J
JLoid
Guest
Hello everyone and anyone.
Please how can I tell if I am committing the sin of Pride?
Please how can I tell if I am committing the sin of Pride?
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B
bardegaulois
Guest
This is really more a question for your confessor, who knows your soul far more intimately than any of us here do. One thing I can say, though, is that capital sins are manifested through our actions and thoughts, those we confess by name and by number at each confession. Remember that we don’t confess states; we confess those sins that we know we’ve committed, and ask for counsel if we’re unsure.
This is best dealt with in specific cases rather than generally, by asking perhaps if any of your specific thoughts, words, or deeds were prideful. In any case, though, whatever the state of our soul, we could always benefit from practicing and praying for that virtue which is the opposite of pride, humility.
If there’s any counsel here, it might be to confess as you always have, leaving the judgments to your spiritual father, and adding an act of humility, like the following, the your prayer routine:
"O divine Lord, how shall I dare to approach you, I who have so often offended you? No, Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof; but speak only the word and my soul shall be healed. "
This is best dealt with in specific cases rather than generally, by asking perhaps if any of your specific thoughts, words, or deeds were prideful. In any case, though, whatever the state of our soul, we could always benefit from practicing and praying for that virtue which is the opposite of pride, humility.
If there’s any counsel here, it might be to confess as you always have, leaving the judgments to your spiritual father, and adding an act of humility, like the following, the your prayer routine:
"O divine Lord, how shall I dare to approach you, I who have so often offended you? No, Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof; but speak only the word and my soul shall be healed. "
J
JLoid
Guest
Thank you.
I’m in a general state of confusion / questioning / void. Seems I’ve taken a lot for granted.
I’m in a general state of confusion / questioning / void. Seems I’ve taken a lot for granted.
D
Debbie_Keefe
Guest
Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo wrote a book I love called Humility of Heart. He says, " If we examine all our falls into sin, whether venial or mortal, the cause will always be found in some hidden pride".
And… " Never suffer pride to reign in thy mind or in thy words, for from it all perdition took its beginning." - Tobias 4:14
"Jesus Christ calls us all into His school to learn, not to work miracles, nor to astonish the world by marvelous enterprises, but to be humble of heart. Learn of Me, for I am meek and humble of heart’ "
And… " Never suffer pride to reign in thy mind or in thy words, for from it all perdition took its beginning." - Tobias 4:14
"Jesus Christ calls us all into His school to learn, not to work miracles, nor to astonish the world by marvelous enterprises, but to be humble of heart. Learn of Me, for I am meek and humble of heart’ "
C
ClearWater
Guest
Well, if the pride is great, one will be unable to ever admit to a mistake, apologize, or admit to not knowing something.Hello everyone and anyone.
Please how can I tell if I am committing the sin of Pride?
However, it’s been said all us sinners struggle with pride, that all sin is related to pride.
With pride, we can see some others as inferior to us. We can look down them, not want to share.
We can see our accomplishments only as our own, not realizing it’s God working through us.
When we don’t want to acknowledge other accomplishments or put ours above theirs.
C
ClearWater
Guest
It’s easier to tell if it’s sinful with examples. Why do you think you are sinning?
A priest could answer that question in confession.
A priest could answer that question in confession.
J
JimR-OCDS
Guest
When you try to project a false image of yourself.Hello everyone and anyone.
Please how can I tell if I am committing the sin of Pride?
Jim
R
ready
Guest
Do you think you are better than you truly are? Do you see yourself as better than God sees you?Hello everyone and anyone.
Please how can I tell if I am committing the sin of Pride?
Five Effects of Pride:
- Vainglory
a. Boasting
b. Dissimulation/ Duplicity - Ambition
- Contempt for others
- Anger/ Revenge/ Resentment
- Stubbornness/ Obstinacy
M
mebcb
Guest
I have always been intrigued with the subject of pride. It is everything that Ready just posted, but to my mind it is also more than that. I think God has instilled in us a “sense of pride” for a purpose. For instance, to take pride in one’s work, esp. for works for God or for mercy, as long as we recognize that all is through Him and for Him. Without some margin of pride or self worth it would be a pretty unfruitful world. With the “right kind” of pride humility is the balancing partner of the graces. We want to do our best for God without the boasting and vanity of secular man. So…I think pride is not intrinsically “bad,” but can make the light of the Lord shine on what we do, say, and think.
