(1 Peter 5:5-7) The Ugliness of Pride

INTRODUCTION:

Families often have inside stories that are just hilarious.

ILLUSTRATION:

One story in my family would be,

The first time I took my wife out on a date,

it was in many ways a wonderful disaster.

Wonderful because we laugh about it now.

A disaster because anything that could go wrong did go wrong.

On our first date, we went kayaking with some friends out on the N. Shore of Oahu.

Now if you knew me before I meet my wife,

Hiking, Kayaking was a mainstay of what I did on Saturdays.

And so just one example of how our date was a disaster was in trying to launch the kayak.

You see, I go to launch our two-person kayak and I can’t get us out.

I have done this hundreds of time by myself, but the way the current was breaking that day I couldn’t get us off the beach.

So I push the kayak a little bit father, and try again, only to dump my date out of it and into the water.

So she gets up with great patience and we try again.

.

I time the wave, jump into the kayak, and dump her again.

She gave me 3 tries before she took over. And says, I am doing it this time.

She times the wave, jumps into the kayak, and dumps me out.

As we laugh at our inability to get off this beach.

I told her; Pride goes before the fall, a quote from .

On one hand, that is a funny story.

Yet on the other hand it is an example of much pride embeds our everyday lives and thinking.

In this case, our pride was harmless. In fact laughable now.

Yet, as life continues;

Is this not an example of how pride disrupts our marriages, families, and friendships?

Our Pride makes us think we are better equipped than others or to superior to dirty our hands and be humble servants of one another.

- And so pride becomes the sin issue that leads to bitterness, anger, and confrontation.

- The sin issue that prevents us from truly being a people who love and sacrifice in mercy and grace; like our example - Jesus Christ.

As we consider, the book of Proverbs - How much does it have to say about the foolishness and sinfulness of Pride.

Just to name a handful, Proverbs tells us God hates pride.

Proverbs 8:13 ESV

The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

Proverbs 26:12 ESV

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Pro

In fact, It is pride that makes unbelievers Scoff at God according to .

Psalm 10:4 ESV

In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

We ought to be very mindful of the sin of pride, As we consider that judgement fell upon King Nebuchadnezzar when he displayed the pride of his heart.

Daniel 5:20 ESV

But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him.

Daniel 5:

In fact, Pride is such an important issue

Just one example,

Jerry Bridges

In other words, they are the sins we neglect because in our pride we think we are righteous before God. Thus, our pride blinds us from allowing the Gospel to fully change our lives.

Bridges, Jerry. Sins We Accept (Kindle Locations 105-108). NavPress. Kindle Edition.

“Take a few moments to ponder those words so as to get the full impact of them. Those words describe not just the scandalous sins of society but also the respectable sins we tolerate in our own lives. Think of such tolerated sins as impatience, pride, resentment, frustration, and self-pity. Do they seem odious and pernicious to you? They really are. To tolerate those sins in our spiritual lives is as dangerous as to tolerate cancer in our bodies.”

Bridges, Jerry. Sins We Accept (Kindle Locations 105-108). NavPress. Kindle Edition.

May I say this

To ignore the sin of pride is to blind our hearts from God’s transformative power.

Pride is not a sin to ignore

To ignore the sin of pride is to allow ourselves to slowly

Peter challenges us to be humble, and not proud.

Notice our text.

1 Peter 5:5–7 ESV

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

According to Peter,

Proposition: We ought to practice humility

TRANSITIONAL STATEMENT: and this text gives us 3 ways we ought to practice humility.

The first way, we ought to be

1. Humble Towards Pastors. ()

We must remember

When we consider this paragraph as a whole, v. 5 is a dividing line.

challenges Pastor’s to live faithfully.

And in fact, in terms of pride they are cautioned against the natural temptation to be domineering;

but instead Shepherd as examples to the flock.

specifically challenges every believer to live faithfully.

And part of that faithful living is subjecting ourselves to Pastor’s.

1 Peter 5:5 ESV

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

I recognize this says younger, but that term is being used simply to communicate that elders are normally to be the mature believers of the congregation.

The word “subjecting” is not a new term to us in this epistle.

