1. What does
God think about pride?
A. He hates
it:
*Pro.6:16,17*These...doth
the Lord hate: a proud look
*Pro.16:5*Every
one that is proud...is an abomination to Lord
B. We should
hate it too:
*Pro.8:13*The
fear of the Lord is to hate...pride & arrogancy
C. Pride is a
sin, not a virtue:
*Pro.21:4a*An
high look, & a proud heart...is sin
*Hab.2:4*Behold,
his soul which is lifted up is not upright
*1Jn.2:16*Pride...is
not of the Father, but is of the world
2. Why is it
wrong for us to be proud?
A. Because only
the Lord is great; we are not:
*Psa.66:5-7*Come
& see the works of God...He ruleth...let not the rebellious exalt
themselves
*Psa.97:9*Thou,
Lord, art high... exalted far above all
*Ezk.28:2*Thine
heart is lifted up...yet thou art a man, & not God, though thou set thine
heart as...God
*Phi.2:9,10*God
hath highly exalted Him (Jesus), & given Him a name above every
name...every knee should bow
*(See also Psa.21:13 ;
57:5,11 ; 108:5 ; Isa.2:11,17 .)
B. God
alone should get the glory:
*Acts 12:20-23*Angel...smote
him, because he gave not God the glory
*1Cor.10:31*Whatsoever
ye do, do all to the glory of God
*(See also Jer.9:23,24 ;
1Cor.1:28,29 .)
C. Pride makes
us ignore & forget God:
*Deut.8:14*(When)
thine heart be lifted up...thou forget the Lord
*Psa.10:4*The
wicked, through...pride...will not seek after God
*Hos.13:6b*Heart
was exalted; therefore have they forgotten Me
D. God will
distance Himself from & resist the proud:
*Psa.138:6*The
proud He (the Lord) knoweth afar off
*Jam.4:6*God
resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto humble
E. Pride makes
us rebel against the Word:
*Neh.9:16,17,29*They
dealt proudly...& hearkened not to Thy (Word)
F. It gives us
an exaggerated sense of greatness:
*Oba.3*The
pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, that saith, Who shall bring me down?
*Rom.12:3*(Thinking)
of himself more highly than he ought to
*Gal.6:3*If a
man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself
G. It creates
self-exaltation & a desire to be honoured:
*Pro.25:27*For
men to search their own glory is not glory
*Mat.23:5-7*(Proud
Pharisees) love...greetings (in public), & to be called of men, (Master,
Master)
*Mk.12:38,39*Scribes...love...chief
seats...& uppermost rooms
*Jude 16*Their
mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration
H. When we seek
to please men, we often displease the Lord:
*1Sam.15:30*I
have sinned: [but] honour me...before the [people]
*Jn.5:44*Ye...receive
honour one of another, & seek not the honour that cometh from God only
*Jn.12:43*They
loved praise of men more than the praise of God
*Gal.1:10*If I
pleased men...not be the servant of Christ
I. Pride makes
us think we are "wise":
*Pro.3:7*Be not
wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord
*1Cor.3:18*Let
no man deceive himself. If any...seemeth wise
*1Cor.8:2*If
any think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know
J. Pride gives
us a "know-it-all" attitude:
*Psa.131:1*[The
haughty exercise themselves in great matters, in things too high for them]
*Pro.26:12*Seest
thou a man "wise" in his own conceit? There is more hope of a
fool than of him
*(See also 1Tim.1:7 )
K. Pride causes
arguments:
*Pro.13:10*Only
by pride cometh contention
*Pro.28:25*He
that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife
*(See also Pro.14:3 ;
21:24 .)
L. Pride
corrupts us:
*Mk.7:22,23*Pride...(comes)
from within, & defiles the man
M. Pride will
bring about our downfall:
*Pro.11:2a*When
pride cometh, then cometh shame
*Pro.16:18*Pride
goeth before destruction, & an haughty spirit before a fall
*Pro.18:12a*Before
destruction the heart of man is haughty
*Pro.29:23a*A
man's pride shall bring him low
*Ezk.28:12-17*[The
fall of Satan happened because he exalted himself in pride] (See also Isa.14:12-15 )
*Dan.5:18,20,
21*God gave Nebuchadnezzar...majesty...& honour: But when his heart was
lifted up...he was deposed
*1Cor.10:12*Him
that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall
3. Some causes
of pride:
A. Beauty:
*Ezk.28:17*Thine
heart is lifted up because of thy beauty
B. Material
abundance:
*Deut.8:12-14,
17*Lest when thou...art full...& all that thou hast is multiplied; then
thine heart be lifted up
*Ezk.28:5*Thine
heart is lifted up because of thy riches
*Hos.13:6*They
were filled, & their heart was exalted
C. Being overly
secure:
*Psa.73:5,6a*They
are not in trouble as other men...therefore pride compasseth them about as a
chain
D. Being overly
affected by exaltation:
*2Chr.26:15,16*He
was marvellously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart
was lifted up
*Dan.11:11,12*[Victory
over enemies causes heart to be lifted up]
*1Tim.3:6*Not a
novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall
E. Carnal
mindedness (intellectual pride):
*Gen.2:16-17
;[Eve, desiring to be wise, disobeyed God & ate of the fruit of the tree of
the knowledge of good & evil]
3:16
*1Tim.6:3,4*If
any man teach otherwise (than sound doctrine)...he is proud, knowing nothing
*(See also Jer.9:23,24a ; Rom.8:6,7 ;
Jam.3:14-16 .)
