God hates this....

God hates pride...simple as that. He has made that abundantly clear in the scriptures. We see its effects all throughout the Bible, in every aspect of our lives and world. This is not the pride of a job well done or the pride of accomplishment through honest effort or discipline born from a spirit of genuine humility recognizing God's favor. To be specific, "There are six things the Lord hates,

seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community." Proverbs 6:16-19

Pride is supremely dangerous to men. God warns about it repeatedly and its consequences. After all it was the genesis of Lucifer's fall. “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!

How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart:

‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,

I will be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit." Isaiah 14:12-15. Think of it, the most deceptive being, satan, was himself deceived by pride. As you recall, satan leveraged pride to ensnare Adam and Eve to eat from the tree .."You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman."For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:4-5. Then all hell broke loose as sin separated us from God. It's no wonder why God hates pride.

Pride is insidious, subtle in its effects often and presents in a manner of self-delusion. I have observed that it blinds the effected to their sin with devastating effectiveness. The effected continue to manifest their delusion built on pride magnifying the objects of their pride while doing their upmost to ignore that they are slowly or swiftly being undone by the sin that entangles them. Further, many ensnared by pride use it as a shield to justify the many sins that course from its rivers of deception. It's a scary place to be for those who are given the discernment to recognize the precarious state they are in. For those who remain blinded the bible warns.."Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:19.

Pride's casualties and effects are ever present in America and throughout the annals of history. For example, while I am a great fan of what Trump accomplished as President, Trump the man, in my view is a great example of being one of the most proud men of our times. As a result, his pride has cost him tremendously. It may not seem like it but I believe God has been purifying him like gold in a furnace of many trials to refine this glaring weakness in Trump's nature. "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom." Proverbs 11:2. God has certainly humbled Trump via the vehicle of disgrace many many times. Unfortunately, he is not alone. How many politicians, judges, corporations, government officials, bank executives, professionals, medical/scientific thought leaders, academicians, etc.. are monuments to pride and yet in their delusions of importance, power, and means are blind to their own wickedness, which in a just society would disqualify them from their roles? In fact, I am convinced many judges refuse to uphold the law because they themselves are lawless in their personal lives. Therefore, to pass judgement on another would indite themselves shattering the prideful image they have so meticulous built. How many religious leaders cloak themselves in pride as arbiters of duty, devotion, and sacrifice while concealing that they themselves are counterfeit as they build monuments, churches, reputations, and organizations for their glory and not God's? Have you ever realized that many movements against the church, within the church, and countering God's truth are built on the foundation of pride? Many families and friendships appear to be ripped apart as a consequence of the members having so much pride that they can't reconcile differences, humble themselves to repent, or forgive past faults. The porn, gambling, drug, or alcohol addicts who as a result of pride don't reach out for help or confront their problems until all they value lies in ruins. The parents who keep up a false image to maintain pride's demands at the cost of their children's future and authentic relationships. The child who in vain tries to maintain the pride of the family name by concealing their harmful behaviors, resulting in untold tragedy. The people of means who look down upon those of lesser means refusing to show favor to them but instead gush favor upon those who can improve their social standing. Lastly our society, not unique to all societies before us, seems to continue to strive towards mimicking the cultural icons of our day who one after the other sacrifice all on the alter of pride in exchange for fame, relevance, purpose, and riches. Where does pride lead? History records ample evidence for those who wish to learn of its destructive ends. After all, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" Mark 8:36

The distinction with a clear difference is this...while God hates pride.. He unconditionally loves all of us effected by the sin of pride. He can redeem anyone caught in pride's grasp. Don't lose heart. Cry out to him, repent in humility and He will never fail to rescue. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7. Lastly, as children of God we must be on guard recognizing God's stance towards the sin of pride and equip ourselves with the knowledge that "..in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." 2 Timothy 3:1-5