Sin
- Proverbs 21:4 Pride of the eyes and haughtiness of the heart, which characterizes the wicked, is sin.
God hates
- Proverbs 6:16 These are the six things that the Lord hates, even seven that are an abomination to His soul:
- Proverbs 16:5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; you can guarantee that he will not go unpunished.
Christ hates.
- Proverbs 8:12-13 I, wisdom, dwell with understanding and seek discerning knowledge. 13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance and the evil way and deceitful lips.
Often manifests itself:
Complacency
- Luke 18:11-12 The Pharisee stood and prayed within himself like this: God! I thank You that I am not like other people, robbers, offenders, adulterers, or like this publican: 12 I fast twice a week, I give a tenth of everything I get.
Vanity in one's religiosity
- Soph. 3:11 On that day you will not disgrace yourself by all your deeds in which you have sinned against Me, for then I will remove from among you those who boast of your nobility, and you will no longer exalt yourself in My holy mountain.
Knowledge without love
- 1 Cor. 8:1 We know about food sacrificed to idols, because we all have knowledge; but knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
Inexperience
- 1 Tim. 3:6 He must not be one of the new converts, lest he become proud and fall into condemnation with the devil.
Possession of power
- Leviticus 26:19 And I will break your proud stubbornness, and will make your heavens like iron, and your land like brass;
- Ezek. 30:6 Thus says the LORD: The ramparts of Egypt will fall, and the pride of her might will fall; From Migdol to Syene they will fall in it by the sword, said the Lord God.
Possession of wealth
- 2 Kings 20:13 When Hezekiah heard the messengers, he showed them his storehouses, the silver and the gold, and the spices, and the costly ointments, and all his armory, and all that was in his treasuries; There was not a single thing left that Hezekiah did not show them in his house and in all his possession.
Ban
- 1 Sam. 2:3 Do not multiply arrogant speeches; Do not let insolent words come out of your mouth; For the Lord is a God of knowledge, and with Him works are weighed.
- Rome. 12:3 By the grace given to me, I say to every one of you: do not think more about [yourself] than you ought to think; but think modestly, according to the measure of faith that God has allocated to each.
- Rome. 12:16 Be of the same mind among yourselves; do not be arrogant, but follow the humble; don't dream about yourself;
Defiles a person
- Mark 7:20 He further said, “What comes from a man defiles a man.”
- Mark 7:22 Theft, covetousness, malice, deceit, lasciviousness, an envious eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness -
Hardens the mind
- Daniel 5:20 But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened to the point of insolence, he was overthrown from his royal throne and stripped of his glory,
Pride - the desire to elevate oneself
The danger of pride is that it is born from sin and gives rise to other sins. So theologians derive this sin from such a sin as vanity. By seeking false honor and praise, a person gains inflated self-esteem.
A person suffering from the sin of pride is affirmed in the opinion that he is higher than everyone else and more worthy.
However, there may not be any objective confirmation of this.
A false sense of self-worth gives rise to condemnation. Next, the desire to judge others is born. As a result, people become unjust judges. The Gospel says:
"Judge not lest ye be judged. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
(Matt. 7, 1-2)
Many people forget about this, although it is necessary to understand these words constantly.
The greatest danger for someone who is proud is that he begins to deny the help of other people and higher powers. Such a person begins to brag about his achievements, appropriating them for himself.
By boasting about his achievements, a person, without knowing it, is exposed to the sin of pride.
As a result, he exalts himself and degrades others. At the same time, a person may not even realize that he is exposed to the most ferocious sin. Over time, it can lead to destruction—godlessness.
See also the article How many circles of hell
Righteous
Didn't arrive
- Psalm 130:1 Song of Ascension. David. God! My heart was not lifted up and my eyes were not lifted up, and I did not enter into what is great and beyond my reach.
Doesn't respect others
- Psalm 40:4 Blessed is the man who puts his hope in the Lord and does not turn to the proud or to those who turn aside to lies.
Mourned in others
- Jer. 13:17 If you do not listen to this, then my soul will mourn your pride in secret places, it will weep bitterly, and my eyes will shed tears; for the flock of the Lord will be carried away into captivity.
Hated in others
- Psalms 101:5 He who secretly slanderes his neighbor I will drive out; I will not tolerate someone who is proud in his eyes and arrogant in his heart.
Hindrance in the search for God
- Psalm 9:25 In his arrogance the wicked despises the Lord: “he will not seek”; in all his thoughts: “There is no God!”
- Hosea 7:10 And the pride of Israel was brought low in their sight, and yet they did not turn to the Lord their God, nor seek Him.
Impediment to Improvement
- Proverbs 26:12 Have you seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him
Moscow Sretenskaya Theological Academy
Hierodeacon Kirill (Popov) 06/13/201738643
Before starting a conversation about pride, it is worth turning to the Holy Scriptures. Despite the fact that it is impossible to find an exact definition of this word in his texts, they clearly say how terrible this passion is, what a proud person is and what he condemns himself to before God and before people. Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise
PASSION OF PRIDE: NOT BRIEFLY, BUT ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT. PART 1.
In the Holy Scriptures, the passion of pride (Greek: ὑπερηφαν ία
) is denoted using various concepts conveyed in Russian translation by such words as “arrogance”, “arrogance”, “arrogance”, “empty glory”, “pomposity”, “puffiness”. They are all different types of one basic phenomenon - pride.
· Arrogance:
The fear of the Lord hates untruth, pride, arrogance
(
ὕβριν
)[1]
and the ways of the evil ones;
I also hated the corrupt ways of the wicked (Prov. 8:13).
Angry with arrogance
(
ὕβρεως
)[2]
does evil, but those who know themselves are wise.
(Prov. 13:10).
How arrogance has benefited us
(
ὑπερηφαν ία
) [3]
and what has wealth brought to us among pride?
(Wis. 5:8).
For the Lord has sworn by himself, says the Lord God of hosts: for I abhor all arrogance
(
ὕβριν
)[4]
Jacob, and I hated his villages and rejected the city with all its inhabitants
(Amos 6:8).
· Arrogance:
And I will punish the whole universe for evil ( Ἐντελο ῦμαι τ ῇ ο ἰκουμέν ῃ
ὅλ ῃ κακ ὰ -
lit. I will define (glorious commandment) the whole universe evil),
and the wicked for their sins, and I will destroy arrogance ( ὕβ ριν ) the lawless and will humble arrogance
(
ὕβριν
)[5]
proud ( ὑπερηφ άνων ).