4. Warnings
against pride:
A. We should
avoid proud boasting:
*1Sam.2:3a*Talk
no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth
*Pro.27:2*Let
another man praise thee, & not thine own mouth
*2Cor.10:18*Not
he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth
B. We shouldn't
exalt ourselves:
*Pro.25:6,7*Put
not forth thyself in the presence of the king, & stand not in the place of
great men
*Lk.14:10*When
thou art bidden...sit down in the lowest room
C. If we're
proud, we're in a dangerous position:
*Psa.18:27*Thou
(God) wilt bring down high looks
*Pro.15:25a*The
Lord will destroy the house of the proud
*Eccl.7:16*Be
not righteous over much (overly righteous)...why shouldst thou destroy thyself?
*Jer.48:25,26,
29*[Exceeding proud, lofty, arrogant, haughty Moabites magnified selves against
the Lord & were cut off]
5.
Self-righteousness: Why is it wrong to think that we--in ourselves--are good
& righteous?
A. Because we
are not:
*Job 15:14*What
is man, that he should be clean?...righteous?
*Job 15:15,16*The
heavens are not clean in His sight. How much more abominable & filthy is
man
*Psa.130:3*If
Thou shouldest mark iniquities, who shall stand?
*Pro.20:9*Who
can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure?
*Eccl.7:20*There
is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good & sinneth not
*Isa.64:6a*We
are all as an unclean thing, & all our righteousnesses are as filthy
rags
*Rom.3:10,23*There
is none righteous, no, not one...all have sinned
*Rom.7:18a*In
me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing
B. Only God
is good:
*Mat.19:17a*There
is none good but one, that is, God
*Job 9:2b*But
how should man be just with God?
*Psa.71:16b*I
will make mention of Thy righteousness, Thine only
C. Doing so
causes us to be lifted up in pride:
*Pro.30:12,13*(They)
are pure in their own eyes...O how lofty are their eyes! And their
eyelids are lifted up
*Lk.18:11*God,
I thank Thee, that I am not as other men...unjust
D. It separates
us from God:
*Rom.10:3*They...going
about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted unto the
righteousness of God
*Job 13:16b*An
hypocrite shall not come before Him
E. It makes us
unable to see our sins:
*Job 32:1*Job...was
righteous in his own eyes (See also
Pro.16:2 ; 21:2 .)
*Pro.30:12*A
generation that are pure in their own eyes, & yet is not washed from their
filthiness
*Lk.6:41,42*Why
perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
*Jn.9:41*Ye
say, "We see"; therefore your sin remaineth
F. True
righteousness means trusting God:
*Gal.3:6*Abraham
believed God, it was accounted righteous ness
*Phi.3:9*Not
having mine own righteousness...but...of God
*Tit.3:5*Not by
works of righteousness which we have done, but according to (because of) His
mercy He saved us
6.
Self-righteousness: Why is it wrong to think we--in ourselves--are better
than others?
A. Because
we're not:
*Jn.8:7*He that
is without sin...let him first cast a stone
*Rom.3:23*All
have sinned, & come short of the glory of God
B. We shouldn't
think we are better than others:
*Rom.14:2,3*Let
not him that eateth despise him that eateth not
*1Cor.13:4*Charity
(love) vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up
*Phi.2:3b*[Not]
vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves
C. A proud
attitude displeases & angers God:
*Isa.65:5*(They)
say, "I am holier than thou." These are a smoke in My (God's) nose
*Lk.16:15*Ye
are they which justify yourselves...but...that which is highly esteemed among
men is abomination (to) God
D. It makes us
despise & be unmerciful to others:
*Mat.23:29*Ye
have omitted the weightier matters...mercy
*Lk.18:9*(They)
trusted in themselves that they were righteous, & despised others
*Lk.18:11*God,
I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are... unjust...or even as this
publican (tax collector)
*(See also Mat.9:13 )
E. We only are
what we are by God's grace:
*1Cor.4:7*Who
maketh thee to differ from another? & what hast thou that thou didst not
receive?
