The Dangers of Pride

Or we can follow lady Folly which ultimately is Satan's path. And in what are things that we said is that none of us follow wisdom the way we should that the Book of Proverbs is not so much about the wisdom of Solomon as it is a commentary on the wisdom of Solomon. And then ultimately Jesus Christ is The Good Son of Proverbs. That is ultimately why today we begin a new section in the Book of Proverbs and Proverbs chapter 10 through 29 are assorted for the most part Proverbs of Solomon later on. There's going to be some Proverbs that Hezekiah compiled some of Solomon's Proverbs Hezekiah compiled by large chapters 10 through 29 follow a pattern and here's the pattern there really is no pattern. They're just a bunch of individual Proverbs a lot of time. Proverbs will build upon one another a lot of times. He's proverb Proverbs will contrast with one another but it is kind of hidden mess and I'm going to give you a sampling in Proverbs chapter 10 in verses 1 through 12 Proverbs chapter 10 verses 1 through 12, and you can go ahead and read those real quick and says the Proverbs of Solomon. It just kind of notice how these Proverbs kind of. Contrast with one another build upon one another but they're not necessarily thematic along the way. The Proverbs of Solomon why son makes his father glad but a foolish son. Is this already with Mother Treasures gain by wickedness do not profit but righteousness delivers from Death. The Lord is not let the righteous go hungry. Remember Proverbs are probabilities not promises, but he threw its the craving of the wicked a slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich he who gathers and summer is a prudent son and he who keeps in Harvest or excuse me, but he who sleeps in Harvest is a son who brings shame blessings are in the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence, the memory of the righteous is a blessing but the name of the wicked will rot the whys of heart will receive Commandments but a babbling fool will come to ruin whoever walks and integrity walk securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out whoever Winx the eye causes trouble a babbling fool Will Come Ruin, the mouth of the righteous is a Fountain of Life. But the mouth of the wicked conceals violent hatred stirs up Strife, but love covers all offences. And this is kind of a sampling of the way chapter 10 through 29 go there they're not necessarily these individual Proverbs are not necessarily related their kind of all over the map. And if we were to read these Proverbs what are things that we would discover? Is it as we're looking at them some of them were like, oh, yeah, man, I'm good as that I had top of that pretty well and then other problems are like, I think I struggle with that. Yeah, I'm good. I'm good, though. I struggle I struggle with that a struggle that I'm pretty decent if that it's in this is really by Design. I think these Proverbs all over the map is too to let us know that we don't have it together, but we still need the wise son. We need Christ. We need to come to Jesus because we're not wise because chapters ten through 29th or not. The Matic it's hard to present them. So what we are doing in the family of churches is we've decided basically to take a particular theme that my pop up in a lot of these Proverbs from chapter 10 through 29. Today. We're going to talk about pride of next week. Jacob Bard will be here in in will be talkin about speech will not talk about family when Talk about finances along the way but we're going to take a particular subject that found throughout chapters ten through 29 and focus on that and any particular day today, it is the dangers of Pride. So there is an old story about a frog who wanted to fly. And so what he did was he has some Eagle friends and he convinced the Eagles friends to take him on a flight and inside the Eagles would have had a stick in the talons in their talents and they were holding that and then the the Frog bit into the stick and so he was taken for this wonderful flight know when the Frog was flying everybody was in all of his frog buddies were so impressed that this frog was flying with the Eagles and they're just like mad front that this is this is amazing. You're flying this is this is a tremendous idea and hit all of a sudden the frogs. Let's go of the stick that that's allowing him to be up in the air. I know it's a great idea is

