Sermon About Pride: Conquering Pride with Humility
The concept of pride has been around for centuries;In many cultures, pride is seen as a good thing. People should be proud of their achievements; it makes them stronger and helps them to avoid negative thoughts. However, people should be careful about how they express their pride. Being too proud can cause trouble for everyone.
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I. The Proud Resist the Word of God (Jeremiah 43:2,4,7)
Our journey into understanding pride and its consequences begins with a look at the resistance to the Word of God. In Jeremiah 43:2,4,7, we see the example of God's people who refused to listen to His word through the prophet Jeremiah. Their pride caused them to reject God's guidance, leading to their own detriment. Pride can blind us to the wisdom and direction found in God's Word.
II. "Pride Comes Before Destruction" (Proverbs 16:18)
Proverbs 16:18 famously warns us that "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse serves as a clear reminder that pride can be the precursor to our downfall. When we allow pride to take hold of our hearts, we become vulnerable to making poor decisions and experiencing the consequences of our arrogance.
III. "God Resists the Proud" (James 4:6)
James 4:6 provides another perspective on pride, revealing that "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble." God's resistance to the proud is a sobering thought, as it signifies that pride hinders our communion with Him and His grace. It is through humility that we can experience His unmerited favor and blessings.
IV. Fall Due to Pride (Isaiah 14:12-15)
Isaiah 14:12-15 provides a profound illustration of pride leading to a catastrophic fall. It describes the downfall of Lucifer, who, in his pride, sought to exalt himself above God. His rebellion resulted in his expulsion from heaven. This passage serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of pride, even in the spiritual realm.
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V. "Humility Before Honor" (Proverbs 15:33)
We begin by considering Proverbs 15:33, which states, "The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor." This verse emphasizes that true honor and wisdom are born out of humility. Humility is the foundation upon which God's favor and blessings rest. It is an acknowledgment of our dependence on God and a recognition of His wisdom and sovereignty.
VI. Pride as a Barrier to Repentance (Luke 18:9-14)
In Luke 18:9-14, we find the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee's pride and self-righteousness prevented him from approaching God with a humble heart. In contrast, the tax collector, aware of his sinfulness, approached God with humility and repentance. Jesus teaches us that it is the humble heart that receives God's mercy. Pride can act as a barrier to repentance, hindering our ability to receive forgiveness and transformation.
VII. Pride in the Christian Community: Cause of Division (1 Corinthians 3:3)
1 Corinthians 3:3 warns us of the destructive power of pride within the Christian community: "For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?" Pride can lead to divisions, jealousy, and strife among believers. It disrupts the unity that God desires for His Church. To maintain a harmonious Christian community, we must address and overcome our pride.
VIII. Be a servant: To the scriptures
All Christians are called to be servants of the scripturesWhat does it mean to be a servant of the scripture?
- It is to humble ones self and to put God first
- It is to lose your life in service to God through scripture
- It is the opposite of pride and arrogance, we will never know everything.
2 Peter 3:18.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
To me, to grow in grace is to:
- Grow in God’s power.
- Get rid of the pride, ego, and attitude of self-sufficiency. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9.
The Poison of Pride: A Biblical Warning
Base Text: Proverbs 21:4
“Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the unplowed field of the wicked, produce sin.”
In the economy of God, the condition of the heart is the most critical metric. When a person behaves with haughtiness and arrogance—mocking God and despising fellow men—they reveal a heart saturated with wickedness.
Pride is a sin that the Scriptures condemn with absolute firmness. It is perhaps the most destructive force within the work of the Lord, as it seeks to replace God’s sovereignty with human ego. If we truly desire to please God, we must abandon the pedestal of pride and submit ourselves humbly to Him. The Christian is called to be neither boastful nor overbearing, but to embody the humility taught by Jesus Christ in Matthew 18:1-6.
I. Pride is a Sin Condemned by Scripture
The Word of God does not view pride as a mere personality flaw; it views it as an affront to the Creator.
A. God Abhors Pride
In Proverbs 6:16-17, a list is given of things the Lord hates, and "haughty eyes" sits at the very top. Pride manifests as:
• Self-sufficiency: Believing we don't need God.
• Superiority: Feeling elevated above others.
• Contempt: Despising our neighbor.
As Proverbs 16:5 declares: "The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished."
B. God Does Not Tolerate the Haughty
Scripture teaches that God actively rejects the proud.
• Psalm 101:5: "Him who has a haughty look and a proud heart I will not endure."
• 1 Samuel 2:3: We are warned not to keep speaking so proudly, for the Lord is a God who knows and weighs our deeds.
C. The Ruin of King Uzziah
The life of King Uzziah serves as a somber case study in the danger of success. 2 Chronicles 26:16 records that "after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall."
1. He became unfaithful to the Lord.
2. He dared to enter the temple to burn incense—a task reserved only for priests.
3. He was struck with leprosy for the rest of his life. The lesson is clear: Pride always ends in ruin.
D. Pride as the Mark of the Wicked
• False Teachers: Paul warns that those who stray from sound doctrine are "conceited and understand nothing" (1 Timothy 6:3-4).
• The Impious: Pride characterizes those who reject God (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:30).
• Satan: The fall of the morning star was caused by pride. He wished to exalt his throne above the stars of God (1 Timothy 3:6; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6).
• The Spirit of the World: 1 John 2:16 identifies "the pride of life" as one of the three core elements of the fallen world system.
II. Pride Produces Anger, Strife, and Self-Deception
Pride is never a solitary sin; it is a "root" sin that produces bitter fruit (Proverbs 21:24; 28:25; Jeremiah 49:16).
A. The Destructive Fruits of Pride
1. Shame and Dishonor: When pride comes, disgrace follows (Proverbs 11:2). The proud man seeks honor but eventually finds himself despised.
2. Degradation: "Pride brings a person low" (Proverbs 29:23). It is a spiritual law of gravity—the higher you lift yourself, the further you must fall.
3. Certain Punishment: The Scriptures are clear that the proud will be judged (Zephaniah 2:10-11). Before destruction, the heart of man is haughty (Proverbs 18:12).
III. Christians Must Avoid Pride at All Costs
Because God’s nature is holy and humble, He cannot dwell in harmony with a proud spirit.
A. God Resists the Proud
James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 both quote the same powerful truth: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." The word "opposes" (or "resists") is a military term. It means that God sets Himself in battle array against the proud. If you live in pride, you are not just making a mistake; you are making an enemy of God.
B. God Favors the Humble
Psalm 138:6 gives us a beautiful contrast: "Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar."
• God looks at the humble.
• God draws near to the humble.
• God blesses the humble.
Conclusion:
Pride is a formidable and destructive force that can hinder our relationship with God and lead to our downfall. The examples in Scripture, such as the resistance to God's Word, the warning in Proverbs, the promise of grace to the humble in James, and the fall of Lucifer in Isaiah, all highlight the importance of humbling ourselves before God.
Ppride is a stumbling block that hinders our spiritual growth, repentance, and unity within the Christian community. The Scriptures remind us that humility precedes honor, and it is a crucial quality for drawing near to God. The parable in Luke underscores the importance of approaching God with a humble and repentant heart, while 1 Corinthians warns us of the divisive nature of pride within the Church.
As we reflect on these passages, let us examine our own hearts and seek to cultivate humility in our lives. By acknowledging our dependence on God and recognizing His wisdom and guidance through His Word, we can avoid the pitfalls of pride and embrace the blessings of humility. Let us choose the path of humility, knowing that it leads to a closer relationship with our loving Father and safeguards us from the destructive force of pride. In the name of Jesus, we pray
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