*1Cor.15:10*By
the grace of God I am what I am
*2Cor.3:5*Not
that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves
7. The humbling
of the proud:
A. God
can--& does--humble the proud:
*Dan.4:37b*Those
that walk in pride He is able to abase
*Gen.11:1-8*[Men
were building the tower of Babel in pride, so God confused & scattered
them]
*1Sam.13:8-14*[Saul
presumed to offer the sacrifice without waiting for Samuel, & lost the
kingdom as a result]
*2Chr.32:24,25*Heart
was lifted up: therefore...wrath (was) upon him
*Job 33:15-17*[God
works on our hearts at night to remove pride]
*Psa.101:5b*Him
that hath an high look & a proud heart will not I suffer (allow to
continue)
*Isa.2:11*The
lofty looks of man shall be humbled, & the haughtiness of men shall
be bowed down
*Isa.2:12*Every
one that is proud & lofty...shall be brought low
*Isa.13:11b*I
will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease
*Dan.4:30-35*[King
Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up in pride, was deposed by God, abased as a beast,
& learned humility]
*Dan.5:20,21*When
his...mind (was) hardened in pride...was deposed
*2Cor.12:7*Lest
I (Paul) should be exalted above measure...there was given to me a thorn in the
flesh
*(See also Jer.50:31,32 ; Oba.4 .)
B. It is a law
of God: If we're proud, we will be humbled:
*Mat.23:12a*Whosoever
shall exalt himself shall be abased
*Lk.14:11a*Whosoever
exalteth himself shall be abased
*Lk.18:14b*Every
one that exalteth himself shall be abased
C. Being
humbled teaches us that God is in charge:
*Job 42:1-6*[After
being humbled, Job said:] I know that Thou canst do every thing...I...repent
*Dan.4:32-35*Eat
grass...until thou know that the most High ruleth
8. Why we
should want to be humble:
A. Because God
loves & delights in the humble:
*Psa.51:17*The
sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken & a contrite heart, O God,
Thou wilt not despise
*Psa.138:6a*The
Lord be high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly
*1Pet.3:4*A
meek & quiet spirit...is in the sight of God of great price
*1Pet.5:5b*God...giveth
grace to the humble
B. He is close
to the humble:
*Psa.34:18a*The
Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart
*Isa.57:15a*The
high & lofty One that inhabiteth eternity (dwells) with him that is of a
contrite & humble spirit
C. He requires
us to be humble:
*Mic.6:8*What
doth the Lord require...walk humbly with thy God
*Col.3:12*Put
on, as the elect of God...humbleness of mind
D. Humility
brings honour & blessing:
*Pro.22:4*By
humility...are riches, & honour, & life
*Pro.29:23b*Honour
shall uphold the humble in spirit
E. If we are
humble, God will exalt us:
*Mat.23:12b*He
that shall humble himself shall be exalted
*Lk.1:52*He put
down the mighty...& exalted them of low degree
F. God helps
the humble:
*Psa.9:12*He
forgetteth not the cry of the humble
*Psa.25:9*The
meek will He guide...& meek will He teach His way
*Psa.34:18*The
Lord...saveth such as be of a contrite spirit
*Psa.147:6*The
Lord lifteth up the meek: He casteth wicked down
*Isa.57:15b*(I)
revive spirit of the humble, & heart of contrite ones
*Lk.1:48a*He
hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden
*1Pet.5:5b*God
resisteth the proud, & giveth grace to the humble
G. Humility can
spare us from trouble:
*1Ki.21:17,25-29*[Wicked
king Ahab humbled himself before God, so God didn't bring judgment during his
lifetime]
*2Chr.32:26*Hezekiah
humbled himself for the pride of his heart...so that the wrath of the Lord came
not
H. God gives
the humble true wisdom:
*Pro.11:2*[Pride
causes shame] but with the lowly is wisdom
*1Cor.3:18*Let
him become a fool, that he may be wise
*(See also Lk.10:21 )
I. Humility is
true greatness in God's eyes:
*Eccl.7:8b*The
patient in spirit is better than proud in spirit
*Mat.18:4*Whosoever
shall humble himself is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
*Mat.19:30b*The
last shall be first
*Mk.10:43*Whosoever
will be great...shall be your minister
*Lk.22:26*He
that is greatest...let him be as the younger
J. God uses
& exalts the humble:
*1Sam.15:17*When
thou wast little in thine own sight...the Lord anointed thee king over Israel
*Pro.15:33b*Before
honour is humility
*Jam.4:10*Humble
yourselves...& He shall lift you up
*1Pet.5:6*Humble
yourselves... that He may exalt you in due time
K. Other
blessings upon the meek:
*Psa.37:11*The
meek shall inherit the earth; & shall delight
*Psa.149:4*The
Lord...will beautify the meek with salvation
*Mat.5:5*Blessed
are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth
9. Keeping a
humble attitude:
A. Remind
yourself that anything good is only Jesus, not you:
*Gen.41:15,16*Joseph
answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an
answer
*Dan.2:26-30a*God...revealeth
secrets. But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I
have
*1Cor.4:7*What
hast thou that thou didst not receive [from God]? Why dost thou glory?