(Isa. 13:11).
This is their arrogance
(
ὕβρεως
)[6] them
, because they reviled and magnified themselves over the people of the Lord Almighty
(Zeph. 2:10).
The Lord of hosts decreed that all arrogance should be taken away
(
ὕβριν
)[7]
glorious and humiliate everything that is glorious on earth
(Isa. 23:9).
I will bring the wickedest of the nations, and they will take possession of their houses. And I will put an end to arrogance
(
φρ ύαγμα
)[8]
strong, and their holy things will be profaned
(Ezek. 7:24).
Instead of telling you: “If the Lord wills and we live, we will do this or that,” you, in your arrogance
(
ἀλαζονε ίαις
)[9],
be conceited
(
καυχ ᾶσθε
)[10]
: all such vanity
(
κα ύχησις
)[11]
is evil
(James 4:15-16).
· Pompousness (pompous):
For people will be self-loving ( φίλαυτοι
)
[12]
, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, insolent, pompous
( τετυφωμ ένοι
) [13] (2 Tim. 3:2-5).
· Puffiness:
We heard about pride ( ὕβριν ) [14]
Moab, is very proud (
ὕβρισεν )
[15] He, about his arrogance (
ὕβριν )
[16] and his arrogance (
ὑπερηφαν ίαν )
[17] about his exaltation (
ὑψ ώθη )
[18] and the arrogance of his heart (And episode 48 :29).
This passion is completely foreign to God, His plan for the world and man, created in the image and likeness of the Creator.
At the same time, in the text of Holy Scripture, pride is presented descriptively - there is no clear definition of this passion. In order to highlight a holistic definition, it is important to consider the qualities and distinctive features of pride that Holy Scripture highlights. His texts note that this passion is completely alien in relation to God, His plan for the world and man,
created
in the image and likeness
of the Creator (see Gen. 1:26). Thus, it is not characteristic of either God, or primordial man, or the angels.
The book of wisdom of Jesus son of Sirach says: Pride
(
ὑπερηφαν ί
) [19]
was not created for people
(Sir. 10:21), and also:
He did not command anyone to act wickedly and did not give anyone permission to sin
(Sir. 15:20), therefore pride does not come from God:
everything that which is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride ( ἀλαζονεία)
[20]
of life—is not from the Father
(1 John 2:16).
For this reason, pride becomes the main sign of resistance to God and the hallmark of the wicked: Pride of the eyes and haughtiness of the heart, which distinguishes the wicked, is sin
(Prov. 21:4).
Among the six vices that are so displeasing to God that the wise Solomon uses the word “hatred” to express the Creator’s attitude towards them, pride takes first place: Here are six that the Lord hates
, even seven, which are an abomination to His soul:
proud
eyes (
ὀφθαλμ ὸς ὑβριστο ῦ
)[21],
a lying tongue and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that forges evil plans, feet that quickly run to crime, a false witness who speaks lies and sows discord. between brothers
(Prov. 6:17-18).
In the Psalter, the prophet and psalmist David says: the proud
(
ὑπερηφ άν ῳ
)[22]
in the eyes and the haughty in the heart
(Ps. 100:5).
The Apostle Paul clarifies that the danger of pride lies in the fact that in the form of exaltation it closes the possibility of knowing God - as opposed to humility, which destroys pride: The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but powerful in God for the destruction of strongholds: with them we overthrow plans and all exaltation
(
ὕψωμα
)[23],
rebelling against the knowledge of God, and taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ
(2 Cor. 10:4-5).
In the hardness of their hearts, the proud neglect God, even to the point of rejecting Him: In arrogance
[24]
The wicked despises the Lord: “he will not seek”;
in all his thoughts: “There is no God!” (Ps. 9:25).
They do not fear the wrath of God, being confident in their impunity - they say in their hearts: “I will not be shaken;
“No harm will befall me from generation to generation,” “God has forgotten, He has hidden His face, He will never see it” (Ps. 9:27, 32).
The passion of pride leads to the complete rejection of God, as a result of which He, as Holy Scripture repeatedly notes, opposes the proud.
The passion of pride leads to the complete rejection of God, as a result of which He, as the Holy Scripture repeatedly notes, opposes the proud: God is the proud ( ὑπερηφ άνοις
)[25]
resists
(James 4:6, also: Proverbs 3:34, 1 Peter 5:5).
is
of
the face of Divine mercy that Scripture calls him abominable: Everyone haughty in
heart
is
an abomination
to the Lord 27 ] (Prov. 16:5 ) - these words indicate that pride and arrogance are a deviation from God’s path indicated to man[28]. The Holy Scripture says that pride causes people to lose God's mercy and fall away from Him (Rom. 11:18-20).
For this reason, this sin is not only disgusting in the eyes of God, but also hateful to people, since the one who does things with arrogance does wrong: Pride
(
ὑπερηφαν ί
)[29]
is hateful to both the Lord and people, and is criminal against both...
(Sir. 10:7).
The Old Testament considered the fear of God to be the opposite of arrogance, arrogance and pride.
The Old Testament considered the fear of God to be the opposite of arrogance, arrogance and pride: The fear of the Lord hates untruth, pride, arrogance
(
ὕβριν
)[30]
and the ways of the evil ones;
I also hated the corrupt ways of the wicked (Prov. 8:13).
Therefore, Holy Scripture determines that pride is certainly subject to the judgment of God and entails disgusting punishment[31].
This is especially often said in the books of the prophets: The proud will fall
(
ὕψος
)[32]
the views of man
, and
the lofty of mankind will be humbled
;
and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.
For the day of the Lord of hosts is coming on everything that is proud (
ὑβριστὴ
)[33]
and arrogant
(
ὑπερ ήφανον
)[34]
and on everything that is exalted
(
ὑψηλ ὸν
)[35]
- and it will be humiliated...
(Is. 2:11-12 ),
I will punish the world for evil, and the wicked for their iniquities, and I will put an end to the arrogance of the proud
(
ἀν όμων
)[36],
and I will destroy the arrogance
(
ὕβριν
)
of the oppressors
[37] (Is. 13:11).
