Why is it a Sin to Be Proud of My Daughter?

My Mom and My Pastor Say Pride is a Sin

Dear April, I read your book, so I know you are a Christian. I hope you can answer this question for me. My mother and my pastor both say it is a sin for me to be proud of my 4 year old daughter's accomplishments. They say pride is a sin and I shouldn't be teaching

 it to my daughter. My question is, as a Christian mother, why is it a sin to be proud of my daughter? ~ Noel

Dear Noel, first of all, I believe your mother is confused about "motherly pride." Your Heavenly Father is very proud of you, Noel, just as you are. You do not have to "perform" for Him. The Bible teaches that.

Secondly, you should never take as "gospel" what any man says, even if he is standing behind a pulpit. We are told to test what we hear against our authority: The Word of God. Pastors can be wrong!

Let's look at pride as the Word of God looks at it. You need to be prepared to look up a few scriptures, so get your Bible.

- The first evidence of pride is when Lucifer (the previous name for Satan) said, "I will be like the most high God." He was not content to be #1 Angel in the Presence of God. No, he wanted to BE God.

- The second evidence of pride is in the Garden of Eden when Satan told Eve that God was holding out on her because He knew once she took of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, she would "be like the Most High God."

- Pride looks down on people, not up. And God resists the proud. (You will find that in I Peter 5:5 and in Proverbs 3:34.)

- Pride defiles us as human beings and is punishable by God. (You will find that in Proverbs 16:5 and in Proverbs 21:4.)

- Pride will never admit mistakes!

- Pride has an ungrateful spirit.

- Pride compares himself to others, and always comes out the winner.

- Pride is a fist in the face of God. It is listed as one of the seven things God hates - they are an abomination to Him. (You will find that in Proverbs 6:16-18.)

- Pride says to God, "I don't need You. I am my own master."

- Because we as humans are so susceptible to pride, Timothy warned against new converts becoming pastors in I Timothy 3. In fact, that entire chapter spells out the qualifications of all "overseers" (pastors) and deacons.

What Pride is NOT

Pride is not "Job well done!"