humilityPride is good?  Then what about 1 Peter 5:5… “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble?”  What about 2 Tim 3:1-2… “In the last days there will come times of difficulty.  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant…?”

I agree with both passages, however, there is a kind of pride that IS good!  Consider the following… 

   Romans 15:17, “In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to bproud of my work for God.”

   Philippians 2:16, “Hold fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”

   2 Corinthians 7:4, “I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.”

   James 1:9, “The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.”

There is a kind of pride that is affirmed in Scripture.  It is not looked down upon nor is it considered sin.  This kind of pride is in seeing what God is doing in other people for His glory.  This kind of pride is realizing that God is bringing forth fruit in people’s lives.

Now consider a quote I heard this week… “Godly pride is faith in the idea God had when He made you.”  I put a verse with it from Galatians 6:4, “Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else…”

God gave each of His children a special set of gifts, talents, abilities, and passions to use for His glory… to build His kingdom.  Recognizing how God has made us unique for the purpose of glorifying Him is not sin.  When a person recognizes that God gave them the ability to teach… preach… give… be an evangelist… serve… lead… or administrate there is nothing wrong with affirming that to others.

The pride that is NOT sinful is what God has done for His glory in us.

So when you recognize a gift you have that God uses (which He gave you) to build His kingdom, there is nothing wrong with affirming that your abilities are beneficial and that you are good at them… as long as all the credit for the outcome goes to God!