Pride is a subtle, insidious force that can creep into our hearts and wreak havoc on our lives. Pride is dangerous.
God's Stance Against Pride
Proverbs 16:5 NIV The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
This shows God's utter disdain for pride. Why? Because pride is the root of all sin. It's the ultimate act of self-exaltation, it is a declaration that "I'm God, and I don't need God"
Just look at Satan's fall.
Isaiah 14:12-14 NIV [12] How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! [13] You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. [14] I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
Luke 10:18 NIV He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
This desire to elevate oneself above God is the essence of pride, and it leads to destruction.
Proverbs 16:18 NIV] Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
The Trap of Success
We often see pride creeping in when people experience success. God grants gifts of encouragement, teaching, or leadership, and those who benefit look to these individuals as examples. But when those individuals begin to believe the hype, when they think they are the source of their success, pride takes root.
Success is a test, a proving ground before God entrusts us with greater responsibility. Here’ the story of someone that failed this test.
Daniel 4:28-33 NIV [28] All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. [29] Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, [30] he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” [31] Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. [32] You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” [33] Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
Nebuchadnezzar's pride led to his humiliation.
Humility is the Path to Grace
In the battle between pride and humility, humility always wins.
James 4:4-7 NIV [4] You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. [5] Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? [6] But he gives us more grace.
Pride leads to conflict with God, while humility opens the door to His grace.
Submitting to God means humbling ourselves, acknowledging our dependence on Him. When we do this, He lifts us up.
Luke 18:9-14 NIV [9] To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: [10] “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ [13] “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ [14] “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
When we are humble, God hears our prayers and revives us.
Psalms 10:17-18 NIV [17] You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, [18] defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.
Let's choose humility, and acknowledge God's sovereignty and allow Him to work in our lives.
God's Stance Against Pride
Proverbs 16:5 NIV The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
This shows God's utter disdain for pride. Why? Because pride is the root of all sin. It's the ultimate act of self-exaltation, it is a declaration that "I'm God, and I don't need God"
Just look at Satan's fall.
Isaiah 14:12-14 NIV [12] How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! [13] You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. [14] I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
Luke 10:18 NIV He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
This desire to elevate oneself above God is the essence of pride, and it leads to destruction.
Proverbs 16:18 NIV] Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
The Trap of Success
We often see pride creeping in when people experience success. God grants gifts of encouragement, teaching, or leadership, and those who benefit look to these individuals as examples. But when those individuals begin to believe the hype, when they think they are the source of their success, pride takes root.
Success is a test, a proving ground before God entrusts us with greater responsibility. Here’ the story of someone that failed this test.
Daniel 4:28-33 NIV [28] All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. [29] Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, [30] he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” [31] Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. [32] You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” [33] Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
Nebuchadnezzar's pride led to his humiliation.
Humility is the Path to Grace
In the battle between pride and humility, humility always wins.
James 4:4-7 NIV [4] You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. [5] Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? [6] But he gives us more grace.
Pride leads to conflict with God, while humility opens the door to His grace.
Submitting to God means humbling ourselves, acknowledging our dependence on Him. When we do this, He lifts us up.
Luke 18:9-14 NIV [9] To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: [10] “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ [13] “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ [14] “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
When we are humble, God hears our prayers and revives us.
Psalms 10:17-18 NIV [17] You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, [18] defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.
Let's choose humility, and acknowledge God's sovereignty and allow Him to work in our lives.
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