Pride goeth before a fall. So recently we know that women's basketball is more popular than it has been in years. A lot of the reasons. Is this this Caitlin Clark player sheep. She played for Iowa has a tremendous player for iOS. She led them to to National Championship Game sheet. I lost both National Championship games or her team Dead one year was to Angel recent LSU and and then most recently to The Undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks. I'd have to throw that in being a Carolina grad, but now that they've gone to the WNBA the ratings are through the roof the the attendance that they're getting more attendants a regular-season game. Then there are NBA playoff games. I mean that there's a lot of popularity going on and a lot of people attribute it to this Caitlin Clark player. He's a good player right to be mouth at times and she dishes it out. And I think she gets his wealth but there's another player that was her rival in College. Angel Reese. This is enough. It's not just Caitlin Clarke that the reason to wanba is public because of me too and you can see the pride kicking in there like who is the best no one wants to be one up and you know it if we think about it, we are definitely prone to pull up right now. There's a there's a good definition of pride that's presented pride is an overwhelming desire to see yourself is better or more important than others. And pride is an overwhelming. desire to take God's place in your life Pastor buck in in some of our interactions heat he is down in a Wanda Woods He came up or he presented the original Webster's Dictionary. Definition of pride is an inordinate self-esteem and unreasonable conceit of one's superiority and talents Beauty. Well accomplishments rank or elevation in office which manifests itself in lofty Aires distance reserve and often in contempt for others. It's a good definition as well that Pastor buck. President. Well, we know that this month is pride month. Right. I mean it who knew that there were so many Charley Pride fans and that we would celebrate his music for an entire month. Right? I mean Charlie Pride is great, but I mean entire month 12th, and thanks Leslie. He actually shared that with me last night. Thought I'd use it today. but when we think about this whole idea of a of a pride month, what why don't we proud up that that we have a different definition than God standard for sexuality. Is that what we're proud of or are we proud of the. The fact that? Biological man can beat biological women in sports. Are we proud the biological men want to go and biological women's restrooms. Is that what we're proud of Are We proud of that were grooming children through a drag queen Story Hour or that were exploiting young people that have gender dysphoria. Is it? Is that what we're proud of teeth people? Pulling onto this whole idea of proud. I'm I am who I am and you have to deal with it because the way I am is better than God's way. Yo Pride.

Manifested itself from the start. I want you to think about Satan there a couple passages in the Old Testament Ezekiel chapter 28 and Isaiah chapter 14th, which many commentators think highlight the fall of Satan. First of all it made if you want to turn here, that's fine Ezekiel chapter 28 Ezekiel chapter 28 a particular verse. Our series of versus I'm looking verses 14 through 17. Now this contextually has to do with the fall of the king of Tyre eats the most commentators think that this is actually also pointing to the power behind the king of Tyra who is very prideful that being Satan himself because some of the language fits more esteem than the actual king of Tyree verse 14. You are the anointed Guardian cherub. I placed you you were on the Holy Mountain of God in the midst of the stones the fire that you walked you were blameless in your ways from the day that you were created till unrighteousness was found in you in the abundance of your trade. You were filled with violence in your mixed. And you send those are based on on what he did. He send his pride. So I cast you as a profane thing from the Mountain of God. I destroyed you a guardian cherub from the midst of the stones of fire. What was the reason for 17th? Your heart was proud because of your beauty. You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your Splendor. I cast you the ground. I expose you before Kings to Feast their eyes on you. And then there is a passage in Isaiah chapter 14 and take a look at that real quick. this context Julie has to do with the king of Babylon and some of his pride but once again commentators think that this figurative language is also extending to the fall of Lucifer the fall of Satan starting in verse 12 how you have fallen from Heaven Daystar, son of dawn how your cut to the ground you who laid the nation's low you said in your heart, and I noticed this I will send to Heaven above the stars of God. I will set my Throne on high. I will sit on the Assembly of Mount in the far reaches of the north. I will send above the heights of the clouds. I will make myself like the most high. But you are brought down to Shield to the far reaches the pit those who see will stare at you. They will ponder over you. see Satan Lucifer, iiiiiiiiiiii pride pride pride pride

Satan fell because of Pride and truthfully we fall all the time because of her own Pride. We are think we are the center of the universe and we are not goddess And there are dangers in Pride. And today we're going to look at three dangers and pride. I'm going to invite you real quick to turn to Proverbs chapter 25 in versus 67. And when you get that I would ask you to stand in honor of the reading of God's word Proverbs chapter 25 verses 6 & 7

you're able to do so. All right. Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence.