Some texts of the Holy Scripture directly indicate what specific punishments God sends to those who exalt themselves: As much as she was famous and luxurious, give her so much torment and sorrow. For she says in her heart: “I sit as a queen, I am not a widow and will not see sorrow!” Therefore in one day plagues will come upon her, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned with fire, because the Lord God who judges her is strong.
(Rev. 18:7-8).
The Holy Scripture says not only that the righteous judgment of God awaits the proud, but also that the Lord Himself acts as a judge over the wicked who transgress what was commanded to them: Our brothers, having now endured a short torment, according to the covenant of God received eternal life, and you according to God's judgment you will suffer righteous punishment for arrogance
(
τ ῆς ὑπερηφαν ίας
)[38] (2 Mac. 7:36);
You, who created everything and rule over everything, are the righteous Master: You judge those who do anything with insolence and arrogance
(
το ὺς ὕβρει κα ὶ ἀγερωχ ίᾳ
) [39] (3 Mac. 2:3).
It is also noted that sometimes God, for the sake of admonishing the proud, does not punish sinners for other sins, so that the vain and arrogant do not consider righteous punishment as a reason for their exaltation and do not become rigid in pride: Do not take revenge on us for their uncleanness, and do not punish us for defilement, so that The wicked were not vain in their thoughts and did not triumph in exaltation
(
ὑπερηφαν ίᾳ
)[40]
of his tongue, saying: We have trampled down the house of the holy, as the houses of filth are trampled under foot
(3 Mac. 3:14).
Holy Scripture shows that pride becomes the source of all wickedness and evil.
Holy Scripture shows that pride becomes the source of all wickedness and evil.
For example,
from arrogance
(
ὕβρεως)
[41]
comes discord
(Prov. 13:10);
out of pride
(
ὑπερηφανε ύεσθαι
)[42]
the wicked persecutes the poor
(Ps. 9:23);
his mouth is full of curses, deceit and lies; under the tongue is its torment and destruction; sits in ambush outside the courtyard, kills the innocent in hidden places; his eyes spy on the poor; lies in wait in a hidden place, like a lion in a den; lies in wait to capture the poor; he grabs the poor man, dragging him into his net; bends, fits, and the poor fall into his strong claws
(Ps. 9:28-31).
And at the same time, the proud robs and punishes himself. Pride is destructive for a person, since passion darkens the mind and deprives it of wisdom. Thus, the prophet Ezekiel, proclaiming the word of God to the ruler in Tire, testifies that pride becomes the reason for the loss of wisdom by the proud: From your beauty I became proud
(
ὑψ ώθη
) [43]
thy heart, because of thy beauty thou hast destroyed thy wisdom
(Ezek. 28:17).
Loss of wisdom indicates that a person is stricken with stupidity. He who relies on himself is stupid
(Proverbs 28:26), and the words of a proud man will fall upon him like a scourge: in
the mouth of a fool
is
the scourge of pride
(
ὕβρεως
)[44]
;
but the lips of the wise guard them (Prov. 14:3).
The passion of pride has such a destructive effect that it takes possession of the entire human makeup, paralyzes its will and suppresses freedom of thought.
The passion of pride has such a destructive effect that it takes possession of the entire human makeup, paralyzes its will and suppresses freedom of thought. Pride, penetrating the whole nature of a person, striking him, as the king and prophet David shows, is also manifested in his outer appearance, his words and actions: That is why pride
(
ὑπερηφαν ία
) [45]
she has surrounded them like a necklace, and boldness has clothed them like an outfit;
their eyes have rolled out of fat, thoughts are wandering in their hearts; They mock everyone, viciously spread slander, talk down to them; They raise their mouth to heaven, and their tongue walks across the earth (Ps. 73:6-9). Pride is not ashamed of itself, but, on the contrary, those who are proud reveal their wickedness and untruth, as someone shows by the clothes they wear[46].
Pride leads a person to a false idea of himself - to deception: For whoever thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, deceives himself
(Gal. 6:3) and, as a result, to defeat by your “opinion”[47] and deception by yourself:
For you say: “I am rich, I have become rich and have need of nothing”;
but do not know that you are miserable, and pitiful, and poor, and blind, and naked (Rev. 3:17).
The essential quality of pride is its insatiability. Not content with any success, she, on the contrary, seeks more and more praise and exaltation.
Pride has its root cause in the fallen supreme angel, who rejected God and became His opponent.
“The first sin, according to Scripture,” says St. Hesychius of Jerusalem is pride.”[48] Pride has as its root cause the fallen supreme angel who rejected God and became His opponent - Dennitsa, who carried away many other angels who were subordinate to him and followed him. The prophet Isaiah testifies to this: And he said in his heart: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mountain in the assembly of gods, on the edge of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.”
(Isa. 14:12-13). Interpreting this passage from the Holy Scriptures, many holy fathers correlated it with the devil, but there were also those who believed that in this case we were talking about the Babylonian king.
Fall of the Morning Star So St. Ambrose of Milan understood pride as the devil[49], Rev. John Cassian also correlated this quote with him[50], and St. John Chrysostom especially notes that some interpreters, his contemporaries, cite this passage in relation to both the devil and the Babylonian king. At the same time, St. John adheres to the interpretation that is used “in relation to hostile forces, because Christ also says: I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning
(Luke 10:18)”[51]. So he writes: “It is amazing that Satan, although he was an incorporeal force, shone in the morning and was sent to all languages, fell from heaven. Do you see when a proud memory is awakened in him? See how this most evil seed, first sown by Satan, has grown and grown.”[52] Blazh. Jerome of Stridon directly attributes these words in the book of the prophet Isaiah to Lucifer[53].
Blzh. Augustine insists that this biblical passage must be applied exclusively to the devil, and not to the Babylonian king.[54] And the Roman interpreter Cassidore also correlates these words with Satan[55]. And this series of holy fathers and interpreters could be continued. Although there is another point of view that interprets this passage from Scripture not in an allegorical, but in a historical sense, relating these words to the King of Babylon (For example, St. Ephraim the Syrian[56], A.P. Lopukhin[57]).
In this brief narrative of the Lucifer’s falling away from God, there is no detailed explanation of the “mechanism” of the emergence of an evil intention in the consciousness of the Angel, but only its motivating motive is described.
