3. The Pearl of Humility
In the last chapter we saw that the most fundamental aspect of learning the wisdom Proverbs offers is the "fear of the LORD" – something Proverbs stresses from the beginning of its first chapter (Proverbs 1:7) to the end of its last one (Proverbs 31:30). This fear of God does not mean cringing, apprehensive fear, of course, but the kind of deep and very real respect that young children should have for their parents. We also saw that Proverbs defines fear of the LORD as "to hate evil" (Proverbs 8:13; etc.), but interestingly, Proverbs gives us another definition of the fear of God that builds on this one. Notice, first, the scripture we looked at earlier:
To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. (Proverbs 8:13) Notice how the first example of evil we are given in this wisdom saying is pride. Proverbs stresses the evils of pride repeatedly, contrasting it continually with humility. For example:
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2) Now notice the only other definition that Proverbs offers us of what the fear of God is in practical terms:
Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4) Proverbs actually places humility alongside the hatred of evil as its two definitions of the fear of God. Once we recognize that fact, we see the principle in other proverbs (Proverbs 15:33; etc.), and we begin to realize that humility is just as important in Proverbs as it is in the New Testament teachings of Jesus! This is because the Bible indicates pride is a primary sin that in some ways is worse than any other. As C.S. Lewis wrote: "It is the complete anti-God state of mind" (The Case for Christianity). But pride also has massive and far-reaching effects on our everyday physical lives. Proverbs addresses both the spiritual and physical aspects of the poison of pride – and the need for humility if we are to grow in wisdom.
In realizing this, we need to be sure to understand what pride is and is not, of course. Proverbs shows that pride is not the emotion of pleasure we experience from the accomplishments of others, of "our" team or family, for example, and it makes this clear:
Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. (Proverbs 17:6) Pride is also not the appreciation of the talents or blessings we may have been given or taking pleasure in even small things we may have been able to accomplish. For example:
A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! (Proverbs 15:23) On the other hand, any sense of self-aggrandizement that sees us as better or desires to be better than others certainly is the kind of perversion of perspective that is wrongful pride. Proverbs is unfailing in its condemnation of such an attitude – continually warning that those who elevate themselves will be brought down:
The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. (Proverbs 16:5) Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18) In contrast to the attitude of the proud, Proverbs encourages us to take the path of humility which, if faithfully followed, will bring honor in due course:
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 18:12)
Wisdom's instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 15:33)
Proverbs recognizes, as does modern psychology, that ironically pride ultimately brings us the very opposite of what it seems to offer – as does humility:
Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor. (Proverbs 29:23) And even in cases where a humble attitude does not lead to a physically more successful life, Proverbs makes it clear that it is still the better path to take:
Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. (Proverbs 16:19) Humility, like all aspects of good living, is ultimately its own reward – if for no other reason than it protects us from the evils that pride causes. We will see some of those evils in the following chapters of this book where pride can be seen to bring problems in so many areas of life – while a humble, teachable attitude enables us to see and take the path of wisdom.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2) We will close this chapter with a single small instance of this:
Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. (Proverbs 13:10) This is a wonderful example of how most biblical proverbs are actually two proverbs – two thoughts that interconnect in some way. Here the initial point is that pride invariably lies at the root of interpersonal conflict, but this verse also clearly stresses a related fact – that pride so often stops us from taking advice that we might need, advice that if taken might avoid or lessen strife or have other advantages:
Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. (Proverbs 19:20)
The advice to which we must be humble enough to listen is not only of a spiritual nature. It may come from any of a number of physical sources – and be offered by family, friends, co-workers, or others. Or, of course, it may be advice that is offered us by the book of Proverbs itself.