This Pride Is Right

The Pride That Pleases God: Building Up What Matters Most
Pride is typically a dirty word in Christian circles—and for good reason. Scripture warns repeatedly about the dangers of arrogance, haughtiness, and self-exaltation. We've all heard that "pride comes before a fall" and that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

But what if I told you there's a kind of pride that actually honors God?

When Pride Is Right
Hidden in the pages of 2 Chronicles is a remarkable statement about King Jehoshaphat that should make us pause: "He took great pride in the ways of the Lord" (2 Chronicles 17:6). The Hebrew word used here—gabah—is the same word typically translated as pride throughout Scripture, usually in a negative sense. Yet here it describes something beautiful: a man whose heart was lifted high in devotion to God.

This isn't the pride of self-promotion or arrogance. It's the pride of a parent beaming as their children serve others with joy. It's the pride of watching someone you love ordained into ministry, tears streaming down your face. It's the pride that comes from seeing God glorified and wanting nothing more than to participate in His work.

So what does this "right pride"—this God-honoring elevation of heart—actually look like in practice?

Following the Best Examples
Jehoshaphat didn't become a man of godly pride by accident. Scripture tells us "he followed the example of his father David's earlier days and did not seek the Baals" (2 Chronicles 17:3). Notice that important qualifier: David's earlier days.

Jehoshaphat was wise enough to discern the best parts of the example set before him. He recognized that even great men of faith have their failures, and he chose to emulate David's devotion to God while avoiding his later mistakes.

This is a crucial lesson for all of us. We live in an age that tends toward extremes—either idolizing our heroes or completely canceling them when they fail. But wisdom calls us to something more nuanced: learning from the good while acknowledging the human.

Perhaps you grew up in a Christian home. Maybe your parents or grandparents modeled faith in ways that still impact you today. Don't take that legacy lightly. The sacrifices made to bring you to church, to provide Christian education, to pray with you at bedtime—these create a foundation that can withstand life's storms.

And if you didn't have that heritage? You have the incredible opportunity to start one now. You can be the first link in a chain of faith that extends for generations.

But here's the sobering reality: whether you realize it or not, you are an example to someone. If people followed you around all day, every day, what would they learn about following Jesus? What would they see in your priorities, your conversations, your entertainment choices, your relationships?

Taking Action: Building Up and Tearing Down
A right pride doesn't sit passively. Jehoshaphat understood that living in this world requires intentional action—both constructive and destructive.

First, he built fortresses along the northern border of Judah to protect against the corrupting influence of Israel's idol worship. He also established store cities—places where supplies were kept ready for times of need.

We need spiritual fortresses too. We need to identify the evil influences that threaten our souls and build barriers against them. We need store cities filled with prayer, worship, Scripture, service, and accountability—resources we can draw upon when temptation comes knocking.

One practical example: a family struggling to read Scripture together started a group text. As each member reads the Bible, they share what they're learning with the whole family. It's a beautiful use of technology to build up spiritual strength together.

But building up isn't enough. Jehoshaphat also tore down the high places and Asherah poles—places of idol worship that drew people away from God.

What needs to be torn down in your life?

Perhaps it's the idol of the "unholy trinity"—me, myself, and I. We may not bow before carved images, but we can easily make life all about our comfort, our preferences, our pleasure. When things don't go our way, our reactions reveal who we really worship.

Maybe it's the influences we allow into our minds. The mind is a portal to the soul, and what we consume shapes the trajectory of our lives. What are you watching? What are you reading? What are you allowing to form your thoughts and desires?

Or perhaps it's a false identity. In a world obsessed with self-definition, we're tempted to find our worth in our accomplishments, our feelings, our relationships, or a thousand other things. But if your identity rests on anything other than Christ, you're building on sand.

Finally, we need to tear down our illusion of independence. Success in the spiritual life comes only through dependence on God and the power of His Holy Spirit.

Recognizing What's Essential
Jehoshaphat understood that the most important thing he could do for his kingdom was teach God's Word. He sent officials, Levites, and priests throughout Judah with "the book of the law of the Lord" (2 Chronicles 17:9).

Notice that he didn't just rely on the professionals. He mobilized everyone who could teach—trained clergy and laypeople alike. The implication is clear: none of us are exempt from teaching God's Word. We may not all teach from a pulpit, but we all teach somewhere—most importantly in our homes.

When we honestly engage with Scripture, three things happen: we're convicted of our sin, we recognize our need for a Savior, and we receive direction for how to live. God's Word is food for the soul, and we desperately need to feast on it regularly.

Experiencing God's Blessing
When Jehoshaphat walked in this right pride—exalting God above all—he experienced remarkable blessings. God's presence was with him. God's protection surrounded him so completely that enemy nations were filled with such dread they wouldn't even attack. And God's provision flowed to him, even from his enemies.

This doesn't mean that honoring God guarantees a life free from trouble. But it does mean that God promises to be present, to protect, and to provide for those whose hearts are lifted high in devotion to Him.

One Thing to Build, One Thing to Tear Down
As you reflect on all of this, let me leave you with one question—actually, two questions that form one challenge:

What is the one thing you need to build up in your life right now?

What is the one thing you need to tear down?

Maybe you need to build up the discipline of daily Scripture reading. Maybe you need to tear down the hours spent on entertainment that leaves you spiritually empty. Perhaps you need to build up authentic Christian community. Perhaps you need to tear down the pride that keeps you from asking for help.

Whatever it is, the call is the same: take action. A heart lifted high in devotion to the Lord will never be brought low. That's the kind of pride worth having—the kind that honors God, builds His kingdom, and experiences His blessing.

That's the pride that's right.

In Christ's strength,

Pastor Kirk Flaa