It can be noted that the virtues with which the Lucifer was adorned by his Creator inspired him with the proud thought that he was no lower than God himself and could exist independently of Him: “ Pride ( δ όξα ) [58]
yours with all your noise;
The worm lies beneath you, and the worms are your covering.
How you fell from the sky, Lucifer, son of the dawn! broken upon the earth, trampling down the nations” (Isa. 14:11-12).
δ is used to denote pride .
And this may confuse a modern person, since “
δ όξα”
is used in a positive sense, but in ancient Greek the word “
δ όξα”
is also seen in the sense of small or empty fame or “imagining oneself better than”[59].
The reason for the fall of the devil lies in his free will to become like God.
Interpreters and holy fathers relate these words of the prophet exclusively to the devil. So the famous exegete Origen writes: “What is said in many places, and especially in Isaiah, about Nebuchadnezzar, also cannot be understood in relation to this man; because Nebuchadnezzar the man did not fall from heaven, was not a star, and did not rise in the morning above the earth.”[60] The reason for the fall of the devil lies in his free will to become like God. Seeing his exceptional position among other angels, the power and strength given to Dennitsa erased all “borders” between him and God.
The interpreter of the Holy Scriptures, Origen, wrote: “This prophecy very clearly shows that he who was formerly a star and rose in the morning fell from heaven. If he was a creature of darkness, as some think, then how then is it said that he was a star? Or how could he rise in the morning without having anything luminous in himself... Consequently, the devil was once light... And only then he committed treason and fell, and his glory turned to dust.”[61] Consequently, the motivation of the devil, before his fall from the spiritual world, should have been good, and then turned into its opposite.
The Holy Venerable John of Damascus in the book “An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith” writes the following: “Of these angelic powers, that angel who stood at the head of the supermundane rank and to whom God entrusted the protection of the earth was not created evil by nature, but was good and created for good , and did not receive from the Creator even a trace of evil... He was carried away, he was followed, and with him fell countless angels subordinate to him. Thus, they, having the same nature as the angels, became evil at will, willfully deviating from good to evil”[62]. The words: “from good to evil” indicate that, having initially had a good motivation to approach God out of love, he, having lost the sense of the distance between the Creator and creation, fell into pride.
Because of pride, the devil was the first to sin among the incorporeal intelligent beings - angels, before the appearance of man. He was the first to sin among all rational beings, after the appearance of man, since, out of envy of man’s bliss, he contributed to his fall with his false speeches[63]. Your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil.
(Gen. 3:5).
Having believed the false promise of the forefathers, as before, Dennitsa himself had a proud decision, contrary to the will of God, and this manifested “a clear departure from God and a hostile rebellion against Him”[64].
The Holy Scripture calls pride a sin, which entails condemnation of the person guilty of it along with the devil.
Thus, pride made the first angel an enemy of God and cast him down from heaven. Therefore, the Holy Scripture calls pride a sin, which entails the condemnation of the one guilty of it along with the devil, and warns with the words of the Apostle: so as not to become proud and fall into condemnation with the devil.
(1 Tim. 3:6).
The fact that pride did not exist in the primordial world, that it arose, as the Holy Scripture shows, as a result of the rejection of God by the fallen angels and man, who repeated this sin and chose life outside of God, defines one of the main properties of pride - the rejection of God
.
The Holy Scriptures, when depicting people possessing the passion of pride, describe various manifestations of this state, which is reflected in the entire being of a person.
Describing the appearance of such a person, Holy Scripture indicates physiological and mental characteristics. Describing his eyes (eyes, gaze), Scripture notes: haughty eyes
(Ps. 17:28),
proud eyes
(Proverbs 6:17),
oh, how arrogant are his eyes, and how lifted are his eyelashes!
(Prov. 30:13),
he who lifts up his eyes boldly is an abomination to the Lord
(Prov. 27:20),
there is no fear of God before his eyes
(Ps. 35:2),
winks with his eyes when plotting evil
(Ps. 35:19),
squints your eyes to devise deceit;
biting his lips commits a crime (Prov. 16:30),
the eye that mocks the father and neglects obedience to the mother
(Prov. 30:17),
his eyes spy on the poor
(Ps. 9:21),
closes his eyes from the beggar
(Prov.28:27),
even the eyes of men are insatiable
(Prov.27:20).
Describing the mouth, tongue, and speech: a mouth that speaks arrogantly
(Dan.7:8),
flattering lips, a lofty tongue, those who say: “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us;
Who is our master? (Ps. 11:4-5),
lying lips, which speak evil against the righteous with pride and contempt
(Ps. 30:19),
maliciously spread slander, speak condescendingly
(Ps. 73:8),
the word of their tongue is the sin of the mouth them, let them be caught in their pride for the oath and lies that they utter
(Ps. 59:13),
the words of his mouth are untruth and deceit;
he does not want to come to his senses in order to do good (Ps. 35:4);
arrogant speeches, impudent words
(1 Sam. 2:3),
King David wrote “the proud have hidden a snare for me”; “they have sharpened their tongue like a snake;
the poison of the asp is under their lips” (Ps. 139:4),
they spew out insolent speeches;
all who practice iniquity magnify themselves (Ps. 93:4),
speak arrogantly with their lips
(Ps. 16:10), and
gnash their teeth at him
(Ps. 36:12).
Speaking about the heart, the Holy Scripture notes : arrogance of the heart
(Prov. 21:4),
a heart that forges evil plans
(Prov. 6:18),
they think evil in their hearts, every day they take up arms in battle
(Ps. 139:3),
the heart of this people has become hardened, and their ears are hard to hear, and they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn, that I may heal them
(Isa. 6:10, Matt. 13:15, Acts 28:27),
and pride Israel was humiliated in their eyes, and for all that they did not turn to the Lord their God and did not seek Him
(Hos. 7:10
);
speak from a feigned heart (Ps. 11:3),
left them to the stubbornness of their hearts, let them walk in their own thoughts
(Ps. 81:13),
each walked in the thoughts of his evil heart, serving other gods, committing evil deeds in the eyes of the Lord God ours
(Bar. 1:22).
The Holy Scriptures also describe in some detail the portrait of a proud man.
The Holy Scriptures also describe in some detail the portrait of a proud man . The wicked man, the wicked man, walks with lying lips, winks with his eyes, speaks with his feet, makes signs with his fingers; deceit is in his heart: he plots evil at all times and sows discord.
(Prov.6:12-14).
