A Scriptural Consideration

“We ourselves take pride in you among the congregations of God because of your endurance and faith.” — 2 Thessalonians 1:4

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She walked quietly down the Kingdom Hall corridor, her Bible in hand, her thoughts trailing behind her like a ribbon unraveling. It had been a long week. Correction had come—gently given but keenly felt. It had surprised her. After all, hadn’t she tried her best? Wasn’t her reputation solid?

The words replayed in her mind—not harsh, but firm: “We want to help you grow.” That phrase. Over and over again.

Her first instinct had been to resist. To explain. To justify.

But something deeper stirred… not shame, not anger—just a soft ache of realization: Maybe I needed that counsel more than I thought.

And with that, the ribbon of pride began to loosen.

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Pride is a strange thing. It can wear the cloak of strength while secretly hollowing us from within. The Scriptures do not condemn the kind of healthy pride that rejoices in others’ faithfulness or cherishes our background or upbringing. Paul himself expressed a warm, rightful pride in the Thessalonians: “We take pride in you… because of your endurance and faith.” (2 Thess. 1:4)

So what, then, is the danger?

It’s a different kind of pride—a swollen, fragile thing. It doesn’t like correction. It recoils at counsel. It needs to be right. It demands the final word. It compares, competes, and quietly erodes our humility. And Jehovah, the One who searches hearts, sees right through it.

The psalmist’s words ring clear: “Should the righteous one strike me, it would be an act of loyal love; should he reprove me, it would be like oil on my head.” (Psalm 141:5) A humble heart welcomes the tap on the shoulder, the whispered adjustment, the redirecting hand.

But Satan? He feasts on arrogance.

He must have smiled as Nimrod claimed dominance as a mighty hunter before Jehovah. He surely smirked when Pharaoh sneered, “Who is Jehovah, that I should obey him?” And he took great delight in the charm and charisma of Absalom—his heart swollen with ambition, his rebellion disguised as concern. (Genesis 10:8, 9; Exodus 5:2; 2 Samuel 15:4–6)

All fell. Not because they weren’t gifted or strong, but because their pride disconnected them from the Source of life.

And yet… we know this danger too.

It might whisper, “You don’t need help.” It might nudge, “They just don’t understand you.” It might even parade as spiritual confidence—when it’s really fear wearing a mask.

But Jehovah doesn’t despise us when we wrestle with this. He helps us untangle it—gently, persistently—through shepherds, through study, through prayer. And every time we lay down our defenses and say, “Jehovah, teach me,” something miraculous happens:

Pride loses its grip. And love takes its place.

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So if someone takes you aside and offers gentle correction, pause. Listen. Ask yourself: Is this Jehovah reaching for me? Because it very well may be.

If we are ever tempted to resist or recoil, we can remember Paul’s words: “We take pride in you…” Jehovah and his people rejoice not in perfection, but in endurance. In faith. In the courage it takes to be refined.

So go ahead—be proud. Be proud of faith that grows. Of humility that blossoms. Of love that bends and doesn’t break.

Jehovah sees it. He smiles. And he takes pride in you, too.

Source: The Watchtower, May 15, 2015, paragraphs 5 and 6.