Daniel (7)

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Introduction: Last week, we discovered that King Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by God. God humbled him for his presumptuous pride and self glory. After he came to his senses, King Nebuchadnezzar offered a warning of his own. “Those who walk in Pride… the Most High God is able to humble.” The New Testament writers James and Peter both make a very similar declaration when they allude to Proverbs 3:34 (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5-11)

Proverbs 3:34 ESV

Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

Read: Daniel 4:34-37

God ruled over king Nebuchadnezzar by... (1.) Giving Jehoiakim into his hand (1:2), (2.) Giving Daniel and his friends a better diet than the king gave (1:17-20), (3.) Giving Daniel dream/and interpretation (chapter 2), (4.) by saving 3 young men from the King’s fire (chapter 3), (5.) and now in (chapter 4) Sending him to dwell with the beasts of the field for 7 years.

Pride was a major problem for King Nebuchadnezzar. Pride is a major problem for everyone of us today. The great English preacher, Charles Spurgeon , once said, “The demon of pride was born with us; and it will not die one hour before us.” No doubt, pride is a constant temptation against our souls. Pride rises early condoning us and goes to bed late condemning us. Plainly put, Pride keeps us from Christ.

Today, we are making a further investigation into pride and humility. What is the evidence of God humbling those who walk in pride? When God humbles what changes?

Right view of God.

Nebuchadnezzar had already spoken true things about God. 2:47, 3:28. But now he is speaks to the nations, and notice what he says... 4:3; 34 &37. The change is that His view of God became personal. He has changed his tone from “the God they worship” to “I praise, extol, and honor the King of heaven”. Now, as we discussed last week, only the King of Heaven can assert weather or not this was authentic faith, but we can at least recognize that something significant has changed in Nebuchadnezzar. He has been humbled by the King of heaven, and now he is testifying a right view of God. Nebuchadnezzar is an example for us of how pride distorts our view of God, and how humility clarifies our view of God.

A definition of pride. See page 6 of Stuart Scott “From Pride to Humility”. Now, after hearing this definition , we may be tempted to think, “Well that doesn’t describe my attitude. I don’t think or live with that kind of self-absorption. However, we must consider some of the ways the Bible reveals that pride shows up in our lives. (read through some examples pg.6-11)

Last week, we ended our time by asking the question, “Who is on the throne of my life.” Answering this question reveals the major difference between Pride and Humility. See picture for distinction between a Self Centered Life and God Centered Life. All of these are essentially symptoms of pride.

However, notice the difference when Christ is on the throne. See picture. Which leads us to our second answer.

Transition: When God humbles us, he changes us. The first thing to change is our view of Him. Next, is our view of self. When God humbles us, he gives us a right view of self.

Right view of self.

Jesus said in Matthew 23:11-12

Matthew 23:11–12 ESV

The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

True greatness is not in how many people know you, or how many followers you have on a social media, or how many touchdowns you've scored or straight A’s you've recieved. True greatness is found in service to Christ by serving others. This is the way of Jesus.

Definition of humility on page: 19 . Now, after hearing this definition , we may be tempted to think, “Well that doesn’t describe my attitude. I don’t think or live with that kind of desire for God. However, we must consider some of the ways the Bible reveals that humility shows up in our lives. (read through some examples pg.20-24)

Pride is a very deceitful sin. Iv’e heard it said that pride is the sin that makes everyone else sick except the person who has it. It is the sin that Satan was committing when he was kicked out of heaven. It is the sin that we can fall so accustomed that we even justify it against the clear conviction of God’s word.

On the other hand, Humility is a very subtle virtue. We don’t usually see people possessing humility going around announcing it. Humility takes a variety of shapes and sizes in our lives and quite frankly I think it is often misinterpreted.

Example: Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandfather. He didn’t talk much, except when engaging strangers. He wasn't overpowering. He seemed a little aloof to things that most people got hot and bothered about. He spoke up and lead when called upon, but wasn’t out front seeking the lime light. Some may have accused him as being a poor old farmer who didn’t make much a mark on his generation. However, being able to observe his life nearly 30 years after his death, I see that he was exulted with true greatness, because he was humbly serving like His Savior.

Proverbs 18:12 says ...

Proverbs 18:12 ESV

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

Honor is God given to the humble for God’s glory.

Honor is self-imposed by the proud for Self-glory.

Transition: The major change in a person humbled by God is a right view of God, and of ourselves. Simply put, the key change that happens when God humbles us is we begin to love God and others. Which Jesus said summarizes the whole Law and Prophets.

Transition: With this in mind, I want to close our time thinking about how we can put off pride, and put on humility. Just like boys that need to change out of muddy clothes; how should we go about taking off the old muddy clothes of pride, and putting on the fresh clean clothes of humility?

How can we put off pride, and put on humility?

Answer: God's grace salvation and sanctification.

Colossians 3:1-10 tells us…

Colossians 3:1–10 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

How can we put off pride?

Because of God’s grace providing salvation. Which changes our position and identity into a new creation in Christ Jesus. This is why every one of us must be constantly reminded of the gospel. This is another reason why we participate in the Lord’s Supper as often as we do and take it as seriously as we do. The reminder of what Christ has done continues to crush our pride!

How can we put on humility?

Because of God’s grace providing sanctification. This is a daily transformation of our heart desires. Which are then manifested in our actions toward God and others.

a. We humble ourselves through prayer, Bible intake, and faith fueled obedience.

Closing: Challenge/assignment… Work through this little booklet this week. And share your discoveries with someone.

Closing Prayer: Father, we have witnessed the rise and fall of nations. We have observed the rise and fall of kings. By Your grace, we confess that the power we have is not our own. And we confess that not one of us will keep it. However, we recognize that we must give an account for how we steward the strength and grace, the salvation and sanctification that we have been given. Jesus, we praise you for your strength and obedience that open the door for us to have this salvation sweeter than honey. Holy Spirit, help us now to put off Pride and put on humility!

Close by corporate reading…

Proverbs 11:2, Proverbs 18:12, Proverbs 29:23