That is why pride surrounds them like a necklace, and insolence dresses them like an outfit.
Their eyes roll out of fatness, and thoughts wander in their hearts! (Ps. 73:6-7).
The Holy Scripture indicates the characteristic features of the manifestation of pride in relations with neighbors, expressed in contempt. When Saul was chosen to be king, the Holy Scriptures note the contempt with which some people reacted to this choice: And the wicked people said: Shall he save us? And they despised him and did not bring him gifts; but he didn't seem to notice it
(1 Samuel 10:27).
The proud rejoice in the stumblings of others: But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together; Scolders gathered against me, I don’t know why, they vilified me and didn’t stop; with hypocritical scoffers gnashed their teeth at me
(Ps. 34:15, 16).
King David speaks of the exaltation of the wicked in their hearts: Good! [good!] to our liking! ... we swallowed it up
(Ps. 34:25).
My enemies speak evil of me: when will he die and his name perish?
And if anyone comes to see me, he tells a lie; his heart contains untruth, and he goes out and interprets. All those who hate me are whispering among themselves against me, plotting evil against me: the word of Belial came against him; he fell ill; he will not rise again. Even the man who was at peace with me, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, lifted up his heel against me. But You, Lord, have mercy on me and raise me up, and I will repay them. (Ps. 40:6-11).
Pride manifests itself in quarrels, strife and strife. From arrogance comes discord
(Prov. 13:10);
The arrogant incites strife
(Prov. 28:25),
deceit is in his heart: he plots evil at all times, sows discord
(Prov. 6:14),
the quarrel of the arrogant is bloodshed, and their abuse is unbearable to hear
(Sir. 27: 15) etc.
A sign of pride is also stubbornness and perseverance.
A sign of pride is also stubbornness and perseverance. And not to be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious race, unsettled in heart and unfaithful to God in their spirit
(Ps. 77:8).
Arrogance is a manifestation of pride. And now we consider the arrogant happy: those who commit iniquity are better off, and although they tempt God, they remain unharmed
(Mal. 3:15).
Blessed is the man who puts his hope in the Lord and does not turn to the proud or to those who turn aside to lies
(Ps. 39:5) Also, the persecution of other people is one of its manifestations.
Out of his pride, the wicked persecutes the poor: let them be caught in the tricks that they themselves invent
(Ps. 9:23);
Let not the foot of pride come upon me, and let not the hand of the sinner drive me out
(Ps. 35:12).
The wicked spies on the righteous and seeks to kill him
(Ps. 36:32).
In the Holy Scriptures, the passion of pride is considered as a negative quality in a person, leading him to destruction.
Thus, based on the qualities and distinctive features of pride noted in the Holy Scriptures, we can conclude that pride is a sinful passion that is not inherent in human nature by nature, arose under the influence of the devil, through the Fall and the temptations of the world, manifested in neglect, oblivion and loss of fear God, moving away from Him, expressed in an ever-increasing exaltation of oneself over others, due to incredible gluttony, which does not remain without punishment from God. In the Holy Scriptures, the passion of pride is considered as a negative quality in a person, leading him to destruction.
monk Kirill (Popov)
Keywords:
pride, Holy Scripture, exaltation, arrogance, arrogance, pompousness, arrogance, wickedness, evil.
[1] Veisman A. D
. Greek-Russian dictionary. - St. Petersburg, 1899. - P. 1266. (“Insolence, impudence” - famous “with annoyance”).
The translation of Greek words here and below is given according to: 1) A symphony of dictionary forms posted on the site, where the texts of the Septuagint and the New Testament with interlinear translation are presented (Electronic resource) // URL: https://manuscript-bible.ru/index.htm (access date: 03/01/2016); 2) Greek-Russian dictionary by A. D. Weisman.
[2] Ibid.
[3]Ibid. P. 1280. (“Harrogance”).
[4]Ibid. P. 1266. (“Arrogance, impudence, impudence” - famous “reproach”).
[5] Ibid. (Greek ὕβριν “arrogance, impudence, impudence”, ἀνόμων “lawless, unlawful; wicked, criminal” - Slav. “reproach of the lawless”).
[6]Ibid. (“Arrogance, insolence, impudence, impudence, rudeness, mockery” - sl. “annoyance”).
[7]Ibid. (“Arrogance, insolence, impudence” - slang for “pride”).
[8]Ibid. P. 1328. (“Arrogant contempt for someone, pride” - glorified “grandeur”).
[9]Ibid. P. 48. (“Bragging, boastfulness” - famous “pride”).
[10]Ibid. P. 696. (“Bragging, boasting, pride” - Slav. “boast”).
[11]Ibid. (“Boasting, boasting” - sl. “praise”).
[12]Ibid. P. 1314. (“Proudly”).
[13]Ibid. P. 1264. (“ literal.
Envelop in smoke,
trans.
fill with swagger; to darken, to drive mad").
[14]Ibid. P. 1266. (“Arrogance, impudence, impudence” - famous “pride”).
[15]Ibid. (“Arrogance, insolence, impudence” - slang for “pride”).
[16]Ibid.
[17]Ibid. P. 1280. (“Harrogance, arrogance, contempt; disdain, contempt” - Slav. “arrogance”).
[18]Ibid. P. 1304. (“Exaltation (of oneself), arrogance” - glorious “exaltation”).
[19]Ibid. P. 1280. (“Arrogance, arrogance, contempt; disdain, contempt” —
glory "pride").
[20]Ibid. P. 48. (“Bragging, pride, arrogance”).
[21]Ibid. P. 1266. (“The impudent eye” is the glorious eye of the annoyancer).
[22]Ibid. P. 1280. (“Arrogant, arrogant, contemptuous” —
glory "proud".)
[23]Ibid. P. 1304. (“Exaltation (of oneself), arrogance” —
glory "ascension")
[24] The Synodal translation is guided by the Hebrew text of the verse of the psalm, where a word is used with the meaning “height, height, growth”; trans.
“greatness, glory;
arrogance, arrogance, pride" (see: URL: https://manuscript-bible.ru/S/S/h13.htm#1363). While the Church Slavonic translation is identical to the text of the Septuagint: παρώξυνεν τὸν κύριον -
“irritate the Lord.”
[25]Weisman A. D.
Greek-Russian dictionary. - St. Petersburg, 1899. - P. 1280. (“Arrogant, arrogant, contemptuous”).