I am sure that not everyone will agree, but you know…I have a simple mind.
I am sure that not everyone will agree, but you know…I have a simple mind.
M
Mystical_Seeker
Guest
Excerpts from chapter 2 of Dark Night of the Soul, by St. John of the Cross. He gives some fascinating insights on certain kinds of spiritual pride that can happen to a person while along a journey toward union with God. It’s very subtle an complicated as far as I’m concerned, but it’s really interesting because it shows how subtle pride can be and how it can disguise itself as humility.
Source: ewtn.com/library/SOURCES/DARK-JC.TXT
CHAPTER 2
exercises and undertakings that a certain kind of secret pride is generated
in them that begets a complacency with themselves and their
accomplishments, even though holy works do of their very nature cause
humility. Then they develop a somewhat vain – at times very vain – desire
to speak of spiritual things in others’ presence, and sometimes even to
instruct rather than be instructed; in their hearts they condemn others who
do not seem to have the kind of devotion they would like them to have, and
sometimes they give expression to this criticism like the pharisee who
despised the publican while he boasted and praised God for the good deeds
he himself accomplished [Lk. 18:11-12].1
2.2. The devil, desiring the growth of pride and presumption in these
beginners, often increases their fervor and readiness to perform such
works, and other ones, too. For he is quite aware that all these works and
virtues are not only worthless for them, but even become vices. Some of
these persons become so evil-minded that they do not want anyone except
themselves to appear holy; and so by both word and deed they condemn and
detract others whenever the occasion arises, seeing the little splinter in
their brother’s eye and failing to consider the wooden beam in their own
eye [Mt. 7:3]; they strain at the other’s gnat and swallow their own camel
[Mt. 23:24].
…
2.4. Many want to be the favorites of their confessors, and thus they are
consumed by a thousand envies and disquietudes. Embarrassment forbids them
from relating their sins clearly, lest their reputation diminish in their
confessor’s eyes. They confess their sins in the most favorable light so as
to appear better than they actually are, and thus they approach the
confessional to excuse themselves rather than accuse themselves. Sometimes
they confess the evil things they do to a different confessor so that their
own confessor might think they commit no sins at all. Therefore, in their
desire to appear holy, they enjoy relating their good behavior to their
confessor, and in such careful terms that these good deeds appear greater
than they actually are. It would be more humble of them, as we will point
out later,2 to make light of the good they do and to wish that no one,
neither their confessor nor anybody else, should consider it of any
importance at all.
2.5. Sometimes they minimize their faults, and at other times they become
discouraged by them, since they felt they were already saints, and they
become impatient and angry with themselves, which is yet another fault.
2.5.(2). They are often extremely anxious that God remove their faults and
imperfections, but their motive is personal peace rather than God. They
fail to realize that were God to remove their faults they might very well
become more proud and presumptuous.
…
2.6. The number of these imperfections is serious in some people and causes
them a good deal of harm. Some have fewer, some have more, and yet others
have little more than the first movements toward them. But there are
scarcely any beginners who at the time of their initial fervor do not fall
victim to some of these imperfections.
2.6.(2). But souls who are advancing in perfection at this time act in an
entirely different manner and with a different quality of spirit. They
receive great benefit from their humility, by which they not only place
little importance on their deeds, but also take very little self-
satisfaction from them. They think everyone else is far better than they
are, and usually possess a holy envy of them and would like to emulate
their service of God. Since they are truly humble, their growing fervor and
the increased number of their good deeds and the gratification they receive
from them only cause them to become more aware of their debt to God and the
inadequacy of their service to him, and thus the more they do, the less
satisfaction they derive from it. Their charity and love makes them want to
do so much for God that what they actually do accomplish seems as nothing.
