Pride is the intention of the heart that is in contrast to the will of God.
As men, we like to put things together. We like to build, assemble, fix stuff, do it yourself projects, and in general tinker. The challenge lies in that can we complete the task correctly without reading the directions! Do we have the skill and problem solving ability to do it on our own? Who needs directions, we are men! This is the attitude of self-reliance, individualism. We jump in, we separate the parts. We analyze what goes where. One hour later, the project is not completed. We are frustrated, irritated, and crabby. We might say and do things we will later regret. Then we remember. If all else fails, read the directions. If we would have set aside our pride and arrogance from the beginning, we might not have needlessly suffered the personal frustration. And we may have spared someone else from our short comings. It is this same pride that prevents us from turning to God’s word and His will for us. Man often thinks that his way is better than God’s way. He is the creator of the universe. He gave us the handbook for life’s trials in the Bible. He programmed us and He knows what is best for us. The issue is, will we set aside our pride and submit to God’s will?
In Scripture, there are many words that are synonymous with pride. Some of these include arrogance, haughtiness, grandeur, loftiness, pomp, strut, and swelling. This attitude is not one that God cares for.
Proverbs 16:5, Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; assuredly, he will not be unpunished.
Satan’s pride and mental attitude cost him his appointed position by God in Ezekiel 28:17. He was proud because of his beauty. God knew Satan’s attitude in Isaiah 14:13-14, Satan’s five “I will” statements. Satan wanted to be like God. He wanted to do it his way and not God’s way. Satan believed he could accomplish great things outside of the will of God. This attitude, ultimately, does not work out well for Satan. He had it all, a position of power, perfection, wealth, and wisdom. Yet, his pride caused him to fall.
It is our nature to turn away from God and try to do it ourselves. In general, we do not want any help.
Isaiah 53:6, All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way. Without God’s direction, we are without hope. Doing things our way, is not effective.
http://paulthepoke.com/2012/07/29/ezekiel-2812-19-pride-original-sin/
http://paulthepoke.com/2012/08/05/results-of-pride/
Proverbs 14:12, There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
