Thriving Spiritually When Humbled by Pride
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Introduction
You Might Struggle with Pride If…
You Might Struggle with Pride If…
Your favorite hymn is "How Great I Am." (And you belt it out like it’s your personal theme song.)
You’ve ever prayed, “Lord, help these people see how humble I am.” (Bonus points if you added, “And if they don’t, smite them, Lord.”)
You think “servant leadership” is a great concept… for other people. (Like, wow, the church really needs more humble folks—blessed to be their example!)
You’ve ever thought, “I’m not saying I’m always right… but have you noticed how often I am?” (It’s uncanny, really. A gift.)
You believe God gifted you with humility— and honestly, no one does it better than you. (Your humility is next-level. Probably top-tier. If there were an award, you’d accept it humbly.)
You get frustrated when people don’t recognize your obvious leadership skills. (Like, how are they missing this? I mean, Moses had a staff, I have a spreadsheet!)
You secretly enjoy proving people wrong— especially in front of an audience. (You say ‘teachable moment,’ they say ‘public humiliation.’ Tomato, tomahto.)
You’ve ever given someone directions to a place they’ve been before— just because your way is better. (“Oh, you drove that way? That’s cute. Let me tell you how the real professionals get there.”)
You’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, “Wow… God really outdid Himself this time.” (And for just a second, you wonder if angels are applauding somewhere.)
You’re reading this list and thinking of all the other people who need to hear it. (“This is so good. I should send this to my friend.”)
We laugh at these because we see bits of ourselves in them. But what happens when pride isn’t just an occasional thought, but a way of life?
Today, we’re looking at a man who didn’t just struggle with pride—he was completely consumed by it. And God brought him as low as a man can go to get his attention.
Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful man on earth, ruling the greatest empire of his time. And instead of giving glory to God, he took credit for everything. He literally stood on his palace rooftop, looked at Babylon, and said, 'Look what I built!'
But God had a lesson for him. One that involved losing everything—even his sanity—until he realized that God alone is sovereign.
So as we dive into Daniel 4, let’s ask ourselves: What happens when pride goes unchecked? And how can we learn from Nebuchadnezzar’s painful lesson before God has to humble us the hard way?
Context: Setting the Stage
If you have been with us in this journey through Daniel, you should know at least one thing by now. Nebuchadnezzar struggled with pride. Well, to be honest it was not a struggle, the great King gave into it completely.
But this chapter is special because we see God do something miraculous. He did an amazing work in the heart of Nebuchadnezzar. But that work took seven long, humiliating years.
There is something you need to realize as we study this chapter. This chapter is a salvation testimony from Nebuchadnezzar.
Main Idea: Walk in Humility or Else!
Yes, this main idea sounds like a warning because it is. In fact this whole chapter is a cautionary tale to remind us that surrendering our lives to Christ is the true path to peace and contentment. On the contrary walking the path of pride will bring destruction.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Friends, we all walked in pride at some level before our salvation because the pride of sufficiency keeps us thinking we don’t need God.
This was certainly true of Nebuchadnezzar. The startling question is this. What is God willing to do to break us from pride?
In the first part of this passage (and the last part for that matter) I believe the king is giving a testimony of his transformation…
1. Be Humble No Matter How High Your Position in Life (vs. 1-3)
King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! 2 It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. 3 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.
Do you see what I mean?
Nebuchadnezzar is speaking here in these three verses with a tone of humility towards God.
He is writing to all the people under his rule and reign. He wants them all to understand something well. After he wishes them peach in verse 1, He tell them about the God of peace who has accomplished some amazing signs and wonders since the four young jews were taken captive.
Daniel 4 likely happens 30+ years after Daniel first arrived in Babylon.
This means Daniel is now a much older man (probably in his 40s or 50s).
Nebuchadnezzar is nearing the final decade of his reign, and his pride reaches its peak—before God humbles him dramatically.
This long gap is important for understanding Nebuchadnezzar’s pride—despite everything he had seen (Daniel’s wisdom, the fiery furnace miracle, his previous dream), he still refused to humble himself until God forced the issue.
So the king had witnessed the King of kings over a long period of time. And he had seen a lot of things, but nothing moved his heart to conversion. Until what we see in Chapter 4.
Nebuchadnezzar needed to share with his people, and us, what God needed to do to get his attention in a
Argumentation: Proving the Point
The King, through the events we are about to see, truly converted to the King of kings and the Lord of lords whose kingdom has no end.
His pride was now in check and He was properly prepared to share His story on how God got him there!
Illustration: Engaging the Imagination
One of the most striking modern examples of pride leading to a fall is the story of Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks.