Same word used in: Government-1 Peter 2:13; Salves-1 Peter 2:18; Wives-1 Peter 3:1

In the same way citizens, slaves, and wives are to subject themselves; likewise we are told to subject ourselves to the elders or Pastors God has placed over us.

In the same way citizens, slaves, and wives are to subject themselves; likewise we are told to subject ourselves to the elders or Pastors God has placed over us.

Notice the balancing parallel of this passage.

The major sin that Elders are tempted with is to abuse their authority as Church Dictators.

May us Pastor’s Shepherd people; not Lord over people.

But what is the major temptation of believers who are under the authority of the Pastor.

To rebel and disregard their council. To finds way to undermine the authority of the Elder.

May I suggest,

this text teaches us that it is equally wrong to reject authority as it is to abuse authority.

And if we are as a congregation going to serve in a God pleasing way;

then I will be careful not to be domineering and you will be careful to avoid resisting Pastoral authority.

I will purpose to shepherd the flock under the great shepherd and you will purpose to place your self under the care of the shepherd.

When we looked at we focused on what it means for the Pastor to shepherd the Flock.

May we consider today, what it means for a church to subject themselves to Elders.

Subjecting means in humility you place yourself under the watch-care of the Pastor.

Just like citizens are to place themselves under the authority and care of the government.

Slaves are to place themselves under the authority and care of theirs Masters.

and Wives are to place themselves under the authority and care of the husbands.

Which implies that :

a. Pastor’s Have the Authority to Speak to your lives.

CAVEAT: Now I recognize there is a way to do this that is shepherding and there is way that is prideful dictatorship.

But just because a Pastor can be sinful; does negate that God commands believers to subject themselves to a Pastor.

But just because a Pastor can be sinful; does negate that God commands believers to subject themselves to a Pastor.

Let’s compare authorities - If the government is sinful does that mean I don’t have to subject myself to it’s authority. boldly declares no.

1 Peter 2:17 ESV

Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

So if we are not allowed to treat sinful unbelieving governments that way - why do we treat Pastor’s that way?

Obviously, if a Pastor gives sinful advice; you are to obey the Great shepherd more than a local Pastor.

But if a Pastor encourages you to obedience or faithfulness, supported with the teachings of Scripture; may I suggest you ought to listen and heed to it because he is exercising the God ordained authority that he established in the church, partly based on this verse.

ILLUSTRATION:

If you talk with many Pastor’s

Which means, a -

b. Pastor’s Biblical Counsel is not a Recommendation.

CAVEAT: Now that is a bold statement. So let me clarify.

A Pastor’s authority is not unlimited.

I have no authority to tell you what color paint to paint your house. - I am colored blind; so hopefully that is not in my job description.

I have no authority to imprison or legally judge criminals. That is the governments job. I would rightfully go to prison for that.

But a Pastor does have authority to speak to Spiritual matters in your life.

If believers are called to speak Scriptural truth into each others lives according to - then should we treat the Pastor’s Biblical counsel as just another advice column?

If anything, they should great weight because they are one of the mature elders of the congregation.

ILLUSTRATION:

One of the hardships a Pastor endures is when Spiritually needy people ignore the Scripturally supported counsel they give.

In those cases, your heart aches because you have the truth those people need, but the they reject it.

Your heart aches because you want this Biblical change more than they want it.

Ask any Pastor worth his weight; and they will be able to name people who ignored their council to their own destruction.

So what does humility have to do with this?

What prevents someone from listening to advice? Pride.

What prevents someone from seeking help? Pride.

Why does someone reject a Pastor’s council? Many times, Prideful thinking that they know better.

So before you reject a Pastor’s Biblical council in area he has authority over; you better examine you heart and have Scriptural basis to reject it. It is not a recommendation.

ILLUSTRATION: I remember one person I counseled quit because I gave them an article that talked about the idols of the heart. That person could not fathom that there struggle had anything to do with Idolatry.

Yet, may I say makes it very clear we all have Idolatry in our heart.

But their pride, caused them to reject the truth that I was pointing to in Scripture.

