the skills and knowledge to do the work that you do. And that kind of pride also makes it easier to forget that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, that we are nothing without Jesus.

Where do you struggle with pride? Take a long look at your life, particularly how you think about your work. Identify the areas in which you're more susceptible to pride. Then take those areas to God in prayer.