Now about that Pride…
Now about that Pride…
By Dennis Huebshman
How about some verses about destructive attitude – especially PRIDE. (Note: all emphasis in this message is mine).
Psalm 7:14-16: Behold the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies. He makes a pit digging it out and falls into the hole he has made.
Proverbs 8:13: The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: I (wisdom) hate arrogant Pride and the evil ways and perverse utterances.
Proverbs 11:2: When PRIDE comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 16:18: (probably the most well-known) PRIDE goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 29;23: A person’s PRIDE will bring him low, but one who has a lowly spirit will gain honor.
Isaiah 14:14: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High. (The fall of satan)
Mark 7:21 :22: For from within, out of the human heart comes evil ideas, sexual immorality. theft, murder, adultery, greed, evil, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, PRIDE and folly. (Look what it’s associated with!)
This part of the list could go on and on, but I believe you get the gist. Now, for a different take on PRIDE.
Psalm 47:4: He picked out for us a special land to be a source of PRIDE for Jacob (Israel) whom He loves. (The only people who were promised specific land are the Jews. God has not wavered in this.)
Isaiah 4:2: At that time, the crops given by the Lord will bring admiration and honor; the produce of the land will be a source of PRIDE and delight to those who remain in Israel. (speaking of a “future” time that has been fulfilled since May 14, 1948. Israel has gone from a desolate wasteland to a land that produces an abundance of produce.)
Isaiah 60:5: Then you will look and smile, you will be excited, and your heart will swell with PRIDE. For the riches of distant lands will belong to you and the wealth of nations will come to you. (Millennium).
Matthew 16:18: and I tell you, you are Peter and, on this rock, I will build My Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. (Jesus was Proud of Peter’s profession of Him being the Messiah.)
Luke 14:11: For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (If there’s bragging to be done about one’s self, let others do it.)
Romans 8:28: And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose. (PRIDE in Jehovah)
2 Corinthians 7:4: I have great confidence in you; I take great PRIDE on your behalf. I am filled with encouragement and I am overflowing with joy in the midst of all our suffering. (Pride in people who don’t lose faith in the Lord in spite of adversity.)
Again, there are other illustrations, but the differences between the two lists should be obvious. The first series is destructive while the second is constructive.
God never said we should not have any pride, but the “self” pride that says we are better than all others, including the Lord, is what He condemns. It’s a form of self-worship.
Think of it, satan was probably one of the most beautiful Angels created by God. Yet satan developed a “self-pride” that he believed he should be above the Creator. Sad part is he took about 1/3 of the heavenly angels with him through this destructive nature. They have become demons and will end up in the Lake of Fire forever.
Any time a person begins to believe they are better than anyone else, and they try to rely on their own resources rather than on the Father, they are headed for a fall. They fail to realize that satan is directing their actions and attitudes because he wants to destroy anything good.
To demand to be treated better or with more respect than others around you is destructive pride. To declare yourself more important than others is also destructive. Basically, you are “judging” others to be less worthy and important than you, and this judgment is to be left to God. He may just be very proud of those around you as they are living to the capacity He has provided for them. You just might not be.
On the other hand, to be proud of others and their accomplishments is a good pride. Think of the person who is proud of all others around himself/herself and tries to brighten the day for everyone. It’s a pleasure to be in their presence.
The absolute best pride of all is taking pride in our Savior and what He has done for us. God loves it when we worship His Son and by accepting Jesus, God sees to it we will be with Him forever. No gimmicks or special ceremonies, just ask Jesus for forgiveness and for Him to be our Savior. Jesus wants more than anything else to have a loving relationship with us – so much so that He left His kingdom in Heaven and died on a cross for us.
Jesus knows no one here can be perfect and when asked, will give forgiveness for all of our sins. To refuse this wonderful offer is to tell Him you’re too good for Him and he will allow you to be separated from Him forever.
Please understand, this is not what the Father, Son and Holy Spirit want for us. He would love for ALL to call out and be saved. (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13) Being a just and righteous God, He doesn’t force anyone to love His Son. He allows free-will and won’t make anyone accept eternal life that is being offered for the asking. However, those that refuse are left with only one alternative and that’s the Lake of Fire with satan and his demons forever.
As a pastor, I would like to add a note for all who profess to bring the message of the Great Commission to others. I know of some pastors (unnamed) who need to check their pride at the door. We are to be an example of positive pride as we are held to a higher level of accountability. Arrogant mannerisms and a profession of self-importance only drive people away, and the Father won’t be happy about that. We need to be in prayer that when we present the Word, we do it as our Savior would have us do.
In closing, Joshua said in 24:15 that we need to choose who we will serve. But for me and my household, we will worship the Lord. To not worship the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is to worship the devil – period. As I have said many times in the past, there’s no third option. We are rapidly approaching the time when the Trumpet/Shofar will sound, the Arc Angel will give a shout and ALL BELIEVERS will rise up to meet Jesus in the clouds – the dead in Christ first then those who are alive. This is not fiction. God gave it to us in His word, and He doesn’t lie.
Forever is a long time to be wrong about something!
Maranatha – Shalom