Pride is at the root of almost every conflict in human history. Consider one of Aesop’s fables:
Two roosters fought for supremacy in the farmyard. Finally, one was vanquished and he went and hid himself in the corner of the hen-house. The victor flew up to the corner of the barn and began to declare his victory.
“I’ve won! I’ve won!” He cried.
An eagle saw his chance, swooped down and caught that rooster in his claws and carried him off. And the rooster that had been defeated found himself to be the unchallenged master of the farmyard.
Pride, I believe, is the single greatest motivator in Putin’s war in Ukraine. He has everything a man could possibly want: a massive estate spanning 190,000 square feet, an estimated wealth of 200 billion (which he has amassed on an annual salary of $140,000 per year), yet none of this has been enough to satisfy him. Most people believe that he invaded Ukraine, in order to leave a legacy for himself. A former KGB agent, He seems to want to be remembered as the president who reestablished the Soviet Union. Putin’s pride is invested in the war, and he won’t stop until he has what he wants. No matter what the damage to his own failing health, or the fragile economy of his own country.
Since February, the war has not gone like he had planned. Ukrainians have nobly defended their land, and have expelled Russian forces from many locations. For the last month and a half, the border of Russian controlled territory has not advanced. and now because of pride, he can’t accept defeat, and he will become a victim of a cruel irony. Inevitably, Russia will be forced to withdraw without significant victory. His own people will wonder why they have lost their sons and economy for this war, and their memory of him will be one of regret and shame. The insatiable pride that has driven him to leave a legacy will keep him from achieving the very thing he set out to satisfy.
Pride is an emotion that can have good applications and bad. God made us to be proud creatures, didn’t He? We can be proud of our accomplishments or those of our children’s or students. When our motives are noble, then pride is a good thing. But pride turns sour when it is self-centered rather than in God-centered. When you focus on yourself, pride will destroy you.
One day, an older gentleman came to our bible studies at the church in Ukraine. He told us he had a brain injury that caused vertigo and asked us if we could help him. He came faithfully to services and became a Christian. Andrew bought groceries for him for two years. We truly felt sorry for him and wanted to help.
One day he came and told us his sister had kicked him out of the apartment she owned, where he was staying. Andrew did some investigation and found out he had some baggage that he had kept from us. We found out he was quite the con man. She had allowed him to stay in the apartment, even though he owed her a large sum of money, but had never attempted to pay back. He received a pension and had the ability to at least make a gesture, since he had no living expenses. Finally, his sister got tired of it and kicked him out.
When we talked with her, she told us that because of his past conflicts, he had never even gone to see the grave of his deceased parents. He buried his bitterness and grief inside and would not seek closure, which drove a rift between him and his sister. We told him that we would continue to help in some way, but he had to show some remorse, which would begin with going to his parents grave. His pride would not allow him, even if we went with him to support him.
Of course, we were forced to terminate the assistance, and so he was turned out on the streets. I remember seeing him several times around town, I could tell he had weathered the winter outside. He later contracted tuberculosis, and we only saw him once more after that.
Most importantly, his pride kept him from spiritual healing. The longer he held on to his pride, the higher he built the wall that kept him from peace, and instead of meeting his bitterness and grief and dealing with it, he just built the wall higher, until pride was all he had left.
A proud look, A lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:17-19
I can’t think of a sin that is possible to commit that isn’t connected to something in this list. I believe Solomon lists these seven because they devastate the individual who practices them. Pride is the first one mentioned and I believe that is not a coincidence.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift you up. – James 4:10