Pride is possibly the most common sin of all. It is the root sin, the means that Satan used in successfully tempting the original humans to rebel against their maker (Gen 3:1-6; 1 John 2:16). It remains a characteristic feature of fallen human nature and one of the hardest evils to overcome (Prov 16:18; Dan 5:20; Obad 3; Mark 7:21-22; Rom 1:28-30). The essence of pride is self-centredness. The pleasure of the proud is not just to have something, but to have more of it than anyone else; not just to be something, but to be better than anyone else (Prov 14:21; Matt 23:5-7,12; 1 John 2:16).
Pride causes people to rebel against God because he is above them, and despise fellow human beings because, in their view, they are below them (Exod 5:2; Isa 14:12-15; Luke 18:9-11). To feel pleasure at being praised is not pride, provided the pleasure comes from having pleased someone else (Matt 25:21). But if the pleasure is that of delighting in oneself or holding a high opinion of oneself, that is pride (Matt 6:2,5; John 12:43).
In like manner, to feel pleasure in some other person or thing (to feel proud of it) is not pride in the sinful sense, providing it is only unselfish admiration (Hag 1:8; Gal 6:14). But if the pleasure is a feeling of conceit, the pride is sinful (Isa 25:11; Dan 4:30). Pride is a sin that is particularly hateful to God (Prov 8:13; 16:5). Those who practise it bring against themselves God’s opposition, and guarantee for themselves a humiliating punishment (Lev 26:19; Prov 29:23; Isa 13:11; 16:6; Dan 4:37; Luke 1:51; 18:14; James 4:6). (See also BOASTING; HUMILITY; HYPOCRISY.)