Bible Question: I did really good on a test at school and I want to tell people; however, pride is a sin. :( Why is satisfaction with my achievements a sin? |
Bible Answer: When trying to understand a topic, one of the ways to discover the meaning of a word and its use is to look it up in in its context in the bible and see how it is used. For instance, to the right you will see under "Get Bible Text" a place to "Search word". After entering the word "pride" and click on "Search" a series of verses come up from the bible. To the left of the verse you will see "I","N', and "C". Clicking on the "I" will bring up the defination of the word as it is used in the context. You will see that pride is translated different ways depending on the context. This is essential in trying to understand the meaning. As you look at different verses where pride is used you will get an understanding of what the Lord is conveying in the verse. Pride in the sense of satisfaction with making a good grade is not a bad thing. We do have joy when we do good in our studies. As you study the word pride, you will see as in the case of Nebuchadnezzer - it is when we leave God out of the equation that is a type of pride that sets its self up against our creator in the sense of saying or thinking we don't need Him or we can make it without Him. As you see in Nebuchadnezzer's case, he says I built this and exalted his own self importance. God had to bring him down to show him that all he had was given to him by God. So in conclusion I would say if you acknowledge that God is the one who gave you your abilities and talents and praise and thank Him for the good grades - you will be doing the right thing. I suggest reading the entire Chapter of Daniel 4 to see how Nebuchadnezzar himself explains how God dealt with him concerning his pride. Dan 4:37 "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride." |