The Bible lists seven sins that God hates. Included is lying, murder, eagerness to sin, and other acts of disobedience. “A proud look” is listed first, apparently outranking the others (Proverbs 6:16-19). Given such prominence, we must consider the sin of pride carefully.*

American Rock and Roll icon Elvis Presley once said, “The image is one thing and the human being is another...It's very hard to live up to an image.”[i]  Presley died of a drug overdose in 1977.

A “proud look” is like a water mirage in the middle of the desert.  When a person drinks from it they end up with a mouthful of sand. 

We must not be overly concerned with image.  God doesn’t base his approval of us by how we appear to others.  He looks at our substance. 

Jesus spoke some of his harshest words to the Pharisees for having a “proud look.” He said they were like whitewashed tombs, beautiful on the outside but on the inside, full dead bones and impurity (Matthew 23:27-28).

The desire to create a favorable “image” lures us into comparing ourselves to others which only breeds pride, guilt, envy, or hatred.  Often without ever verbalizing so, we compare ourselves to others in areas such as accomplishments, material possessions, recognitions, position or power, funds, and talents.

Paul said that it is stupid to make ourselves feel or look important by comparing ourselves to others or by comparing ourselves to ourselves by pointing out at how far we have come (2 Corinthians 10:12).  He also instructed, “Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.  For we are each responsible for our own conduct” (Galatians 6:4-5).

I read a sermon[ii] once in which the preacher quoted a well known Christian author as saying,  “Suppose you are in a group photo. The first time you see the picture where do you look? And if you look good, do you like the picture? If you are the ONLY one who looks good, do you still like the picture?

If some are cross-eyed and others have spinach in their teeth—but you still look good—do you like the picture? If that’s what makes you like it even more, you’ve got a bad case of pride.” 

Voltaire (1694-1778) made an interesting observation when he said, “We are rarely proud when we are alone.”[iii]

“People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person's thoughts and intentions” (1 Samuel 16:7).

By vigilantly examining our thoughts, motives, attitudes, speech, and actions we can discern, disarm, and destroy pride.