Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
Only by pride does contention come, for pride produces contention and gives rise to quarrels. Even a little pride is enough to prompt quarrels and trouble, because pride is selfish in its nature. A proud heart is corrupt and sets itself against God, and that opposition is why it produces contention. Satan's heart being lifted up by his beauty corrupted his wisdom and caused his expulsion from God's mountain, showing how heinous pride is in anyone who harbors it.
Pride shuts out good counsel both from God and from man, whereas humility seeks good counsel from both. Wisdom and pride cannot dwell together, but wisdom is with the well advised.
Pride makes people unwilling to have the truth told them, so the subject is seldom preached, and servants of Christ shrink from reproving luxury and pride for fear of offending rich friends, though the rich especially should be reproved, rebuked, and exhorted to self-denial. Those whom God has given wealth, with materials to gratify the pride of life, should set an example of deprivation for the poor and lay aside superfluities and pride. Pride is a baneful root in the garden of Christ that hinders the plant of grace from growing, and its nature is to sprout in another place when broken off in one, so it requires diligent and watchful care.
National pride can lead nations into war, and a defeated nation's demand that its pride be spared can preserve its standing as a power associated with war.
Only by pride does contention come, for pride produces contention and gives rise to quarrels. Even a little pride is enough to prompt quarrels and trouble, because pride is selfish in its nature. A proud heart is corrupt and sets itself against God, and that opposition is why it produces contention. Satan's heart being lifted up by his beauty corrupted his wisdom and caused his expulsion from God's mountain, showing how heinous pride is in anyone who harbors it.
Pride shuts out good counsel both from God and from man, whereas humility seeks good counsel from both. Wisdom and pride cannot dwell together, but wisdom is with the well advised.
Pride makes people unwilling to have the truth told them, so the subject is seldom preached, and servants of Christ shrink from reproving luxury and pride for fear of offending rich friends, though the rich especially should be reproved, rebuked, and exhorted to self-denial. Those whom God has given wealth, with materials to gratify the pride of life, should set an example of deprivation for the poor and lay aside superfluities and pride. Pride is a baneful root in the garden of Christ that hinders the plant of grace from growing, and its nature is to sprout in another place when broken off in one, so it requires diligent and watchful care.
National pride can lead nations into war, and a defeated nation's demand that its pride be spared can preserve its standing as a power associated with war.