We're staying in the place of the Great. Food is better to be told come up here. Then to be put lower in the presence. The noble what is described you're obviously someone who puts themself forward that wants accolades in the claim. But yet in their pride they jumped the gun. Speaks of a king who says Nah, you're sitting in the place of honor. You got come on down. Let's pray your father. Truthfully. We are all prone to be prideful.

Help us to remember that every good gift comes from you the Father of Lights from whom there is no shifting Shadow to anything good in our life. We attribute to you whether it's our talents or abilities.

Our blessings. We thank you for them Lord strip us of pride. I mean I get it that that that we want to work hard. That if we do something in the workplace, we want to do it well.

But there is a pride that is dangerous. That wants to take your place Lord and nobody can take your place. I pray that is we see this sampling. Of the dangers of Pride from The Book of Proverbs and that we will humble ourselves and your presents so we can go forward in life and be elevated by you.

In Christ's name we pray. Amen. You may be seated. Alright Still In this passage. We're going to see. Three dangers of Pride or the series of passages from proverbs 10 through 29. First of all Pride causes you to think that you know, better Pride causes you to think that you know better. I'm in so how do you identify pry?

And understand this Proverbs 14-3 says the proud of speech of a fool brings the rod of discipline, but the lips of the wise protect them. So, how do we identify Pride? First of all, you talk about yourself too much you talk about yourself too much Proverbs 21:4 says that's the lamp that guides the wicked haughty eyes and an arrogant Heart It send what time do just think about ourselves too much with we will think about other people we don't think about other groups, it's me myself and I it's so we're always just thinking about our self. That's that's one way that we can identify if we are prideful.

But also you think about yourself too much you think about yourself too much. The what?

You can back it up one.

the lamp that guides the wicked haughty eyes and arrogant heart it is send you think about yourself too much A lot of times we are.

Don't give thought to other people what they need what they want what they desire. We're just in it for ourselves. So we we talk about ourselves too much.

Proverbs 11:12 says this

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remain silent see a lot of time. We compare ourselves to others and we said hey, they're not as good as we are. So we talk about ourselves too much. We think about ourselves too much. But then we also act too much for ourselves. We act too much for ourselves.

Proverbs 26:12 says do you see a person who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

And then Proverbs 28:26 reminds us the one who trusts in himself. Is a fool but the one who walks and wisdom. Will be safe.

There are those. that view life is nothing more than how life can serve them. And every decision is filtered through what's good for the individual and in other people are not take into consideration God's not taking into consideration. Remember talking to a young person a few years ago. They were kind of acting up and it in youth group and kind of being a disturbance was over when I was in Green Ridge and and this is like what what what what is going on with you? I mean what what is happening here? I mean, you used to be a little bit different. You used to be more responsive. You used to be more receptive and basically this individual said to me I don't need.

You don't need got really so. What exactly do you trust it? I trust in myself and I probably shouldn't have done it. But I did I laughed in his face cuz that was my initial reaction. You are a 13 year old boy and you trust in yourself Really? I mean, why would any of us trust in ourselves? We should know ourselves. We need God. We need Christ. It's not all about us. And in our actions in life just shouldn't be about me myself and I if it is you're being very prideful and it's a very foolish. Well, there's a second danger in Pride and the second danger is this Pride caused you to think that you were better Pride causes you to think that you are better now?

I invite you to turn to Luke chapter 18. In verses 9 through 14. Yes. That's the Gospel of Luke. You might be familiar with it. We were there for 14 months Luke chapter 18.

Verses 9 through 14. We're going to see an example of price someone whose Pride caused him to think that he was better than another person. So Jesus is

Does a parable here verse 9? He also told this Parable to some who trusted in themselves. But they were righteous. And treated others with contempt. And now he describes the scenario two men went up to the temple to pray one of Pharisee. And the other tax collector, so we see a contrast here in this Society every parent would have wanted their daughter to marry a Pharisee they were educated. That they were the religious types. They were looked up to and then there was a tax collector tax collections may have been rich, but they were considered sell out. They were considered people who warned other people. They were always the villains in Jewish society. And so you have a Pharisee the best and the brightest. Can you have a tax collector?

