We have forgotten that it was the sin of pride that got Satan kicked out of Heaven.
We have forgotten that God says He hates a proud heart.
As nation we struggle with pride in so many different ways and never notice it. For example Generally Pride would rather tell the incorrect answer or guess then to say, “I don’t know.”
A reason for Many politicians to do this is because of the desire to be seen as extremely knowledgeable that feels it would be embarrassing to ever say, “I don’t know.”
A solution: Both parties must learn to take the focus off of themselves and put it on the Lord, which will result in more fruits of humility.
There are many who fall into egregious sin and they were the same incumbents who said, “I would never commit that sin.” I would never commit adultery.
What happened? Incorrect thought conned thinking into believing it was spiritual enough to do certain things, they don’t have to obey, they can add to God’s word, or other words they put themselves in a position to sin, and they end up falling into sin.
For example, it’s humiliating for an arrogant known trash talker to lose in the house. They were high before, but now they feel low because they are sitting in shame thinking about their arrogant antics and humiliation in front of the world.
In the story of David and Goliath.
Much like Goliath in all his pride saying, “I will take anyone” that was so overconfident in size and in ability thought that none could ever beat him was a little boy by the name of David with a slingshot he mocked.
In his pride Goliath didn’t understand that the Lord was with David.
David didn’t say, “I’m going to do everything” he said, “the Lord will deliver you into my hands.” We all know how it ended.
The prideful Goliath was brought down by the little boy and he was slain.
Humble yourself now so you won’t be humbled later.
1. Ezekiel 28:17 Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you.
2. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.
3. Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, but humility goes before honor.
4. Proverbs 29:23 A person’s pride will humble him, but a humble spirit will gain honor.
When you seek the low position God will honor you and if it is His will He will bring you to a higher position. When you automatically seek the higher position you can be put to shame because God can say, “nope” and He can remove you from the higher position to the lower position.
Luke 14:8-10 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you.”
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather,in humility value others above yourselves.
Luke 14:8-10 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you.”
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather,in humility value others above yourselves.
We became proud and we want more by example.
Some politicians wear $500 suits, but before they used to wear $50 suits. Some incumbents used to associate with the poor and the weak, but now since they are more known they only want to be seen with people that are in high positions. Both forgot where they came from just like the Israelites who forgot where they came from.
That is when God's people begin to forget Him. That is when God's people become proud, covetous, boastful, worldly, etc. and even though the lukewarm try to conceal it , reality still steps in to reveal just about everything and everyone has become a competition not of God on how smart one looks, what they own, how much they make, achievements, etc. that Simple English are entitled to more than others.
When voters stop giving God the glory you agree with them.
Look what happened to Moses. He lost sight of God and started thinking he was the man. If we are to boast then boast only in the Lord!
That is one of the reasons he was punished. His pride caused him to take credit for what God did. Look what he said, “must we bring you water out of this rock?” When people flatter you then you can start taking credit for everything. “I am the guy. I am beautiful, I did everything, I am the smartest.”
God blessed Paul with a thorn so he wouldn’t become conceited. I believe He sometimes blesses us with certain trials so we don’t become conceited because we are sinful by nature.
Our sinful hearts want to proud and God steps in and says, “although you might not understand why this is for your own good.” Pride leads to destruction and God will save His child in any way that He can.
You might think that you know more or you’re more spiritual than a prophet, but God might say, “you have to humble yourself for now and sit under him.” Maybe you have more talent than others and people don’t see it yet, but God might not put you in a higher position yet because He is working on your humility.
12. 2 Corinthians 12:7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
Always remember that Joseph was a slave before he became a ruler.
It causes one to twist Scripture to justify sin.
The Pharisees were blinded by their pride and if you are not careful you can be blinded by your pride as well. Open your heart to rebuke. Pride causes you to say, “no I’m not wrong, no this message is not for me, God will understand.”
Pride is the reason that the Pharisees went to Hell. Has God been trying to tell you things, but your proud heart would not listen? You don’t want to stand before God and hear Him say, “I’ve been trying to get through to you, but you just would not listen!” Pride is the reason why many will spend eternity in Hell. Many atheist deny the truth and they find every single way that they can to claim there is no God.
The proud that God refers to in Proverbs 16:5 will not even acknowledge that they are proud, they won’t repent, they won’t seek help.
God lets us know in this passage that the proud are not saved. They are an abomination to Him.
Praise be to Jesus Christ, not only for saving us from this sin and others, but praise Him because through Him we are able to make war with this sin.
16. Proverbs 16:5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.
17. Proverbs 6:16-17 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood.
Examine yourself!
Why do we do the things that we do? The Holy Spirits encourages America to examine every small detail of their life this week then ask, “what was the motive?”and although it may have struggled with pride what would a nation need to do that puts trust in the perfect merit of Christ renewed daily?
Why do we do the things that we do? The Holy Spirits encourages America to examine every small detail of their life this week then ask, “what was the motive?”and although it may have struggled with pride what would a nation need to do that puts trust in the perfect merit of Christ renewed daily?