[26]Ibid. P. 37. (Literally from the Greek “unclean; spoiled and vicious”).
[27]Ibid. P. 1302. (“Proud, lit. high + heart” - slav. “high-hearted”).
[28] It is noteworthy that the following verses mention: The beginning of a good journey
-
to do the truth;
this is more acceptable in the sight of God than making sacrifices... (Prov. 16:6).
[29] Weisman A. D.
Greek-Russian dictionary. - St. Petersburg, 1899. - P. 1280. (“Harrogance, arrogance, contempt; disdain, contempt” - famous “pride”).
[30]Ibid. P. 1266. (“Insolence, impudence” - sl. “annoyance”).
[31] Theophan the Recluse, St.
Interpretation of Psalm 119. - M.: Rule of Faith, 2008. - P. 110.
[32]Weisman A. D.
Greek-Russian dictionary. - St. Petersburg, 1899. - P. 1304. (“Height, height; high position, ascension” - famous “height”).
[33]Ibid. P. 1280. (“Unbridled, insolent, impudent; insolent towards someone.” - glorified “annoyer”).
[34]Ibid. P. 1266. (“Arrogant, arrogant, contemptuous; luxurious, magnificent” - glorified “proud”).
[35]Ibid. P. 1280. (“High, sublime; arrogant, arrogant” - glorified “high”).
[36]Ibid. (“Insolence, insolence” ἀνόμων “lawless, unlawful; wicked, criminal” - Slav. “reproach of the lawless”).
[37]Ibid. P. 1266. (“Insolence, impudence” - famous “reproach of the proud”).
[38]Ibid. P. 1280. (“Arrogance, arrogance, contempt; disdain, contempt” - glorified “pride”).
[39]Ibid. P. 1266. (Greek τοὺς ὕβρει “impudence, insolence” καὶ ἀγερωχίᾳ “pride, arrogance” - glor. “with reproach and pride”).
[40]Ibid. P. 1280. (“Arrogance, arrogance, contempt; disdain, contempt” - Slav. “pride”).
[41]Ibid. P. 1266. (“Insolence, insolence, insolence, rudeness, mockery” - famous “with annoyance”).
[42]Ibid. P. 1280. (“To be proud, to be puffed up” - Slav. “to be proud”).
[43]Ibid. P. 1304. (“To exalt, elevate; to exalt, to boast of (one’s) beauty” - Slav. “to ascend”).
[44]Ibid. P. 1266. (“Insolence, insolence, insolence, rudeness, mockery” - sl. “annoyance”).
[45]Ibid. P. 1280. (“Arrogance, arrogance, contempt; disdain, contempt” - Slav. “pride”).
[46] Explanatory psalter of Euthymius Zigaben (Greek philosopher and monk) explained according to patristic interpretations. - M.: Syntagma, 2000. - P. 569.
[47]Ignatius Brianchaninov, Saint.
Ascetic experiences. Volume I. - M.: Siberian Blagozvonnitsa, 2012. - P. 97.
[48] Hesychius of Jerusalem, Ven.
Essays. - M.: Direct-Media, 2014. - P. 19.
[49] “How strong is pride, whose creator is the devil, whom the prophet depicts as saying: I will exalt my throne above the clouds and I will be like the Most High
" (Biblical commentaries of the Church Fathers and other authors of the 1st-8th centuries. Old Testament. Volume X: The Book of the Prophet Isaiah 1-39 / Translated from English, Greek, Latin, Coptic, and Syriac. Edited by Stephen A. McKinian / Russian edition edited by G.I. Benevich. - Tver: Hermeneutics, 2011. - P. 128).
[50] “And therefore the Creator of the universe and the physician God, knowing that pride is the cause and beginning of diseases, wanted to heal the opposite with the opposite, so that what had fallen apart from pride would be restored by humility. For the proud devil says: I will ascend into heaven
(Isa. 14, 13);
but the humble one says: “ My soul has humbled itself to the ground
” (Ps. 43:26).” (John Cassian, teacher. On the spirit of pride // His own Scriptures. - Sergiev Posad, 1993. - P. 147. (On the decrees of the Cenobites. Book 12).
[51] “To some this seems to be said regarding hostile forces, because Christ also says: I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning
(Luke 10:18). We will not reject this interpretation: another meaning of this expression is possible, however, we will accept this interpretation, since it is now useful.” (Complete collection of works of our holy father John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople. Vol. 6. Book 1. - St. Petersburg: Publication of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, 1900. - P. 141.)
[52] Complete collection of the works of our holy father John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople. T. 6. Book. 1. - St. Petersburg: Publishing house of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, 1900. - P. 141-142.
[53] “For Lucifer said in his heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of the assembly of the gods, in the uttermost parts of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.” (Biblical commentaries of the Church Fathers and other authors of the 1st-8th centuries. Old Testament. Volume X: The Book of the Prophet Isaiah 1-39 / Translated from English, Greek, Latin, Coptic, and Syriac. Edited by Stephen A. McKinian / Russian edition edited by G.I. Benevich. - Tver: Hermeneutics, 2011. - P. 127).
[54] “And as for what is written in Isaiah: How the star, the son of the morning, fell from heaven, and other words that, under the image of the Babylonian king, are spoken about this person or to this person, then they must undoubtedly be understood as referring to the devil based on the very context of this speech...” (Ibid. p. 127).
[55] “And the devil considered himself great when he said: I will set up my throne in the north and will be like the Most High. The proud today consider themselves more important than others. But no one can be called truly great except God alone.” (Ibid. p. 129).
[56] “The king of Babylon wept in the morning, on the day that dawned after the completion of seventy years, and on which the Jews received deliverance, and the kingdom of Babylon collapsed.” (St. Ephraim the Syrian. Creations. Vol. 5. - M.: Father's House, 1995. - P. 350).
[57] “The prophet, for his part, confirms the surprising fact for everyone of the death of the king of Babylon.” ( Lopukhin A.P.
The Explanatory Bible, or commentaries on all the books of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. T. 6. - 1909. - P. 312).
[58]Weisman A. D.
Greek-Russian Dictionary, 1899. - P. 340 (“Glory, radiance” - slav. “glory”).
[59]Ibid. pp. 340-341.
