The sin of pride

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Anglewannabe

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Lately, I have been doing a lot of thinking about the sin of pride. And it hit be that this sin is actually quite ‘manipulative’. Let me explain. I use to think being prideful meant thinking you are better than others and not being able to admit when you are wrong.

I am now realizing that those traits are not always obvious. Not too sure how to explain what I am saying but sometimes it is confusing to know when I am entitled to my opinion and when I am wrong.

Nonetheless, does anyone know of any good books that discuss the sin of pride? and how to over come it?

Angie
 
Anglewannabe said:
Lately, I have been doing a lot of thinking about the sin of pride. And it hit be that this sin is actually quite ‘manipulative’. Let me explain. I use to think being prideful meant thinking you are better than others and not being able to admit when you are wrong.

I am now realizing that those traits are not always obvious. Not too sure how to explain what I am saying but sometimes it is confusing to know when I am entitled to my opinion and when I am wrong.

Nonetheless, does anyone know of any good books that discuss the sin of pride? and how to over come it?

Angie
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I believe C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity has a chapter on pride, but I’m not sure.

The Screwtape Letters or The Four Loves may also be helpful.

These aren’t book-length treatments, but I think you could get a lot out of them all.
 
I just googled ‘books on pride’ and one that came up is ‘Breaking Pride’ by Heather Bixler. Has anyone read it? I am always a bit nervous when I think of buying a book that is not written by a Catholic
 
Aquinas considered that pride is the root of all other sins. I believe CS Lewis descirbed it similarly - as the chief sin.

I’m sure sure of any good books that discuss it, other than reading Aquinas (which will do your head in). Not sure about CS Lewis, but his stuff is worth reading anyway.

Humility is the virtue opposed to pride. You can read more about both here:

newadvent.org/cathen/12405a.htm

newadvent.org/cathen/07543b.htm
 
Hi Underacould

Thanks for the links. I will check them out (I am too tired right now)

I agree that pride is one of the main sins. After all, if it is what sent the devil to hell, it must be bad

Angie
 
Angelwannabe,

Not sure of any books but I confess sins of Pride almost every week. The graces from the Sacrament of Reconciliation are helping me be less prideful.

The remedy to Pride is Humility. You could look for the Litany of Humility online and pray it frequently. I find that it helps, as well.

Be at peace.
 
I have struggled with pride, too. I think ultimately it is about trusting in God and not thinking you know better. Listening to God’s guidance as well as the people he puts in your life.
 
I ordered a couple of books from Amazon and they already arrived. One is ‘Breaking Pride’ by Heather Bixler. It is NOT good. It is only 50 pages and written in big letters so no material at all. And so far, all it talks about is how bad pride is. I think I am well aware that pride is bad. It does not give any practical solutions.

Well, I will keep on plugging
 
Pride is destructive,The sin of pride is the sin of sins. It was this sin, we’re told, which transformed Lucifer, an anointed cherub of God, the very "seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty,"1 into Satan, the devil, the father of lies, the one for whom Hell itself was created.2 We’re warned to guard our hearts against pride lest we too "fall into the same condemnation as the devil."3

It was the sin of pride which first led Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit. In Genesis we read, "Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate."4 And who do you think was that serpent of old who first introduced Eve to this sin of pride? It was none other than the devil himself,5 eager to share his condemnation with others.

St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.) wrote, "'Pride is the commencement of all sin’6 because it was this which overthrew the devil, from whom arose the origin of sin; and afterwards, when his malice and envy pursued man, who was yet standing in his uprightness, it subverted him in the same way in which he himself fell. For the serpent, in fact, only sought for the door of pride whereby to enter when he said, ‘Ye shall be as gods.’"7
 
Sin Of Pride - Preoccupation With Self
The sin of pride is a preoccupation with self. It is thus very fitting that the middle letter in the word is “i.” Pride is all about “me, myself, and I.” So even as the word “pride” is centered upon an “i,” the sin itself is also centered upon “I.” We read of Lucifer’s fall, "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit."8 Satan’s enmity against God began with “I”. And so it is with us. If you are preoccupied with yourself, you are suffering from the sin of pride.

One way to determine whether or not you are preoccupied with yourself is to evaluate your motives. Take the pursuit knowledge for example. If you study hard because that’s what the Lord wants you to do and you’re being obedient to Him, that’s good. That’s obedience to God. Or if you study hard because you want to become a teacher so that you can edify others and help them to grow, that’s good too. That’s love for others. But if you study hard solely to amass knowledge for yourself, just so you can say that you know more than everyone else, that’s bad! Your focus is upon yourself and your own glory. That’s preoccupation with self. That’s pride. And if this is the case for you, not only are you already suffering from pride, you’re setting yourself up to be totally consumed by it! The Apostle Paul wasn’t joking when he said, "Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies."9 And anyone who is ever been there will tell you, knowledge for the wrong reasons (i.e. personal glory) will lead to a proud heart and enmity against God.
 
A good book that speaks about pride and the need for humility is an older book, but still available on amazon.com … it is entitled “Humility of Heart” by Fr. Cajetan Mary de Bergamo … Translated by Herbert Cardinal Vaughan.
 
Anglewannabe said:
Lately, I have been doing a lot of thinking about the sin of pride. And it hit be that this sin is actually quite ‘manipulative’. Let me explain. I use to think being prideful meant thinking you are better than others and not being able to admit when you are wrong.

I am now realizing that those traits are not always obvious. Not too sure how to explain what I am saying but sometimes it is confusing to know when I am entitled to my opinion and when I am wrong.

Nonetheless, does anyone know of any good books that discuss the sin of pride? and how to over come it?

Angie
Click to expand...
Pride is a manipulative sin.

It can also blind you to the help/advice offered by others. Sometimes the advice offered is discard and thrown to the side because you know better. This happens quite often, even in this forum.
 
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