And then here's the contrast. Verse 11 the Pharisee standing by himself raid us God. I thank you that I'm not like other men extortioners. I'm just adulterers or even like this tax collector I fast twice a week and I give tithes of all that I get honey. It's almost like the Pharisee. It is thinking that he's doing God a favor by being there in the temple parade God aren't you pressed with how great I am how prideful I am.

But notice the tax collector verse 13 was a tax collector standing far off would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but he beat his breast saying God be merciful to me a sinner.

Is a tax collector didn't even feel worthy to lift up his eyes to heaven was beating his breast morning over his sin. God be merciful to me the center. This was not the posture Pride. This was the posture of humility. And what is Jesus's evaluation of this verse 14th. I tell you that this man went to his house Justified rather than the other for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled but the one who humbles himself Will be exalted.

Pride goeth before a fall and pride causes us to think that we're better than other people and if you think about it, we're kinda love this way. Sometimes we may not be as overt as this Pharisee but a lot of times I'm better than that guy kind of person. I'm better than them over there. I don't do that. I'm just better. But we remind in the Book of Proverbs Proverbs 16:18 pride comes before destruction and arrogant spirit before a fall.

And Proverbs 13:10 reminds us arrogant arrogance leads to nothing but Strife but wisdom is gained by those who take advice. arrogance Pride leads to destruction I remember a few years ago Lynn and I when we were dating Linda was talking about the guys type of guys that she likes type of guys that she didn't like. I don't know I made the cut I guess but but she said that the one type of guy that she didn't like didn't care how they looked didn't care how wealthy they may be how educated she didn't like prideful boast. Ellis that it just wasn't attractive to her. And I'm not sure it is attractive to other people we brag on ourselves and we want to make herself look good, but I think when we brag on ourselves, we don't look good. We look insecure see if you're truly great. It'll come to the surface whether you talk about it or not.

eventually surprise causes you to think that you are better.

Pride is destructive for a lot of reasons. I think about Envy I remember one of my best childhood friends and I've shared this before Kevin derryberry. Yeah, that was his name Kevin derryberry. I mean we were best buds. We did everything together or Dad's had season tickets to Arizona State game. We went to Phoenix Suns game. We swam and Andy know and I'll pull their buddy had to pull out in Phoenix with like with Obama was just great where the same ball teams. Did everything together one time Kevin made the honor roll and I did not And I was so angry it hurt my pride and my best friend got an honor got enough certificates got got got to come in front of the class. I was jealous and I was envious and I tell you what it poisoned our relationship for a couple of months Pride lead to Envy Pride led the pride can lead the bitterness to and deceit

slander I mean someone else accomplishes something that we want.

I will slander them and I think that's even part of it and I'm not like a Caitlin Clark to send her anything like that. I mean, I'm in South Carolina person. I'm still salty about the semi-finals from here ago. But I think a lot of the reasons that the people disowned her is there their they're jealous of her. Is it that they're jealous of her until they slander her and then Pride can lead to Greed and pride is destructive because you won't submit.

Ephesians chapter 5 the talks about submit to one another be subject to one another in the fear of Christ 12th lot of times. We don't want to put another person's needs ahead of our own. We don't want to subject ourselves to another person as we think we're better than they are so we don't subject ourselves. We don't submit sometimes we won't confess with we're too proud to confess to another person or to God that we've done something wrong. I know you have. And you'll have to look at your spouse. You happen to be here, right?