This loving solicitude goads them, preoccupies them, and absorbs them to
such an extent that they never notice what others do or do not accomplish,
but if they should, they then think, as I say, that everyone is better than
they. They think they themselves are insignificant, and want others to
think this also and to belittle and slight their deeds. Moreover, even
though others do praise and value their works, these souls are unable to
believe them; such praises seem strange to them.
2.7. These souls humbly and tranquilly long to be taught by anyone who
might be a help to them. This desire is the exact opposite of that other
desire we mentioned above, of those who want to be themselves the teachers
in everything. When these others notice that someone is trying to give them
some instruction, they themselves take the words from their very mouths as
though they already know everything.
Source: ewtn.com/library/SOURCES/DARK-JC.TXT
CHAPTER 2
- Some of the imperfections of pride possessed by beginners.
exercises and undertakings that a certain kind of secret pride is generated
in them that begets a complacency with themselves and their
accomplishments, even though holy works do of their very nature cause
humility. Then they develop a somewhat vain – at times very vain – desire
to speak of spiritual things in others’ presence, and sometimes even to
instruct rather than be instructed; in their hearts they condemn others who
do not seem to have the kind of devotion they would like them to have, and
sometimes they give expression to this criticism like the pharisee who
despised the publican while he boasted and praised God for the good deeds
he himself accomplished [Lk. 18:11-12].1
2.2. The devil, desiring the growth of pride and presumption in these
beginners, often increases their fervor and readiness to perform such
works, and other ones, too. For he is quite aware that all these works and
virtues are not only worthless for them, but even become vices. Some of
these persons become so evil-minded that they do not want anyone except
themselves to appear holy; and so by both word and deed they condemn and
detract others whenever the occasion arises, seeing the little splinter in
their brother’s eye and failing to consider the wooden beam in their own
eye [Mt. 7:3]; they strain at the other’s gnat and swallow their own camel
[Mt. 23:24].
…
2.4. Many want to be the favorites of their confessors, and thus they are
consumed by a thousand envies and disquietudes. Embarrassment forbids them
from relating their sins clearly, lest their reputation diminish in their
confessor’s eyes. They confess their sins in the most favorable light so as
to appear better than they actually are, and thus they approach the
confessional to excuse themselves rather than accuse themselves. Sometimes
they confess the evil things they do to a different confessor so that their
own confessor might think they commit no sins at all. Therefore, in their
desire to appear holy, they enjoy relating their good behavior to their
confessor, and in such careful terms that these good deeds appear greater
than they actually are. It would be more humble of them, as we will point
out later,2 to make light of the good they do and to wish that no one,
neither their confessor nor anybody else, should consider it of any
importance at all.
2.5. Sometimes they minimize their faults, and at other times they become
discouraged by them, since they felt they were already saints, and they
become impatient and angry with themselves, which is yet another fault.
2.5.(2). They are often extremely anxious that God remove their faults and
imperfections, but their motive is personal peace rather than God. They
fail to realize that were God to remove their faults they might very well
become more proud and presumptuous.
…
2.6. The number of these imperfections is serious in some people and causes
them a good deal of harm. Some have fewer, some have more, and yet others
have little more than the first movements toward them. But there are
scarcely any beginners who at the time of their initial fervor do not fall
victim to some of these imperfections.
2.6.(2). But souls who are advancing in perfection at this time act in an
entirely different manner and with a different quality of spirit. They
receive great benefit from their humility, by which they not only place
little importance on their deeds, but also take very little self-
satisfaction from them. They think everyone else is far better than they
are, and usually possess a holy envy of them and would like to emulate
their service of God. Since they are truly humble, their growing fervor and
the increased number of their good deeds and the gratification they receive
from them only cause them to become more aware of their debt to God and the
inadequacy of their service to him, and thus the more they do, the less
satisfaction they derive from it. Their charity and love makes them want to
do so much for God that what they actually do accomplish seems as nothing.
This loving solicitude goads them, preoccupies them, and absorbs them to
such an extent that they never notice what others do or do not accomplish,
but if they should, they then think, as I say, that everyone is better than
they. They think they themselves are insignificant, and want others to
think this also and to belittle and slight their deeds. Moreover, even
though others do praise and value their works, these souls are unable to
believe them; such praises seem strange to them.
