Contentious Pride Prov. 13:10 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

Contention often comes when one of two parties is insufficiently advised due to pride.  If there is someone with whom you have an ongoing contention then pride is likely involved.  There are some elements to contentious pride that will help you to understand why the contention exists. Understanding and recognizing these elements of pride will help you in resolving the contention in a relationship.

Seven elements of pride that cause contention:

Big Headedness – This refers to the know-it-all who thinks he already knows enough about a situation without having to listen to your pea-brain contributions.

Close-mindedness – This type of person doesn’t necessarily think he knows it all, but rather is simply not interested in another person’s perspective because he has already become comfortable in the one he holds. No matter what evidence you present or how much you reason with him he will close his mind to your ideas and viewpoint and shut you out.

Confusion – If the person you are dealing with does not understand what you are trying to communicate to him then he may become confused. This will result in a misunderstanding of what was communicated. Then when he reacts to what he thought you said, which is quite different from what you actually intended, contention arises.

Self-Righteousness – This type of person is convinced of his own moral superiority.  By comparison you have no righteousness of your own worthy of his consideration.  Therefore, he feels that you need to submit to his opinion and correction.

Unbelief – This type of person suffers from a lack of faith. You can present the evidence, but he is not going to accept it as valid.

Selfishness – This type of person is determined to have things his way regardless of the truth or the consequences of the matter. The only thing of importance to him is what he wants.

Volatility – This type of person is very impatient and will explode immediately if you interrupt his conversation or misunderstand his intentions.

Conclusion: If the contentious pride in your relationship stems from one of these elements, then address it in your friend or in yourself, if you are the culprit.