*1Cor.15:9,10*I
am not meet (worthy) to be called an apostle...but by the grace of God
I am what I am
*2Cor.10:17*He
that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord (See also Jer.9:23,24 )
*Gal.6:14*God
forbid I should glory, save in the cross of Jesus
*(See also Rom.2:11 ;
Gal.6:3 .)
B. Read &
obey the Word:
*Deut.17:19,20*[Read
& obey the Word] that heart be not lifted up
C.
Realistically admit your limitations:
*Rom.12:3*(Don't)
think of (yourself) more highly than (you) ought to think; but think soberly
*Rom.12:16b*Be
not wise in your own conceits
10. Humility
with one another:
A. Follow
Jesus' example of humility:
*Mat.21:5*Thy
King (Jesus) cometh unto thee, meek...upon an ass
*Jn.13:5,12-15*He
began to wash the disciples' feet, & wipe them...I have given you an
example, that ye should do as I
*Lk.22:27*He
that sitteth at meat (is greater)...but I am among you as he that serveth
*Phi.2:5-8*Let
this mind be in you...Jesus made Himself of no reputation...(became) a
servant...humbled Himself
B. Other
examples of true humility:
*1Sam.25:40, 41*[Abigail,
when asked to marry David, said:] Let (me) be a servant to wash the feet of
(his) servants
*Mk.7:25-30*[Syrophoenician
woman said:] Yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs
*Lk.7:2-7*[Pharisees
said] he was worthy for whom He should do this. The centurion (said), I am not
worthy
*Jn.1:27*(Jesus),
Whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose
C. Submit
humbly to one another:
*Lk.22:25,26*Kings...exercise
lordship. But ye shall not be so. He that is greatest...let him be as the
younger
*Eph.5:21*Submitting
yourselves one to another in fear of God
*1Pet.5:5*All
of you be subject one to another, & be clothed with humility: for God
resisteth the proud
D. Love &
honour others:
*Rom.12:10*With
brotherly love; in honour preferring one another
*Rom.12:16*Mind
not high things, condescend to men of low estate Phi.2:3a Let nothing be done
through strife or vainglory
E. Be humble
when pointing out other's errors:
*Lk.6:42b*Cast
out first the beam out of thine own eye
*Gal.6:1*Restore
such an one in the spirit of meekness
*2Tim.2:25*In
meekness instructing those that oppose themselves
11. The
solution:
A. Confess your
faults & inabilities & humble yourself before God:
*Jam.4:10a*Humble
yourselves in the sight of the Lord
*1Pet.5:6a*Humble
yourselves...under the mighty hand of God
B. Ask others
to pray for you to overcome pride:
*Jam.5:16*Confess
your faults one to another, & pray one for another
*Mat.18:19,20*If
two of you shall agree [in prayer] it shall be done
C. Examples of
humbling oneself before the Lord:
*2Sam.24:2-4,
8-10*[In pride, David took a census of his kingdom to see how great he was,
then repented & sought mercy]
*Job 40:1-5
; 42:1-6*[Self-righteous Job--see 32:1 ;
35:2 --humbled himself, confessed he was vile & repented]
*Psa.51:1-4*I
acknowledge my...sin...that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest
*Dan.4:33-35,37*[King
Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself & confessed that only God was great]
*(See also 1Sam.9:21
about Saul; 2Sam.7:18 about David;
1Ki.3:7 about Solomon; Mat.3:14
about John the Baptist.)
Special
passages:
*1Ki.12:1-16*[Rehoboam
"answered the people roughly"]
*2Chr.26:14-23*[King
Uzziah, "lifted up", presumed to offer incense]
*Dan.4:all*[Nebuchadnezzar's
pride, humiliation & restoration]
*Lk.18:9-14*[The
parable of the proud Pharisee & humble sinner]
Copyright (c) 1997 by The Family