2.7. These souls humbly and tranquilly long to be taught by anyone who
might be a help to them. This desire is the exact opposite of that other
desire we mentioned above, of those who want to be themselves the teachers
in everything. When these others notice that someone is trying to give them
some instruction, they themselves take the words from their very mouths as
though they already know everything.
R
ready
Guest
The OP asked about the* sin *of pride, which is different from the good and healthy pride of which you speak. There is nothing at all sinful or wrong about good, healthy pride: taking pride in a job well done, in one’s country, in one’s Catholic faith … only the sin of pride is bad. God bless you.I have always been intrigued with the subject of pride. It is everything that Ready just posted, but to my mind it is also more than that. I think God has instilled in us a “sense of pride” for a purpose. For instance, to take pride in one’s work, esp. for works for God or for mercy, as long as we recognize that all is through Him and for Him. Without some margin of pride or self worth it would be a pretty unfruitful world. With the “right kind” of pride humility is the balancing partner of the graces. We want to do our best for God without the boasting and vanity of secular man. So…I think pride is not intrinsically “bad,” but can make the light of the Lord shine on what we do, say, and think.
I am sure that not everyone will agree, but you know…I have a simple mind.
J
JLoid
Guest
Oh dear, you mean there’s the good pride and bad pride?
R
ready
Guest
Bad pride is the sinful kind. It is what caused Lucifer and Adam and Eve to fall. I listed 5 effects of the sinful kind of pride. Good pride is the innocent pride we experience when we feel proud of a done a job well done, when we feel proud of our country, our Catholic Faith, etc… Do you understand why one sort is sinful and the other is not? God bless you.Oh dear, you mean there’s the good pride and bad pride?
J
JLoid
Guest
Thank you very much. This clears up a great big mess in my head. I never understood these and just basically assumed the word “Pride” and anything associated with it was bad. But was always confused about statements like you stated above: Proud of my son, proud of my country, etc.
Well, pride is dangerous then. The more you have it, the less likely you know you have it.
Oh dear, thank you everyone. Please pray for me. I think I have it.
Well, pride is dangerous then. The more you have it, the less likely you know you have it.
Oh dear, thank you everyone. Please pray for me. I think I have it.
R
ready
Guest
Sounds right. God bless you.Well, pride is dangerous then.
If we are inordinately proud of a child, of our country, of a job well done, etc. then this is not good pride. You understand, right?
The more you have it, the less likely you know you have it.
M
Mary_Ellen
Guest
I thought it might help if I posted the questions I review when I make my examination of conscience related to the sin of Pride:
PRIDE
Pride is conquered by humility.
Do I entertain too great an opinion of myself or value myself above my deserts?
Have I a superior attitude in thinking, or speaking or acting?
Have I refused to admit my own weakness (es)?
Am I snobbish?
Have I offensive, haughty ways of acting or carrying myself?
Do I hold myself above others?
Do I demand recognition?
Do I desire to be always first?
Do I never seek advice? Am I ready to accept advice?
Have I refused to learn from others?
Am I in any sense a “bully”? Am I inclined to be “bossy”?
Am I prone to belittle persons, or places, or things?
Am I prone to be critical of persons, places, things?
Do I speak ill of others?
Have I lied about others?
Do I make known the faults of others?
Am I ready to speak about the faults of others? Do I find fault easily?
Do I seek to place the blame on others, excusing myself?
Am I quick to see the faults of others? Or dwell on others’ faults?
Do I ridicule others?
Is there anyone to whom I refuse to speak? Is there anyone to whom I have not spoken for a long time?
Am I prone to argue? Am I positive and offensive in my arguments? Have I a superior, “a know-it-all attitude” in arguments?
Have I been stubborn? Refused to admit I was wrong? Refused to accept that another person had a better idea?
Am I self-conscious?
Does human respect enter into my daily life?
Am I sensitive? Am I easily wounded?
Do I tend to publish what I think good in myself, that I may be esteemed by others?
Am I arrogant, attributing to myself the good I have not?
Am I presumptuous and overly ambitious, by confiding too much in my own strength, conceiving myself capable of accomplishing things above my abilities, and in rashly attempting them?
