‘Pride’ Isn’t a Virtue, It’s a Vice

Saturday’s Pride month celebration at the White House, which was billed as the largest ever at the executive mansion, featured a massive rainbow flag, flanked by two American flags, unfurled from the top of the president’s residence.

For Christians, this event presents much to unpack.

It’s likely that many believers have grown accustomed to these types of displays and events. The rainbow flag is seemingly everywhere these days, and certainly this past weekend’s event, while hailed as the biggest gathering, was by no means the first.

The imagery is unsettling. And it should be, because LGBT activists are promoting a belief that attempts to upend God’s design for humanity.

Christian orthodoxy

For 2,000 years, orthodox Christians have believed that homosexual attraction is objectively disordered (though sinful only if acted upon); that marriage, by its very nature, is between one man and one woman; and that there are only two sexes, male and female.

These are beliefs that we cannot abandon, not simply because they are necessary for orthodox Christianity. These truths also present the best way to everyone to live, including those dealing with same-sex attraction and gender confusion.

That’s because all these issues are central to God’s design for human flourishing and a Christian view of sexuality. Though God’s commands are sometimes difficult to obey, they are delivered for our good.

And make no mistake, God’s design for humanity is good. He created human beings in His image, male and female, and designed marriage to be a life-long, committed, monogamous relationship between husband and wife.

Though it may be despised by some moderns, marriage is good. It bestows on the married couple the benefits of sexual fidelity, the creation of children and the sanctification of the wedded. These goods do not just benefit the couple – but society at large. Without children, there is no hope for the future.

The area of sexuality is not a relativized area where individuals can do whatever they want to maximize their own personal pleasure. Rather, human sexuality is designed by God, is an expression of His creative nature and is ordered in a specific way for our good.

Human Sinfulness

We must also recall the universality of human sinfulness. Humanity’s brokenness is real. And that’s not true for only some individuals.

Paul teaches us this in Romans 3:12, “All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (ESV). This is true for gay-identified individuals as well as heterosexual ones.

The Divisiveness of Pride

Additionally, Pride celebrations are incredibly divisive. To unveil a Pride flag on the front of the most recognizable building in the United States, one that is supposed to represent the entire nation, is profoundly disunifying.

Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro tweeted the following regarding the White House’s large rainbow flag:

Not one American soldier fought and bled for this flag. Not one American taxpayer paid taxes to the government of this flag. Not one law has been passed under a government elected under this flag. The ideological coup is complete.

When seeing the Pride flag hanging from the White House, Christians know that the United States is not our true home, nor is it our final destination. Our final home is Heaven, which is ruled by the One who is completely good and just.

 We can expect Pride events to continue throughout the remaining weeks of the month – and each time we see one, or see the flags flying, we might be reminded to pray for those who believe so much that just isn’t true.

Christians would be wise to remember that pride is not a virtue; it’s a vice.

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
    but with the humble is wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2, ESV)

To be a nation of “pride” is not a good thing, but too often, we are.

Focus on the Family exists to help families, and that includes help navigating the issues of homosexuality and transgenderism. Focus offers a free, one-time counseling consultation with a licensed or pastoral counselor. To request a counseling consultation, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) or fill out our Counseling Consultation Request Form.

Related articles and resources:

Counseling Consultation & Referrals

When Children Encounter ‘LGBT Pride’: Resources for Parents

Homosexuality Resources for Parents

Transgender Resources for Parents

Transgender Resources

10 Things Everyone Should Know About a Christian View of Homosexuality

Kirk Cameron Launches Latest Children’s Book: ‘Pride Comes Before the Fall’

There is No Pride in Denying Reality or the Image of God in Humanity

Photo from Twitter.