Pride goes before destruction

Proverbs 11:2 ESV

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 15:25, 33 ESV

The Lord tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries.   The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 18:12 ESV

Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 23:17-18 ESV

Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.  Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 27:1-2 ESV

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.  Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

Rev. Dan Whang

We live in a world that gets us to showcase and glorify ourselves. This world encourages pride. A working definition of pride is elevating ourselves above others, even above God.

Expressions of pride

Competitive Spirit (unhealthy kind)

People don't generally see themselves as proud. But often people want to be richer, smarter, etc. We measure ourselves against others. So what is so wrong about this competitive spirit? We treat people different based on whether they are smarter, richer, etc.

Boasting

We feel slighted when we don't get proper credit. We want to talk about our accomplishments.

Insecure self-absorption

When people try to give you advice or feedback, we take it personally. It is about our self worth. We can't stand it when other people are having fun and making so much noise. We hate all these posts on Facebook because they are doing so well.

Spiritual pride

Some of us do spiritual things for the approval of others. We act humble for public eyes.

Envy

We resent others because we want what they have. We sulk when they succeed and rejoice when others fall. If we admit envy, it means we are small and petty.

If you think you don't suffer from this, consider those you are critical towards. Why are you always looking for fault in them? This is likely envy... A symptom of pride in your heart.

Dangers of pride

Pride leads to destruction

Destruction doesn't sometimes follow pride. It always follows pride. From the titanic to the tower of Babel, God always destroys the proud. It is almost like a promise.

The proud can never learn

The proud become hardened in their ways. They stop learning because they are always in the right. Even their opinions are right! Eventually, they will not seek the wisdom from God.

God stands opposed to the proud

He will tear down the house of the proud. He calls them to repent and draw close to God. The proud set themselves in enmity towards God.

How to cultivate humility

Remember Jesus is the humble king and keep your gaze on Him

Jesus was never competitive or proud. Instead He came to serve and die for his enemies. This is how we grow humility. We focus on Jesus and become stunned by the grace of God. The vision of Jesus on the cross dying for our sins will humble us.

Remember that Jesus draws near to the humble and honors them

Humility is not hating yourself. It is not low self esteem. It is to stop focusing on ourselves. We are to lose sight of ourselves in the glory of God.

Application

Make your greatest boast in the Lord Jesus Christ and his crucifixion.