But we've all had arguments. And all the sudden we realize in the midst of the argument that we really are wrong. But we can't admit it because we don't want to admit that we are wrong. I mean it is the light bulb has come on. We know that okay. I did get it. I was mistaken, but we just we digging our heels and we can't admit it. Because we can't confess sometimes. Pride leads us to not to forgive that person hurt me. I didn't deserve to be hurt hurt. I'm important my feelings matter. So we don't forget if somebody because of pride. The other people should forgive but not us. Sometimes Pride leads us to not seeking to understand another person. I'm better than you. I'm better than that group. And that's one of the problems in society as people talk about one another but not to each other that they don't bother to find out another person's perspective. Like it and you may not end up agreeing with their perspectives police. You can seek to understand them the pride a lot of time. I'm right you're wrong my groups better than your group. My political affiliation is better than your political affiliation. My thoughts are better than your thoughts. My team is better yours and we don't even seek to understand someone else a lot of times Pride will cause us not to seek help and I could do it on my own. I like bought I bought a limit of a car one time because I didn't want to I was grown man and I didn't mean to ask my dad for help. I didn't even need to ask his advice. I could go out and get that car in my own when I'm got the car mom paid cash for it and it is a lemon and I remember, you know talking to my dad a few months later is like this car is terribly says I could have told you that that car was terrible but The Pride, I'm a grown man got in the way of someone seeking help a lot of times pride gets in the way of guys asking for directions, right? Well, hey pride is destructive because you won't be patient. A lot of times we get mad at God. Because he doesn't give us what we want when we want it and so we don't want to trust God for it. And yet God doesn't have to work on our timetable because you know what? We're not the center of the universe God is sometimes we won't serve. Because we're probably I'm too good for that. I'm too good for manual labor. I'm too good to clean a bathroom or whatever it maybe I don't do that my type of people. We don't we don't lower yourself to do something like that. It's a lot of times people don't serve because they are prideful. But once again Proverbs 16:19 remind is better to be lonely of spirit with The Humble The Divide plunder with the proud. and then finally pride is another danger pride pride causes forget that Jesus is better Pride causes us to forget that Jesus is better. The humility is the the honor humility not pride humility is the path that honor Proverbs 15:30 see reminds us. The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches and humility comes before honor. We must fear Yahweh. We must fear the lord. We not misunderstand. He's in control that life's about him.

And then if we want to be honored ultimately we need to be humble knowing our proper place. Also, though. Self-obsession is the path to humiliation. Pride tells us to forget the Jesus's better. And when we're self-obsessed we're prideful it is not the place or it's a place to humiliation Proverbs. 3:34 says he mocks those who mock the gives grace to the humble James. half brother of Jesus in the Epistle of James says God is opposed to the proud, but he gives Grace to the humble

How do we grow? In humility while I'm simply say this, don't be stubborn. Don't think that you've arrived. You don't have it all figured out. You're not self-sufficient. You need the Lord. So don't be stubborn confess your idolatry because sometimes you know, what or idolatry is it sometimes idolatry could be a materialism. Sometimes it be another relationship. Sometimes we can be our own Idols. We worship ourselves. We act like the universe revolves around us. So we need to confess or idolatry. But I think the pathway to humility and how we grow in humility is just simply to be absorbed in the greatness in the Beauty and the glory of God.

Look forward to his wonderful face. Things of Earth will grow strangely dim. Gays think and Ponder upon the glory of Christ unfold this passage today. We know there's lots of dangers and pride. It was dangerous for that frog in that story. The let go of the branch fell to his destruction. It's just a story but it does illustrate something.

Pride was dangerous for Satan prydz dangerous for us is whether we like it or not. We need the Lord. A lot of people are actually arrogant and prideful enough to think that they can go to Heaven by their own good works. Hey, I'm a good person. I'm better than the guy down the street. I don't do what they do.

To the matter is is the guy down the street is not your standard. That we're comparing ourselves to God is the standard god is perfect. God is Holy.

We shall be holy for God. It's holy. We're told them scripture. But all of us fall short of the glory of God, none of us. None of us meet God standard and the wages of sin is death. We deserve Eternal separation from God. We have a sin problem and we cannot solve that SIM from Romans chapter 3 talks about that that by works of the law. No person will be justified. In other words. I don't care if you're a good person or not. If you think you're good person or not, you're not good enough and there is you cannot be religious enough or you cannot be good enough to go to Heaven by your own Merit and buy your own effort. You're not good enough.

but the good news is that the wise son of Proverbs is He was sinless. He lived the life. We could never live. And he died the death we deserve to die and he willingly lay down his life. He went to the Cross. He suffered he bled. He was tortured all of our sins were placed on him in one afternoon of time and then he not only died on the cross and said it is finished that our sins are paid in full, but he rose again from the grave conquering sin and death and if we in humility that got I can't save myself. I need Jesus to save me and if we in humility call.