Scripture Reading: Proverbs 16:16-20
Dangers of Pride
Intro.
1. Jesus was the most humble man who ever lived, Phil. 2:5-8.
2. Christians must be humble in heart and life, Matt. 18:1-4.
3. The danger of pride is its self-deceiving nature:
a. When we consider our sins, who says, "My problem is pride"? ("I'm so proud to be so humble"!)
b. Pride is worldly, putting trust in self and the flesh, 1 Jno. 2:16.
4. Pride: "the character of one who, with a swollen estimate of his own powers or merits, looks down on others and even treats them with insolence (rude, disrespectful, jrp) and contempt" (Thayer).
a. Vainglory: “an insolent and empty assurance, which trusts in its own power and resources and shamefully despises and violates divine laws and human rights…an impious and empty presumption which trusts in the stability of earthy things” (OBG Lexicon)
b. An exaggerated regard for self – when one thinks too highly of himself/herself (Rom. 12:3).
I. PRIDE IS DEFILING, Mk. 7:22.
A. Pride is the Way of the World, 1 Jno. 2:15-16.
1. Pride offers a form of godliness for the world to see, but pride denies the power of godliness due to its self-centered world view! 2 Tim. 3:1-5
2. Pride is driven by lust for attention and acclaim, yet forfeits them all for a fraudulent and faithless view of self and the world.
B. Pride Develops in a Heart that has Turned to Evil, Mk. 7:21.
1. Grows in an evil heart of unbelief, cf. Heb. 3:12.
2. When the heart is given over to sin, pride grows up as a defensive barrier from the rebukes and pleadings of truth to repent!
3. It corrupts the entire person, Mk. 7:23.
C. Pride Produces:
1. Strife and shame, Prov. 13:10; 11:2.
2. Rude and cruel speech, Prov. 14:3.
3. Greedy spirit, Prov. 28:25 (instead of reliance on God).
II. PRIDE IS DECEPTIVE, Gal. 6:3.
A. Pride is Haughty in its View and Treatment of Others, Prov. 6:17.
1. It uses a false standard to judge self and others, Prov. 30:11-13.
2. Condescending, arrogant treatment of others (words/deeds) is absolutely a part of pride, cf. Rom. 1:30; 12:16 (conceit).
3. Pride not only lifts us up above man, but ultimately above God - the definitive insult against God, Job 38:1-4; 42:1-6.
B. Pride Deceives Us by Leading us to Trust in Personal Knowledge Instead of Loving God and being Known by God, 1 Cor. 8:1-3.
1. When we view any subject in terms of "us" and what we "know" instead of "God" and His will for us, we are being prideful.
2. Puffed up in treatment of others, cf. Prov. 21:24 ("Scoffer").
-Acts in "proud wrath" (KJV) - Violent anger toward others.
III. PRIDE IS DESTRUCTIVE, Prov. 16:18; 18:12.
A. Pride Destroys a Proper View of Self, Jer. 10:23.
1. Pride convinces us we are (always) right, Prov. 16:20.
2. In fact, pride takes us downward, Prov. 29:23.
B. Pride Destroys a Proper View of Others, cf. Lk. 18:9, 11, 14.
1. As pride overestimates its own value it devalues others, which in turn is played out in our treatment of others, cf. Matt. 7:12.
2. Pride does not (cannot) serve others! Matt. 20:28; Phil. 2:5-8
C. Pride Destroys Respect for Christ and His Word, 1 Tim. 6:3-5.
1. But it is God (His word) who is always right, Psa. 19:9.
2. Pride disregards truth and accepts the lies that generate self- importance, 1 Tim. 6:3 (proud: "superior, lifted up", lifted up with haughtiness).
Conclusion
1. The proud trust the imaginations (dispositions) of their hearts, but God scatters them (lays waste), Lk. 1:51 (Prov. 15:25).
2. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble, 1 Pet. 5:5-7 (Jas. 4:6).
a. Pride refuses to submit to men and God where humble submissiveness is required and beneficial, 1 Pet. 5:5.
b. Only by humbling ourselves to God will He lift us up, 1 Pet. 5:6 (Lk. 18:14).
c. Even refusing to cast our care (anxiety) on the Lord is evidence of pride in our hearts! 1 Pet. 5:7
3. You will obtain grace from God when you humble yourself to Him and obey His gospel of salvation. Isa. 57:15