Schultz helped turn Starbucks from a small coffee shop into a global empire. At its peak, Starbucks was opening seven new stores per day. Success was skyrocketing. But Schultz later admitted that pride blinded him to warning signs—the company expanded too quickly, customer service declined, and profits plummeted. In 2008, Starbucks lost billions of dollars and had to close 900 stores.
In an interview, Schultz confessed:
"We were growing so fast, and I started to believe we were invincible. The humility that had defined our early success had disappeared."
After stepping back, he realized the need to rebuild the company with humility, listening to employees, simplifying the business, and refocusing on what made Starbucks successful in the first place. He returned as CEO, restructured the company, and led a turnaround that saved Starbucks from collapse.
Like Nebuchadnezzar, Schultz had reached unbelievable heights—but his pride nearly destroyed everything. When leaders forget humility, they begin to think they are untouchable. But God always has a way of humbling those who exalt themselves (Proverbs 16:18).
Whether you’re a CEO, a teacher, a parent, or a student—pride can creep into any position. We must remember:
God is the One who raises up and brings down (Daniel 4:17).
Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself—it’s thinking of yourself less (Philippians 2:3-4).
Let Nebuchadnezzar—and even a modern-day business leader—be a reminder that the higher we rise, the lower we must bow before God.
No matter your position, you can think more highly of yourself than you ought to think.
You must develop a healthy perspective of yourself. A truly humble person will ask those closest to him or her if they are exhibiting characteristics of pride. It is a good friend that tells you when you are acting prideful.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend…
Daniel was a friend to the King - he didn’t listen
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were friends to the king- He refused to hear.
Now God would step in and make it clear who was in charge - The king would finally listen.
Review:
Pride is a dangerous thing—it blinds us to reality, makes us think we’re invincible, and sets us on a course for destruction. God will humble the proud, whether they are kings or ordinary people.
Nebuchadnezzar’s pride was unchecked for decades. Despite witnessing incredible miracles, he refused to humble himself before God. But now, in chapter 4, we hear his personal testimony of how God
But here’s the question: Could Nebuchadnezzar have learned humility without going through humiliation? God always gives warnings before He brings judgment. The king had many chances to listen. But he ignored them all.
This leads us to our next point:
2. Be Humble by Hearing the Word of God (vs. 4-27)
Don’t go to the world for answers only God can give!
Complacency Leads to Crisis (vs. 4-5)
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace. 5 I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me.
Notice that this is a personal testimony. “I, Nebuchadnezzar…” He has transitioned from his current situation and is now testifying about what took place in his life leading up to the transformation God brought into his life.
While he was taking his ease, he had another frightening dream. It freaked out. He was alarmed at what this dream had to say.
Surprisingly, he reached out to the same crew of people that could not interpret his last dream.
It is surprising because one would think he would go to where the answer came from the last time, Daniel’s God. Remember God is the hero of this story! Did the king seriously forget about that?
Making the Same Mistake (vs. 6-7)
6 So I made a decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not make known to me its interpretation.
Again, this account is from the perspective of Nebuchadnezzar. It is his humble, and accurate account of what took place in his life.
He told the same group of men that in chapter 2, he threatened to tear from limb to limb if they couldn’t tell him the dream or its interpretation.
Now he is going back to them and telling them the dream and they still can’t give the proper interpretation.
Listen folks, sometimes we go to the world for answers only God can give.
Make God the first place you go, not the last!
Nebuchadnezzar eventually got back to the source of power, God Himself through His servant, Daniel.
Daniel Steps Up (Again) (vs. 8-9)
8 At last Daniel came in before me—he who was named Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods—and I told him the dream, saying, 9 “O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too difficult for you, tell me the visions of my dream that I saw and their interpretation.
Interestingly the king doesn’t say he sent for Daniel, but Daniel did finally arrive.
Now, I want you to notice this phrase. He says the Daniel’s Babylonian name is “Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods…”
If you look at the footnote at the bottom of your bible your will see this, “Spirit of the holy God”
Considering this is the kings salvation testimony, I think it makes good sense to use this translation.
And by the way, Nebuchadnezzer in the past has declared how his gods are no comparison with Daniel’s God.
Did you notice that the king again asked Daniel for the vision and the interpretation whereas he told the vision to his crew.