[60]Works of Origen, teacher of Alexandria. About the Beginnings. - Kazan: Printing house of the Imperial University, 1899. - P. 357.
[61]Works of Origen, teacher of Alexandria. About the Beginnings. - Kazan: Printing house of the Imperial University, 1899. - P. 357.
[62] John of Damascus, St.
An accurate exposition of the Orthodox faith. - M.: Sretensky Monastery Publishing House, 2003. - P. 55.
[63] Dobroselsky P.V.
About the origin of man, original sin and artificial generation. - M.: Blagovest, 2008. - P. 45.
[64]Theophan the Recluse, St.
What is spiritual life and how to tune in to it? - M.: Rule of Faith, 1996. - P.105.
Pride is typical of:
Devil
- 1 Tim. 3:6 He must not be one of the new converts, lest he become proud and fall into condemnation with the devil.
World
- 1John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of this world.
False teachers
- 1 Tim. 6:3-4 Whoever teaches otherwise and does not follow the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching of godliness, 4 he is proud, knows nothing, but is infected with [passion] for competitions and disputes of words, from which come envy, strife, slander, evil suspicions.
Wicked
- Habakkuk 2:4-5 Behold, an arrogant soul will not rest, but the righteous will live by his faith. 5 An arrogant man, like fermenting wine, does not rest, so that he expands his soul like hell, and like death he is insatiable, and gathers all nations to himself, and captures all nations for himself.
Comes from the heart
- Mark 7:21-23 For from within, from the heart of man, come evil thoughts, adultery, fornication, murder, 22 thefts, covetousness, malice, deceit, lasciviousness, an envious eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness - 23 all this evil comes from within. and defiles a person.
The wicked wear it as a garment
- Psalm 72:6 Therefore pride has surrounded them like a necklace, and insolence has clothed them like a robe...
The proud man is deceived by the Devil
Speaking about pride, it is necessary to remember about such a concept as spiritual charm. Seduction is the activity of the Enemy of the human race who has taken the form of an angel or even Christ himself. A person captivated by it can do unusual things.
So a proud person, for example, may believe that he has achieved a lot in science due to the fact that he is “special”, a genius. However, the basis of such a statement is the desire for fame. There is no question of humility here.
If we talk about those proud people who are within the church fence, then many heretics have fallen into the sin of pride. Hence the declaration of themselves as prophets and saints, or statements about the gift of prophecy.
Such prominent ascetics as elders Joseph the Hesychast, Paisius the Svyatogorets and Daniel of Katunak wrote about the danger of spiritual seduction for the Orthodox.
See also the article Why children die
Leads people to
Contempt and rejection of God's Word and God's servants
- Jer. 43:2 Then said Azariah the son of Hosaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the bold men said unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest a lie; the Lord our God did not send thee to say, Go not down into Egypt to live there;
Spirit of Pursuit
- Psalm 9:23 In his pride the wicked persecute the poor: let them be caught in the tricks which they themselves devise.
Anger
- Proverbs 21:24 An arrogant wicked man—his name is a blasphemer—acts in the heat of pride.
Discord
- Proverbs 13:10 From arrogance comes discord, but to those who take counsel comes wisdom.
- Proverbs 28:25 The arrogant stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord prospers.
Seduction and self-deception
- Jer. 49:16 Thy terrible state and the arrogance of thy heart have deceived thee, who dwell in the clefts of the rocks, and occupy the tops of the hills. But even if you build your nest high like an eagle, I will bring you down from there, says the Lord.
Advice against
- Jer. 13:15 Listen and give heed; do not be proud, for the Lord speaks.
In the fight against pride, you need to trust in God
An Orthodox person must always remember that without God's help he cannot cope with sins. So all the advice on how to fight pride will be empty if you don’t turn to the temple for help.
Only here, by repenting and praying, can one obtain God’s intercession. No amount of self-exercise or self-hypnosis will help you receive God’s grace and weapons against the Devil.
Video: How to get rid of pride? (Archpriest Vladimir Golovin).
It should be noted that diligent parishioners are usually not susceptible to this sin. The fact is that they constantly communicate with the priest, who can help them in case of difficulty.
In addition, by associating with pious people, you can learn modesty from them. Modesty and humility are the main weapons in the fight against the sin of pride.
Followed by
A shame
- Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, so does shame; but with the humble there is wisdom.
Humiliation
- Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride humbles him, but he who is humble in spirit gains honor.
- Isaiah 28:3 The crown of pride of the drunken Ephraimites is trampled underfoot.
A fall
- Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
- Proverbs 18:12 A man's heart is lifted up before he falls, but humility comes before glory.
Will increase in the last days
2 Timothy 3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unkind,
Grief
- Isaiah 28:1 Woe to the wreath of pride of the drunken Ephraimites, to the withered flower of their beautiful adornment, which is on the top of the fat valley of those slain by wine!
- Isaiah 28:3 T The crown of pride of the drunken Ephraimites is trampled underfoot.
Those who are guilty deserve...
God's Resistance
James 4:6 But grace gives all the more; That is why it is said: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Humiliation
- Isaiah 23:9 The LORD of hosts has ordained this to disgrace the arrogance of all glory, to humble all the great men of the earth.
Retribution
- Psalm 30:24 Love the Lord, all ye His righteous; The Lord protects the faithful and rewards those who act arrogantly in abundance.
Crush
- Jer. 13:9 Thus says the Lord: Thus will I destroy the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem.
Humiliation
- Exodus 18:11 Now I have learned that the Lord is greater than all the gods, in the very thing by which they exalted themselves above [the Israelites].
- Isaiah 13:11 I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquities, and I will put an end to the arrogance of the proud, and I will bring down the arrogance of the oppressors;
Humiliation
- Psalm 17:28 For You save the oppressed people, but You bring down haughty eyes.
- Isaiah 2:12 For the day of the Lord of hosts [is coming] upon all that is proud and arrogant, and upon all that is exalted, and it shall be brought low,
Humiliation
- Daniel 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and magnify the King of heaven, whose works are true and his ways are righteous, and who is able to humble those who walk proudly.
- Matthew 23:12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Scattering
- Luke 1:51 He showed the strength of His arm; He scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
Punishment
- Soph. 2:10-11 This is to them because of their arrogance, because they mocked and magnified themselves over the people of the Lord of hosts. 11 The Lord will be terrible to them, for he will destroy all the gods of the earth, and all the islands of the nations will worship Him, each one from his own place.
