Sunday, August 20, 2017 pm
PROBLEMS CHRISTIANS FACE
Sinful Pride
Tonight, we want to examine another problem we face as Christians.
Recently we have addressed other problems such as discouragement
and worry. Our goal in this
study is to remind us of how the Bible tells us to live and in so doing
overcome some of these attitudes and problems.
The
problems we are addressing in this periodic series are certainly not
exclusive to Christians. In
fact, they are the way of world and tools Satan uses to diminish our
spirituality and faith.
Often when we struggle with these things it is because too much of the
world is in us. And that is
something we all need to work on as Christians.
Tonight, I want to examine the problem of sinful pride.
This is one of those subjects that it is impossible to
exhaustively cover in one lesson, so we will devote 2 lessons to this.
Tonight, we want to define and show that pride is sinful.
Next week we will address how to deal with pride (by being
humble).
a.
Defined (Google)[1]
–
1(a). A feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from
one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is
closely associated with, or from qualities or possessions that are
widely admired. (b) The consciousness of one’s dignity. (c) The quality
of having an excessively high opinion of oneself or one’s importance.
b.
Biblically, the word
means thinking too highly of yourself; an undue sense of one’s own
importance. And the idea of
being puffed up or conceited.
There are at least 3 different Greek words translated “pride” in the New
Testament. And several words
in the Old Testament. These
words indicate the idea of arrogance or boasting.
c.
Sinful pride – by its
very definition, pride is sinful.
However, we need to understand that it not wrong to recognize
goodness and proper achievements, and to feel good about yourself and
others with humility.
Thinking confidently about yourself is not wrong.
Yet some confuse this with what the Bible calls pride.
To my knowledge, the Bible never uses the word “pride” or “proud”
in a good sense.
d.
Pride can be manifested
in many ways:
i.
Arrogance and
self-righteousness – both words are dealing with an attitude of one’s
perceived superiority overs others.
These are often a product of pride.
ii.
Boasting – when we brag
about ourselves, it is often because we are prideful.
iii.
Being excessively
concerned about our appearance.
Yes we need to take care of ourselves, and there is nothing wrong
with making yourself look your best.
But some become obsessed with appearance (especially aspects they
cannot change)
iv.
Think even of our inward
appearance. Are we more
concerned about what others think about us than what God thinks?
v.
One who is continually
seeking praise from others
vi.
We don’t admit our sin
or that we are wrong
vii.
We don’t admit our
struggles - because of shame or other emotions, we won’t let our
brethren help us deal with what we are struggling with. This CAN be
because of pride.
viii.
We unjustly judge others
– some have an overinflated perception of their being right and they
look down upon those who are different or wrong on a given subject.
Just think of the Pharisees in their dealings with Jesus and His
disciples.
ix.
Persistent
self-degradation – there are some who are constantly talking about how
terrible they are. This MAY
NOT be pride, but some do it as a means to bring attention to
themselves.
x.
Over-confidence – can be
prideful. When you think you
are invincible in a given area, it may be pride at work.
xi.
Thinking you don’t need God – consider James 4:13-17 where we find one
making plans without God.
Instead we ought to say, “If the
Lord wills.” Note vs.
16, But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Psalm 10:4, The wicked in his
proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.
xii.
Thinking you cannot be
wrong! Or that you don’t
need to follow His word or change. (cf.
1 Timothy 6:3-4 – one who will not consent to wholesome words)
xiii.
Assumed humility!
How many are proud of their humility (or maybe some other godly
characteristic).
xiv.
Friends, are we to proud
to admit that we are proud?
a.
There are MANY examples
of pride in scripture –
i.
There was pride as Eve
and then Adam partook of the forbidden fruit and then sought to excuse
it before God. (Genesis 3)
ii.
Pharaoh in rejecting God
(Exodus 5:2);
iii.
Naaman in refusing to
dip in the Jordan (2 Kings 5:11);
iv.
Righteous King Hezekiah
in showing his possessions to the Babylonians (2 Kings 20:13)
v.
Haman (Ester 5:11-12,
etc.) – thinking he was the greatest as he plots to destroy Mordecai and
the Jews
vi.
Simon the magician in
desiring to buy the gifts belonging to apostles (Acts 8:9);
vii.
Peter in rebuking Jesus.
This leads to Jesus telling him he will deny Him 3 times.
(Matthew 26:33-35);
viii.
The continual, boastful
conduct of the Pharisees and scribes – garments to draw attention
(Matthew 23:5-7) , bragging in prayer (Luke 18:10-4, Matthew 23:4 – for
pretense they make long prayers), in questioning Jesus (cf. Luke 10:29 –
a lawyer wanting to justify himself); looking down upon sinners (Luke
7:39 – Jesus at the home of Simon, the Pharisee), etc.
ix.
The church at Laodicea –
Revelation 3:17 – they thought they were rich and needed nothing.
b.
Proverbs 21:4, A haughty
look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin.
Proverbs 13:10, By pride
comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.
Proverbs 16:18, Pride
goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 6:16-17 – A proud look - FIRST in the list of seven things that
the LORD hates – they are abominable to Him.
Proverbs 16:5, Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.
Proverbs 26:12, Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more
hope for a fool than for him.
c.
Mark 7:22 – it is one of
the evil qualities that comes out of the heart.
Along with foolishness, blasphemy, adultery, fornication,
murders, covetousness, lewdness, etc.
d.
Rom 1:30, 2 Timothy 3:2,
2 Corinthians 12:20 (conceits) – lists of ungodliness that include
prideful conduct.
e.
1 John 2:15-17 – the
pride of life of “of the world or the things of the world.”
It is an avenue through which Satan tempts us.
f.
James 4:6 tells us that
God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
a.
It dethrones God from
our hearts.
A good summary of pride is the desire to exalt ourselves beyond
the place where God has put us.
Consider Romans 1:28-30 concerning those who did not like to
retain God in their knowledge.
b.
It deceives us as to who
we really are
– we have seen this in
many of the above passages.
It corrupts the heart and causes you to fail to properly assess your
place before Him.
c.
It leads to numerous other sins
– some already mentioned – self-righteousness, prejudice,
arrogance, bragging, a failure to recognize sin, etc.
d.
Ultimately, it will lead
to our condemnation
– if we do not repent of
our pride, it will condemn us!
1 Corinthians 10:12, therefore, let who thinks he stands, take heed,
lest he fall.
In
this lesson, we have seen what pride is and why it is an attitude we
need to avoid or overcome.
But how do we do this? In a
single word, the answer is humility!
James 4:10 tells us to humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord.
In our next lesson, we want to examine humility as the answer to
our pride.