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Pride, Its Dangers and Manifestations Introduction: Pride is often spoken of. People talk about taking pride in your work, showing "school pride", pride in your state, etc. Yet the Bible does not tell us to have pride or be prideful. One problem is our definition may not be in harmony with the Bible’s definition. Much like the word baptism to some people is not immersion as used in the Bible. I) Defining Pride A) Modern Usage 1. Oxford American Dictionary –Pride n 1. a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction in one’s own actions or qualities 2. We may speak of it in the sense of showing concern, doing your best or being your best. 3. We may even make fun of our pride a. I am very proud of my humility b. He is so proud, he even struts when he sits c. Weird Al Yankovic, "Then you’re really righteous? Think you’re pure in heart? Well, I know I’m a million times as humble as thou art." –from the song Amish Paradise B) Bible Usage 1. Being puffed up, a braggart, haughty, vainglory, arrogance. a. 1 Timothy 3.6 "lifted up with pride"; conceited (NIV); b. Mark 7.20-23 list pride as one of the inward things that defiles a person c. 1 John 2.16 list the pride of life as one of the things that vanishes away 2. Not one time is the word pride used in a positive way in the Bible! II) Prideful People In the Bible A) Pharaoh "who is the Lord that I should obey His voice" Exodus 5.2 1. See the arrogance and stubbornness of Pharaoh 2. Would not listen or change; caused great grief to his people B) Uzziah "2 Chron. 26 describes the reign of this king 1. He did what was right, sought God, and God caused him to prosper 2. He fought and defeated many of the other nations, built towers, increased in wealth 3. Had a strong army with might men of valor 4. "when he was strong his heart was lifted up" 2 Chron. 26.16 a. He transgressed God’s law and tried to burn incense in the temple b. He was struck with leprosy C) Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 1. Leader of the Babylonian Empire 2. Conquered Assyria, Egypt, Israel and other nations. 3. Was warned of his pride but would not listen, Daniel 4.28ff 4. He was removed from his lofty position until he acknowledged the God of heaven D) King Saul 1. He was chosen by God to be the 1st king of Israel 2. From a small tribe, Benjamin, and a small family, he was humble 3. At his anointing he hid from the people, 1 Samuel 10.22 4. Later on he became very jealous and prideful, 1 Samuel 15.17 a. He disobeyed God by not utterly destroying the Amalekites III) Pride A) Is… 1. Connected with evil, Ps. 10.2,3 2. Condemned, Prov. 6. 16, 17 3. Sets one against the very will of God, James 4.6; 1 Peter 5.5 B) Causes 1. Seeing our success as our own and not God’s a. Kathy Gifford –"this is my god" b. Who is God that I should obey His voice. 2. Being lifted up by others, the constant message of "you are someone special" 3. The character of some people of being self centered and self reliant C) Seen in 1. Rebellious attitudes and actions; "God can not tell me what to do", the attitude I can get away with it because of who I am. 2. People that are self willed and self centered 3. Self confidence and self reliant a. There is a difference in I can do it by myself vs. "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me, Phil. 4.13 b. Can be seen in false humilty 4. We are told to rely on God and His word 5. The branches are connected to the vine, John 15. D) Gets in the way of serving God and others 1. We are to be humble and do godly things in godly ways 2. We are to help each other and rely on each other; not the opposite a. "More blessed to give then receive" Acts 20.35 b. Some body needs to receive; those that refuse to do some when there is a legitimate need are robbing others of the blessing of giving. IV) What need is a good dose of humility A) God is greater than we are 1. He formed us, we did not form Him, 1 Samuel 2.3 2. Realize (I) we need God. Salvation is not earned but given by God to those that are obedient to His word. 3. Submit to the needs of my brethren. 4. Submit to the needs of our family. Conclusion: They speak of high blood pressure as being the "silent killer." Think of pride being the silent spiritual killer. It causes people to disobey God, to think there God will accept whatever they do, to look down on others and build oneself up. Let us have a contrite heart before God. D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 09.23.07 |