Pride needs to be sacrificed, not celebrated!
Welcome, friends, brothers, and sisters in Christ.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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In today’s progressive society, we teach our children to be proud of who they are and how they were born. Parents teach their children that love of self is the most important love. Artists even make songs stating that learning to love yourself is the greatest love. Society today even teaches school-age children that if they do not like to be boys or girls, they can switch genders so they can be proud of themselves.
Is “Pride” a good thing for us to magnify in ourselves?
How does God, our Creator, see pride?
For this study, a “proud person” is identified as someone who opposes God’s will and what is written in His Word. There exists a pride and confidence that is not sinful when we live to honor and glorify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
However, pride, if nurtured, will take control, sneak up on us, and become harmful.
Most people were taught in Sunday school that the “original” sin occurred in the Garden of Eden when Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit. Yes, the original “human” sin happened in the Garden of Eden, but a greater sin occurred before that sin.
Before God created man, He created the angels. One of these angels was so beautiful that his splendor led him to rebel against God, desiring to be a god and usurp God’s authority.
The prophet Isaiah wrote this about this angel:
For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit. Isaiah 14:13-15
This angel, named Lucifer, the Covering Cherub (also known as the devil or Satan), became proud and opposed everything God created. He was in the Garden of Eden and seduced Eve into sin. When Adam sinned, the devil stole Adam’s authority on earth. When Jesus died on the cross, He restored that authority to mankind through prayer in Jesus’ name. This is why we have authority over demons and evil spiritual strongholds.
The prophet Ezekiel explains further:
…“You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created. “You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you. “By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones. “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you. Ezekiel 28:12-17
He was perfect from creation until he sinned. His heart was “Lifted Up” because of his beauty. This is what Pride is: thinking of ourselves more than we ought to (Romans 12:3). Pride is listed as one of the 7 things that God hates for a good reason: it corrupts the wisdom of His creatures.
These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness whospeaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19
A person with a “proud look” walks around as if we created ourselves or were merely a cosmic accident. We believe we have the power to change our destinies as we see fit. A “proud look” resembles looking in the mirror and saying what a beautiful person I have made myself to be. I make my own decisions. I do it my way. Look at the abundance of things I possess. Look at all the people I can call friends, etc.
It is a self-centered life that ignores the fact that everything we are and everything we have comes from God.
Is “Pride” a good thing for us to magnify in ourselves?
There are 3 points about “pride” I will discuss:
(1) A proud person says, “Look what I have become; look how I made myself.”
King David says this of God:
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Psalm 139:13-15
Changing, denying, or revoking what God created is a sinful, proud, and harmful act. God created us as one of two genders. To become confused and think we are something else is the work of the devil, who hates all that God has wonderfully and fearfully made. The devil operates in gray areas, with no absolutes; this way, he creates wiggle room for those blinded by his schemes.
In this fallen world, humanity experiments with numerous chemicals that end up in our water supply and the food we consume. These chemicals damage the DNA of a perfectly made human at conception, resulting in a final product that falls short of what God creates.
Pride says, “I was born like this,” and disregards God’s laws and regulations.
(2) A proud person looks at what they have accomplished in life, all the things they possess, and the great intelligence they enjoy.
The Apostle Paul says this of Jesus Christ:
for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Acts 17:28
Every human being God created, whether good or evil, enjoys breathing the air, eating our daily bread, and enjoying the rain He provides (Matthew 5:45). Without Jesus, we cannot do anything (John 15:5). Yet, we walk around claiming all the great works we have accomplished without honoring Him, who has made it possible for us to live, move, and have our being.
(3) A proud person first seeks what is good for themselves.
A godly person first seeks to honor God and crucify any pride within themselves. They truly understand that ALL blessings come from God, and to boast about anything other than Christ Jesus, who died so we can live, is to deny Him and all He has done for us.
The Apostle Paul, who had every right to be proud as the author of most of the New Testament, shares his views on pride:
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14
Paul says the world has nothing for me; everyone who loves the world aims to be proud and compares their accomplishments with one another. The devil tempts us with three general sins that seek to dishonor our Creator:
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:16
Jesus stated that instead of walking around with a “proud look,” we should strive to become like little children:
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-4
When very young, children do not seek authority (to be the boss), do not recognize outward distinctions, are free from malice, are open to learning, and are willingly dependent on their parents.
Jesus, in one way, is saying:
(1) We need to be dependent on Him always:
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5
(2) We need to stop comparing ourselves:
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12
(3) We need to be teachable by the Holy Spirit:
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14
(4) We need to look out for others first:
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Philippians 2:3
Later in the gospel, Jesus emphasized pride and boasting as incompatible with being a godly person:
But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. Matthew 23:11
In closing:
To “proudly” live in opposition to God and His holy Word is to say to Him, “Thanks but no thanks, I will do it my way, I will make my heaven, I know better, I do not need you!
Let us seek God and trust Him with all our hearts while He can still be found (Isaiah 55:6)!
To God be the glory!
Our Lord Jesus Christ created everything! By Him, For Him!
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
Disclaimer
When God inspires me, I write blogs. Consider this writing as a Bible study. Like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, search the Scriptures to determine whether what I write is so. Always consult with your church ministers about biblical matters. I am also not a professional writer, so some grammar or spelling errors may be present. I try my best to write as efficiently as possible. Your brother in Christ, Ricardo
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My book, “Battle Strategy: God’s Plan Amid Chaos.” It’s packed with helpful insights into Bible study and understanding. You can get a free digital version on my website. Fifty percent of the proceeds from this book go to helping children. The book covers the main biblical points and salvation, so you’ll find something valuable.
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