The Bible describes pride as sin. Pride goes before destruction (Prov. 16:18), puts one out of an undesirable relationship with God (1 Peter 5:5; James 4:6), and will yield a regrettable end (Prov. 29:23). Nebuchadnezzar was judged for his proud spirit (Dan. 4), Haman was beset with pride (Esther 5), and Pharaoh fell for doing it. God offers to humble the proud (Matt. 23:12).

Christian theologians have addressed the concept of pride mainly within the tradition of Augustine, who viewed pride as the first sin thereby spent a great deal of his energy on discussing it. The keystone of his argument would have been a text in Ecclesiasticus that reads, “pride is the start of sin.” The verse has later been viewed as questionable in meaning. Nonetheless, with this basis Augustine proceeded to view late Satan as portrayed in Ezekiel and Isaiah as principally motivated by pride. “Your heart became proud out of your beauty” (Ezek. 28:17, NIV). What led Satan to his fall was likewise the downfall of the human race from the garden of Eden. Augustine felt that pride in their extreme may be the unpardonable sin (Green, 1949). He wrote extensively about his or her own struggles with pride, describing becoming his greatest temptation.

The study of pride has also been the main topics great interest to Christians in monastic traditions and later on for the Pietists. Bernard of Clairvaux inside the Steps of Humility declared people may take steps upward if they pursue humility; however, if they pursue pride, their steps will lead downward, following a length of Satan. Bernard suggests that you can find 12 steps which could lead one through the beginnings of pride-curiosity-to its most severe expression, habitual sin. The intervening steps are frivolity, foolish mirth, boastfulness, singularity (planning to all ends to demonstrate oneself superior), conceit, audacity, excusing of sins, hypocritical confession, defiance, and freedom to sin. Step one of pride (curiosity) may be the last step of humility (downcast eyes). The final step of pride (habitual sin) medicine first step toward true humility (worries of the Lord).

Bernard’s outline is actually sermonic in tone and designed as an instructive tool for aspiring monastics. But all of its medieval format, his description of pride rings true. Modern psychology won’t have much to increase his outline. Pride elevates the self, seeks to own one’s worth identified by others, which is unaware of obvious personal faults. The proud person has difficulty functioning interpersonally, since she or he will not receive or process feedback from others inside a satisfactory manner. Nor will the proud person fare well inside the task of being other-centered. Pride forms a key element in the psychological construct of narcissism.

Pride, psychologically considered, is defensive as the name indicated. By definition pride is not a fair and true estimate of self; it is an overestimate. Which means the proud body’s motivated to cover up a subconscious a feeling of inferiority or perhaps is motivated to overcompensate for actual inadequacies. Pride could be part of an ill-formed method of social interaction; the proud person may genuinely feel his or her pride is the best way to dealing with self while others and may be not aware of flaws that preclude the pride. Pride thrives on deference and praise from others. It may well have its roots in parental overindulgence or even in a credentials that created deep personal insecurities that the pride is compensating.
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