At last we get to see the king’s dream that was so troubling him…
The Dream of the King (vs. 10-18)
10 The visions of my head as I lay in bed were these: I saw, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great. 11 The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it. 13 “I saw in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold, a watcher, a holy one, came down from heaven. 14 He proclaimed aloud and said thus: ‘Chop down the tree and lop off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it and the birds from its branches. 15 But leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, amid the tender grass of the field. Let him be wet with the dew of heaven. Let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from a man’s, and let a beast’s mind be given to him; and let seven periods of time pass over him. 17 The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’ 18 This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
Now imagine receiving a vision or a dream like this. How in the world would you know what it means? Yet the dream greatly troubled the king. And as Daniel heard it, It troubled him as well.
Daniel is Dismayed by The Dream
Genuine Concern (v. 19)
19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, “Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies!
I just want to point out something here. I believe Daniel genuinely loved and was concerned for the king.
I wonder if we could somehow develop a simular love and compassion for those leaders God has placed over us. God may not give them a mind of a beast, but if they are not born-again, regardless of their political party, they will spend eternity in Hell. And, my Christian brothers and sisters, we would never wish Hell on anyone.
Daniel doesn’t want this vision to come true for the king. Why? Because he knows what it means…
Unnerving Interpretation (v. 20-26)
20 The tree you saw, which grew and became strong, so that its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth, 21 whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which beasts of the field found shade, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens lived— 22 it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, and your dominion to the ends of the earth. 23 And because the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven periods of time pass over him,’ 24 this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, 25 that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. 26 And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules.
The tree represents Nebuchadnezzar and his vast kingdom (v. 22).
It is in the middle of the earth, symbolizing Babylon’s centrality in the ancient world.
Its height reaching heaven echoes the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:4), symbolizing human arrogance and self-exaltation.
Its fruitfulness indicates prosperity and provision, showing that Nebuchadnezzar’s reign was powerful and beneficial to many.
The birds and beasts taking shelter in it illustrate how many nations and peoples lived under Babylon’s rule(similar to how Jesus uses the image of a tree in Matt. 13:32 for the kingdom of God).
A "watcher" (angelic messenger) delivers the divine decree.
This term appears only in Daniel and suggests angels involved in divine governance.
The decree comes from heaven—this is not just fate, but God’s sovereign judgment.
The tree being chopped down represents Nebuchadnezzar’s downfall and humiliation.
The stump remains, meaning his kingdom will not be permanently destroyed.
The iron and bronze band may symbolize God’s restraint on how far Nebuchadnezzar will fall—it will be temporary.
God limits the judgment to accomplish humility, not annihilation.
Nebuchadnezzar will lose his sanity and live like an animal for seven periods of time (likely seven years).
His prideful, rational mind will be replaced with an irrational, beastly mind.
This punishment is unprecedented—a complete loss of dignity, intelligence, and human identity.
God, not Nebuchadnezzar, rules the nations.
Earthly kings rule only by God’s permission—human power is temporary and given by divine decree.
God can raise up rulers and bring them down as He pleases.
A Call for Repentance (vs. 27)
27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.”
Here is yet another example from Daniel of his boldness and not caring what anyone thinks of him - including the most powerful man in the known worlds at the time.
He knows what is coming for the king and the only way out for Nebuchadnezzar is repentance. Yes, repentance.
Look again at the text. This time from the NLT.
27 “ ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.’
Turn away from your sin! Seek righteousness. Don’t live the way you have been living. Turn to the true and righteous king, or else!
Daniel cared enough for the king that he warned him of the impending judgment he faced.
Do you care enough for those around you that they too are facing a judgment that will last for all eternity? Do you care enough about their eternal soul to share the glorious, life-giving gospel with them?
God gave Daniel a glimpse of what was coming and it shook and motivated him to call the king to repentance.
You too know what is coming for those who are not followers of Christ. You too know there is an impending judgement. You too must call those in your circle of influence to repentance. Not because you are mad at them an wish they would stop sinning, but because you love them and you do not want them to face an eternity separated from God and all those that they love.
God spoke to Nebuchadnezzar through the agency of a dream and an interpreter. Essentially through God’s word.
God speaks to you through the agency of His word.
Did the king listen and obey God?
Do you listen to God and obey him?
When you do it is an act of humility.
Humility: The Beauty of Holiness. Chapter 10
"He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death. Learn of Christ how He is meek and lowly in heart. He teaches us where true humility takes its proper place—as we bow before God in deep humility, yielding to His will and making that will our own." - Andrew Murray
To be Christlike you must walk in the humility of Christ.
23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
How do we know what the humility of Christ is? We see it clearly in the revealed Word of God.
Christ’s character is revealed in His Word. As His followers we not only should desire his character, we must ask God, through the power of His Holy Spirit, to conform us to Christ’s image.
Review: Recap the Point
ABC - We must be a people who walk in humility. There is no other option for true followers of Christ.
In fact, if we do not walk in humility, there could be a great price to pay.
