Only by Pride

Proverbs makes a startling claim: “Only by pride cometh contention.” Not usually. Not mostly. Only. Behind every quarrel, somewhere, someone’s pride is in the way.

That is uncomfortable, because we would rather blame the other person. But think about your last argument. Was there a moment when you needed to be right, or needed to be seen as right, more than you needed peace?

James tells us what God thinks of that: “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Pride puts us on the wrong side of God himself. Humility puts us where grace flows.

And Jesus shows us what humility looks like. He “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.” The Son of God let go of his reputation for our sake. We can let go of ours to end a quarrel.