The definition of gloating varies depending on the context. In a broad sense, gloating is taking pride in one’s achievements and trying to take glory away from God. However, it also refers to the sin of arrogance, which is a form of pride and leads to repeating the same sin. The term itself also reflects the fact that a person can take delight in a sin, even when it is against God.
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It is arrogance
Children can be overindulged and develop arrogance in various ways. For example, if your child is especially good at a particular subject, you may overindulge them. You might be in awe of your child’s talents, and this will lead you to promote the cuteness of your child’s achievements. Overindulgence of this kind can become arrogant in grade school. Talk to your child’s teachers about preventing arrogance.
If you are experiencing gloating, you are likely to feel more proud, triumphant, or emboldened than you actually should be. Rather than schadenfreude, gloating is an arrogant response to a positive event. In contrast, schadenfreude is a reaction to something bad that happened to you. Therefore, you should consider the source of your pride and take action to prevent such behavior in the future.
It is committing a sin with delight
To gloat is to commit a sin with delight. We naturally enjoy pleasure, and our natures make us want to indulge in it. The Greek word chairo means to “take delight in something”. It can also mean to be absorbed in another person’s actions. Virgil argues that love is natural, but reason can check its power. The Inferno teaches us that God takes no pleasure in sin, but delights in our own actions.