Pride is the mother of all sins, since the proud person replaces God with himself
Pride is the sin of Lucifer and for this reason alone it can be called the “mother” of all sins. Just as the Devil put his “I” above God, so the proud man says that he is important, and not those around him.
Naturally, if he finds himself in another team, he may meet the same proud person. As a result, hostility may begin, fraught with the most serious consequences.
No other sin can generate as many sins around itself as pride.
The sinner, in this case, claims to be God.
Thus, he renounces Him and, from his point of view, everything is allowed to him. Examples from history confirm this conclusion, because how much suffering revolutionaries and God-fighters of all stripes brought to people!
Examples:
Ahithophel
- 2 Sam. 17:23 And Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not carried out, and he saddled the donkey, and got ready, and went to his house, to his city, and made a testament to his house, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in his father's tomb.
Hezekiah
- 2Years. 32:25 But Hezekiah did not repay the benefits shown to him, for his heart was proud. And the wrath [of God] was upon him, and upon Judah, and upon Jerusalem.
Pharaoh
- Nehemiah 9:10 And you showed signs and wonders on Pharaoh and on all his servants and on all the people of his land, because You knew that they dealt with them arrogantly, and You have made a name for Yourself to this day.
Haman
- Esther 3:5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or prostrate himself before him, Haman was filled with anger.
Moab
- Isaiah 16:6 “We have heard of the pride of Moab, its exceeding pride, its arrogance, its arrogance, and its violence: its speech is false.”
Shooting Range
- Isaiah 23:9 The LORD of hosts has ordained this to disgrace the arrogance of all glory, to humble all the great men of the earth.
Israel
- Isaiah 28:1 Woe to the wreath of pride of the drunken Ephraimites, to the withered flower of their beautiful adornment, which is on the top of the fat valley of those slain by wine!
- Hosea 5:5 And the pride of Israel is brought low in their sight; both Israel and Ephraim shall fall by their wickedness; Judah will fall with them.
- Hosea 5:9 Ephraim shall become desolate in the day of punishment; I have declared this among the tribes of Israel.
Judas
- Jer. 13:9 Thus says the Lord: Thus will I destroy the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem.
Babylon
- Jer. 50:29 Call together archers against Babylon; All who strain the bow, camp around it, so that no one escapes from it; repay him according to his deeds; as he did, so do ye also to him, for he has exalted himself against the Lord, against the Holy One of Israel.
- Jer. 50:32 And pride shall stumble and fall, and no one shall lift him up; And I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it will devour all around him.
Assyria
- Ezek. 31:3 Behold, Asshur was a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches and shady foliage, and tall in stature; its top was among thick branches.
- Ezek. 31:10 Therefore thus said the Lord God: Because thou hast become tall in stature, and hast set thy top among the thick branches, and his heart was lifted up with pride because of his greatness,
Nebuchadnezzar
- Daniel 4:30 The king said, “Is this not majestic Babylon, which I have built for the house of the kingdom by the strength of my might and for the glory of my majesty!”
- Daniel 5:20 But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened to the point of insolence, he was overthrown from his royal throne and stripped of his glory,
Belshazzar
- Daniel 5:22-23 And you, his son Belshazzar, did not humble your heart, although you knew all this, 23 but you exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven, and the vessels of His house were brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank. wine from them, and you glorified the gods of silver and gold, copper, iron, wood and stone, who neither see, nor hear, nor understand; but you have not glorified God, in whose hand is your breath and with whom are all your ways.
Edom
- Obadiah 1:3 The horde of your heart has deceived you; you live in clefts of the rocks, in an elevated place, and you say in your heart: “Who will bring me down to the earth?”
Scribes
- Mark 12:38-39 And He said to them in His teaching: Beware of the scribes, who love to walk in long robes and [receive] greetings in public assemblies, 39 to sit in front in the synagogues and recline in the first [place] at feasts, -
Herod
- Acts 12:21-23 On the appointed day, Herod, dressed in royal clothing, sat on a high place and spoke to them; 22 And the people cried out, “[This is] the voice of God, and not of man.” 23 But suddenly an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give glory to God; and he, having been eaten by worms, died.
Pride is the sin of Lucifer and Adam, therefore it is the most terrible
Orthodoxy understands pride as pride, arrogance, selfishness, arrogance and conceit. Pride is a mortal sin. He is the eighth on the list of deadly sins, but in terms of the time of his appearance he is the first.
The Scripture says that after the Lord created the angels, the most beloved of them, Lucifer (Darnitsa), refused to kneel before Him. This was the first manifestation of pride in the world.
The Fall of the Rebel Angels. Luca Giordano. 1666 Lucifer, overcome by pride, rebelled against God
Lucifer received from God the greatest power among all the other angels. This became a source of pride for him. Considering himself equal to God, he decided to go against him and take the throne of the Almighty Lord for himself.
Archangel Michael, who defeated the proud Lucifer
To do this, he gathered an army among the angels, and a battle began in Heaven. The colossal battle ended with the defeat of Dennitsa. The army of angels who remained faithful to God, led by the Archangel Michael, won.
Lucifer and all the fallen angels were thrown into the underworld. From now on they live there, deprived of radiance and God's grace.
The second example of the danger of pride is the sin of Adam, who, being proud, tasted the forbidden fruit.
When a person becomes proud, it does not bother him to remember his ancestors Adam and Eve. Living in Eden and being provided with everything necessary, they, tempted by the Serpent, violated God's prohibition.
Proud, Adam, yielding to Eve’s persuasion, tasted the forbidden fruit. The result of this was their expulsion from Paradise.
Adam and Eve. Peter Paul Rubens. 1628 The Fall of Adam and Eve is a clear example of the sin of pride
These two examples indicate that pride is, first of all, a rebellion against God. A proud being goes so far as to consider himself equal to the Creator.
At the same time, it not only asserts such equality, but also strives to take its place. Lucifer did this in heaven, but on earth various rulers and revolutionaries imitate him.
The life of Christ is an example of the fight against pride.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, in his earthly life, repeatedly showed us an example of humility, starting from the washing of feet at the Last Supper and ending with his martyrdom on the cross.
At the same time, he was endowed with qualities that no mortal will ever be endowed with. His life is an example of humility and the fight against pride for us.
