God Hates Pride

While it may not be vogue to ponder the things God says he hates, it would do us well if we are to be people resolved to please him. It should not be hard for most of us to recall the repulsions at the top of God’s list. For the Creator has repeatedly inscribed on the pages of his word his disdain for his creatures’ pride. When Proverbs declares, “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him” the itemization begins with something seemingly small and innocuous – “haughty eyes” (Proverbs 6:16).

Not prideful acts, boastful words or self-centered actions (which he is also said to despise) top the list, but just the glances of a person who projects the sense of “I’m important” or “I’m special” or “I know more than you”. Wow. How seemingly sensitive; yet it is for good reason. After all, the entire mess of sin in the universe began with one angelic creature thinking “I deserve better” and “I’m better than the next guy” (see Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:16-17). Add to that the Bible’s warning that our failure to see ourselves as sinful, helpless and fallen creatures will have catastrophic and eternal effects.

And in everyday life, God knows that the joy, satisfaction, fulfillment and pleasure we all desire is never found in self-promotion or thoughts of superiority, but it is always found in humbly seeking God and selflessly loving others. What an advantage it is when we remember “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6; Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:5).