Text: Prov 16:18
By: Sunny Ogumor
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Pride: feeling of superiority: a haughty attitude shown by people who believe, often unjustifiably, that they are better than others.
Consequence: something that follows as a result (of pride).
In this sermon we are going to look at pride from the biblical point of view. Many passages in the scriptures talked about pride as a negative virtue. As Christians the purpose of our gathering here is to serve God, to do the things that pleases God, to learn how to worship God effectively in our day-to-day activities. As we gather here to learn the way of God, anything that will not please God should not be in our agenda for life, among such thing is “Pride”.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
The saying “Pride goes before a fall” is coming from this verse in the bible. Meaning that “People who are overconfident or too arrogant are likely to fail”.
Pride is a sin and God hates it. It makes someone close his ears to what God wants. The, Bible condemns proud men and women in the strongest terms (Pr 16:5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.). This is because human pride directly undermines everything God created us to be.
Pride causes seclusion:
Pride will prevent you from mixing with those you considered to be your social inferiors. Wealth not controlled makes you segregate, position in authority can intoxicate. When a man concentrates in these things instead of God it is pride.
Why should a man boast? when pride sets in, boasting will surface. When we need to thank God and promote His image for achievement, the proud man boasts about himself. This was the mind set when they started to construct the tower of Babel to make name for themselves and God brought them down by confusing their language. (Ge 11:4)
When you fail to humbly thank God for His good gifts we proudly refuse to respond to His kindness and instead try to take for ourselves the credit for what He has done in us and through us (Isaiah 10:12-15 So the king of Assyria was proud of his achievements and was punished. The Assyrian boasts of what great things he has done to other nations, by his own policy and power. He knows not that it is God who makes him what he is, and puts the power in his hand. Because he conquered Samaria, he thinks Jerusalem would fall. it is foolish for Christians to emulate this kind of people.
False comfort
Proud people have no interest in listening seriously to God and obeying what He commands them because they have put their confidence in themselves. Go today next time if I have chance, I will invite you. Rather than seeking God or even thinking about him proud, people act as though they themselves are comfortable with their status. Their thoughts tend toward there is no God. Ez 28:2
Pride deceives
Pride deceives us and corrupts our wisdom; it makes us think that at some level one cannot sin. God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble 1Pt 5:5. Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older.
Self-enslavement
When we turn away from God seeking freedom to live life our own way, we are quickly enslaved to false gods and to our own stubborn desires this happened to the people of Israel as seen in (Jeremiah 13:9-10) and the results are catastrophic. The people of Israel had been to God as a girdle. He wants them to stick to him by the law he gave them, the prophets he sent among them, and the favors he showed them. They instead by their idolatries and sins buried themselves with foreigners, mingled among the nations, and were so corrupted that they were good for nothing. If we are proud of learning, power, and outward privileges, divination, speaking in tongs etc. It is only God that can save us. God want us to worship him, but if we proudly turn away from Him, we have insulted Him and invite His punishment for our faithlessness and disloyalty.
Prov 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Many proverbs warn that the sin of pride is a dangerous offense. To fear the Lord is to hate evil, pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. The fear of the Lord does not mean to feel threatened or there is terror. It means “good relationship with God” based on reverence and respect for him and his commands. It means a righteous living.
Pride as seen in most passages of the bible refers to an arrogant attitude that manifests itself as, been independence from God (acting without regard to God existence) which defeats the message of humility. Such arrogance is hazardous to our well-being and success in life because it keeps us from fearing the Lord. Christian should note that Humility is the fear of the LORD, its wages are riches and honor and life (Proverbs 22:4).
The Proud Leader
Pride could be tempting for leaders and Peter gave an advice, 1 Pt 5:3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. Here Peter did not command, but gave advice and encouragement. He did not claim power to rule over but to be an example.
The proud person pursues his or her own way, but the humble one obeys God’s Word. Taking delight in the Lord and humbly following His commands makes us strong in the Lord so that we will not slip or stagger. “The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him” (Ps 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Humility and fear of the Lord lead us securely on God’s path, where our feet will not stumble, and we will not fall.
The sins of Pride.
Now judge for yourself what the Pharisee said in Lk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. Lu 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. Yes-This man have done well, you sitting down there have also done well, we standing here have also done well, is it by our power, no, it is by the grace of God that you have contributed to the progress of the congregation so far, don’t take pride but thank God for your contribution so far and make progress.
The danger of pride is that most people are not aware of their pridefulness. God told the Edomites “The pride of your heart has deceived you, because you live in the clefts of the rocks and make your homes in the high place and say to yourself who can bring me down to the ground. And God said to them if you like soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, I will bring you down” Obd 1:3-4,18.
Are you pompous? Are you arrogant? Are you haughty, do you discriminate, do you promote egoism? Do you have a proud look Prov 6:17, These are the symptoms of pride.
Conclusion:
Know assuredly that God hate pride.
Pr 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
Several reasons to uphold brotherly love are mentioned in the scriptures so let brotherly love continue. If you expect or experience the benefit of God’s compassions, be compassionate one to another. It is the joy of church leaders to see people like-minded. Christ came to humble us, therefore let not the spirit of pride be in us. Be ready to make favorable allowances for others who are not in your class.
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