Pride is a complicated thing. We are often told pride is wrong yet also hear "I'm so proud of you!" or "You should take more pride in your work." To avoid this confusion, it is important for Christians to understand then, what the Bible says about pride.

The first thing to know is that in the Bible, pride is never once presented by God as a good thing. It is a sin. Pride is what causes humiliation and shame.

Proverbs 11:2 - [When] pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly [is] wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18 - Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 29:23 - A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Pride is also what brought Satan to where he is.

Ezekiel 28:17- Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

So, the Christian mindset about pride should always be a negative one. Now, it probably isn't a sin to say things that were mentioned earlier, it probably just isn't a good idea, because words have power and tend to build a mindset. There are plenty of healthier ways to talk though. When Jesus Christ was baptized the Father said He was pleased with Him. This is a good alternative to saying we are proud of someone.

Matthew 3:17 - And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Also, rejecting pride does not mean rejecting diligence, hard work, and satisfaction. God says we should work hard and take pleasure in it. Satisfaction is not a sin, rather, it is lifting up ourselves, thinking that we are "somebody" that deserves notice and attention especially more so than others. Christians must remember that while having things from this life are good, they are nothing compared to what God has or to what others have had before us. We must be humble.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 - Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Jeremiah 9:23 - Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches:

Romans 12:16 - [Be] of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Galatians 6:3 - For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

For the successful Christian life, whether it be spiritual or physical, one must remember to be humble and grateful.

James 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

James 4:10 - Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Proverbs 29:23 - A man's pride shall bring him low:  but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Ephesians 5:10 - Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;