Do I have contempt of others, on account of the good opinions I have of myself, and is this contempt manifested by words or actions or by being severe and exacting on inferiors?
Do I neglect to submit to my superiors, by disobeying them, blaming their conduct, or murmuring against them?
Do I refuse to acknowledge my faults; or when, in confessing the facts, we maintain we have done well, or at least allege false excuses?
Do I have contempt of admonitions and corrections?
Am I ungrateful for God’s benefits?
Have I been content with my lowly position, or have I resented the role that Christ asks of me?
False-humility fails to use our gifts. Have I neglected to use the talents that God has given me?
PRIDE
Pride is conquered by humility.
Do I entertain too great an opinion of myself or value myself above my deserts?
Have I a superior attitude in thinking, or speaking or acting?
Have I refused to admit my own weakness (es)?
Am I snobbish?
Have I offensive, haughty ways of acting or carrying myself?
Do I hold myself above others?
Do I demand recognition?
Do I desire to be always first?
Do I never seek advice? Am I ready to accept advice?
Have I refused to learn from others?
Am I in any sense a “bully”? Am I inclined to be “bossy”?
Am I prone to belittle persons, or places, or things?
Am I prone to be critical of persons, places, things?
Do I speak ill of others?
Have I lied about others?
Do I make known the faults of others?
Am I ready to speak about the faults of others? Do I find fault easily?
Do I seek to place the blame on others, excusing myself?
Am I quick to see the faults of others? Or dwell on others’ faults?
Do I ridicule others?
Is there anyone to whom I refuse to speak? Is there anyone to whom I have not spoken for a long time?
Am I prone to argue? Am I positive and offensive in my arguments? Have I a superior, “a know-it-all attitude” in arguments?
Have I been stubborn? Refused to admit I was wrong? Refused to accept that another person had a better idea?
Am I self-conscious?
Does human respect enter into my daily life?
Am I sensitive? Am I easily wounded?
Do I tend to publish what I think good in myself, that I may be esteemed by others?
Am I arrogant, attributing to myself the good I have not?
Am I presumptuous and overly ambitious, by confiding too much in my own strength, conceiving myself capable of accomplishing things above my abilities, and in rashly attempting them?
Do I have contempt of others, on account of the good opinions I have of myself, and is this contempt manifested by words or actions or by being severe and exacting on inferiors?
Do I neglect to submit to my superiors, by disobeying them, blaming their conduct, or murmuring against them?
Do I refuse to acknowledge my faults; or when, in confessing the facts, we maintain we have done well, or at least allege false excuses?
Do I have contempt of admonitions and corrections?
Am I ungrateful for God’s benefits?
Have I been content with my lowly position, or have I resented the role that Christ asks of me?
False-humility fails to use our gifts. Have I neglected to use the talents that God has given me?
M
Mystical_Seeker
Guest
Mary_Ellen, those are great!
You just reminded me of the “Litany of Humility” …
(from EWTN site)
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved…
From the desire of being extolled …
From the desire of being honored …
From the desire of being praised …
From the desire of being preferred to others…
From the desire of being consulted …
From the desire of being approved …
From the fear of being humiliated …
From the fear of being despised…
From the fear of suffering rebukes …
From the fear of being calumniated …
From the fear of being forgotten …
From the fear of being ridiculed …
From the fear of being wronged …
From the fear of being suspected …
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I …
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease …
That others may be chosen and I set aside …
That others may be praised and I unnoticed …
That others may be preferred to me in everything…
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…
You just reminded me of the “Litany of Humility” …
(from EWTN site)
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved…
From the desire of being extolled …
From the desire of being honored …
From the desire of being praised …
From the desire of being preferred to others…
From the desire of being consulted …
From the desire of being approved …
From the fear of being humiliated …
From the fear of being despised…
From the fear of suffering rebukes …
From the fear of being calumniated …
From the fear of being forgotten …
From the fear of being ridiculed …
From the fear of being wronged …
From the fear of being suspected …
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I …
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease …
That others may be chosen and I set aside …
That others may be praised and I unnoticed …
That others may be preferred to me in everything…
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…
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