Pride and Humility at War

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.

The Author

J. Lanier Burns (ThM and ThD, Dallas Theological Seminary; PhD, University of Texas, Dallas) is senior research professor of theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. Since 1973, he has served as the president of the Asian Christian Academy in Bangalore, India.