Pride and Humility at War: A Biblical Perspective

Is pride a necessary tool to achieve significance? Is humility a form of self-hatred? In contrast to the world, the Bible consistently presents humility as the supreme virtue, while pride is the underlying depravity behind specific sins. Pride and humility are at war . . . and humility, not pride, has the advantage.

Humility’s surprising essence is God-centeredness—living for the glory of God rather than self. On the basis of this biblical principle, Christ’s example, and the contemporary need, J. Lanier Burns argues for an unfamiliar connection between true significance and a humble dependence on the Lord.

“Professor Lanier Burns has come to our help in this splendid biblical-theological and pastoral-theological study. . . . He invites us to grow in grace with him—growing downward into the presence of God so that we will grow upward in likeness to Christ. This book is a love gift to the church and breathes the spirit of an author who comes to us saying, ‘The Lord Jesus has given me this to share with you.’ May the ‘loaves and fishes’ he brings here be blessed, broken, and multiplied in our lives!”

—Sinclair B. Ferguson, Chancellor’s Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary

 View an excerpt here.