And that price is simple…
3. Be Humble or God Will Humble You (vs. 28-34)
The King’s Heart of Pride (vs. 28-30)
28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”
So apparently twelve months has passed by and Nebuchadnezzar had forgotten about the ramifications of the dream he had.
And as he parades around the rooftop of his royal palace he did something no one should ever do - something he was warned about! He pridefully took credit for everything he had created. And he had created some pretty amazing things.
Did you know that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were built alongside a grand palace known as The Marvel of Mankind, by the BabylonianKing Nebuchadnezzar II
(who ruled between 605 and 562 BC), for his Median wife,
Queen Amytis, because she missed the green hills and valleys of her homeland. These gardens were considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World!
So, Nebuchadnezzar was an impressive guy, but you have to understand this clearly. If it were not for God, Nebuchadnezzar with have accomplished nothing! Nothing at all!
Because he took all the credit, God fulfilled his promise of Judgement on him…
God’s Judgment Fulfilled (v. 31-33)
What a judgment it was. Talk about humbling!
31 While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, 32 and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” 33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws.
God took the brilliant mind away from this king and made him a blathering idiot. I mean the transformation was instantaneous and shocking to say the least.
When you think about that our God is capable of doing this kind of thing in an instant, what does this do to your perspective of God.
What should happen is God gets really big and powerful in your mind and you start to have a healthy respect for a God who is more than capable for doing whatever he wants!
And remember this about our God. These things don’t just happen because He is capricious and nasty. No way, he is two things. Patient and purposed.
Patient - he waited a long time before this judgment came upon the king.
Purposed - this judgment was designed to finally humble the King so Daniel’s God would become His God as well.
God wanted to reach the heart of the king. But the king’s heart was full of the king and there was no room for the King of the universe.
Nothing like a little supernatural humiliation to get his attention and his heart!
Do you really want God to humble you like this? Are you waiting for God to break you down before you acknowledge Him? Because make no mistake—He will humble you. But today, you have a choice.
The Restoration After Repentance (v. 34-37)
34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; 35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” 36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
After seven long years of eating grass like a cow and having hair and nails like an eagle, Nebuchadnezzar was set free from his prison of foolishness and he now could think clearly.
And do you know what his clear thinking revealed to him? Something profoundly simple. In fact it is astonishing to me that it took seven years!
Here is the simple truth that the king finally understood.
God is in charge of everything and everyone.
God humbled this great king so he could realize that the Sovereign King of EVERYTHING was even in charge of his little life.
The fact that God only took away his mind for seven years was a profound act of grace considering what He could have done to Nebuchadnezzar!
The good news? When Nebuchadnezzar lifted his eyes to heaven—God restored him. Our God is not just powerful enough to humble us; He is powerful enough to heal us when we repent.
“If men will not recognize God and His supremacy, He will teach them by bitter experience that He is the Lord of all.”— A.W. Pink, The Sovereignty of God, p. 145
Are you wrestling with pride? How do you know?
Here are three ways to tell if pride is a heart issue in your own life:
You resist correction or criticism.
If you find yourself getting defensive, making excuses, or dismissing feedback instead of listening and evaluating it, pride may be at work. A humble heart is teachable, but a prideful heart rejects accountability.
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
You compare yourself to others instead of to Christ.
If you measure your worth, success, or righteousness by how you stack up against other people rather than by God's standard, pride is influencing your perspective.
12 Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
You struggle to acknowledge dependence on God.
If you find it hard to pray, confess sin, or seek God’s guidance because you feel self-sufficient, it’s a sign that pride is keeping you from recognizing your need for Him.
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Here is the application for you, if you are giving into pride in your life.
Are you ready?
Repent of it. Nebuchadnezzar was given warning after warning that he ignored. Perhaps today is a warning for you that you dare not ignore. Repent today!
Review: Recap the Point
We must walk in humility, friends.
Because if we don’t, God’s love an holiness compels him to humble you so you can receive him.
Conclusion
Friends, we must walk in humility, because God will do whatever it takes to bring us low if we refuse.
Nebuchadnezzar was given a full year to repent. Maybe God is giving you a warning today. Will you ignore it like he did? Or will you humble yourself before God now?
For the believer: Ask God today to reveal areas of pride in your life.
For the unbeliever: God used seven years of insanity to get Nebuchadnezzar’s attention—what will it take for God to get yours? Repent now before it’s too late.
“C.S. Lewis once wrote: ‘A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.’ Nebuchadnezzar spent years looking down on everyone—until God forced him to look up. Let’s not wait for God to humble us before we lift our eyes to Him.”