CAVEAT: Again, Pastor’s are not perfect. Pastor’s can act in sin. It would be sadly embarrassing if we made a list of unbiblical statements Pastor’s have made.

But also recognize, that our flesh can cause pride to flourish. And that pride can lead us to reject good Biblical council.

May we humbly approach Pastor’s placing ourselves under their watch-care.

This Passage also commands us to be

2. Humble Towards Others. ()

1 Peter 5:5 ESV

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

This passage

We are told to treat one another with humility - because God opposes pride and rewards humility.

How do we act arrogantly in our relationships?

What

A. Often Arrogant People are Haughty.

We display our pride in haughtiness.

1) To often we are haughty because: We believe we are Superior to others.

We are prideful

1) We believe we are Superior to others.

a. So we don’t serve others, because we are to important to be bothered with

because we are to important to be bothered with

the people’s struggles - I don’t have time to hear about Bob’s issues again.

the burdens of facilitating church events such as sweeping floors and organizing meals.

the planning of the church.

OR

b. Boasting in our confidence.

b. We boast about our Spirituality, our possessions, our skills - because we believe we are better than others.

We would never say it that way, but that is what is driving our heart.

2. Another way we show haughtiness is in our self-confidence

2) self-confidence

a. We Ignore the Spiritual Encouragement and warning of others because we Got it all together.

Others may have fallen into sin, but I don’t need to heed warnings because I can handle it.

It amazes me how often people sin in the very way our major Bible characters sinned - Moses, Samson, Joshua.

Why - Because we think we have it all together.

OR

b. in our self-confidence; We lack compassion for people struggling with sin.

We treat sinning people like their morons for sinning

forgetting that we are just as capable of sin as they are and just as responsible fro Christ dieing on the cross as the wrost of sinners.

We also display pride:

B. By Selfishness.

We display our selfish arrogance when we:

1) Demand our own way.

Why do we not Prefer One Another and the needs of others above our own? Because of Pride.

Why I am willing to sin to get what I want? Sinful selfish pride.

OR

We display pride:

2) When we do not endure the sin of others.

In selfish pride, How dare they do this to me?

Who des he think he is?

OR

We display pride

3) By Not Participating in the church.

Why do I neglect membership? Selfish Pride, leaving to others.

Why do I leave to others to do the work of the church? Selfish Pride, leaving it to others.

Why do I not give input? Selfish Pride, leaving to others.

So the Point - we all need to humble ourselves in our relationship with others.

We each struggle with pride in our relationships.

I have listed a number of ways we have failed to humble ourselves as believers.

How do we humble ourselves in our personal one another relationships?

Through the Gospel,

- We cleanse our sinful actions with humility.

- We cleanse our hearts of sinful motives and replace it with humility.

- And we chiefly do this through prayer, renewing of our mind, and serving and enduring one another.

That is what it means to clothe ourselves with humility towards one another.

So we ought to have humility towards Pastors, towards others, and finally,

3. Humble Towards God. ()

1 Peter 5:6–7 ESV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

As we consider the struggle of humility towards Pastors and one another, we can rationalize our sin because Pastors and others can often be illogical, sinful, prideful people.

But we really begin to understand that we have pride problem when we realize that we often approach God in arrogance.

It is one thing to be arrogant towards finite sinners;

It is one thing to be arrogant towards finite sinners;

It is another thing to be arrogant towards the Holy Creator of this World.

Essentially,

Peter commands us to humble ourselves and place ourselves under God, the Father of this World.

And in this passage, he gives us to ways we fail to humble ourselves under God.

a. By Self-Exaltation.

ILLUSTRATION:

It is amazing what people will do to be able to be the head honcho.

Sometimes - it is in the church - where I demand to be a deacon, or a Sunday School Teacher, or a custodian.

And often while that person is pridefully unwilling to serve in other more needed capacities of the church.

But it is not just in the church. It is in our work places and community clubs.

ILLUSTRATION:

One of the things I hated about the Navy was how cut throat it was to advance.

There many people who would slander their fellow comrades just to look better in front of leadership.

Leaders who would blame others to help them get to the next rank.

People who would steal bullet points to help their evaluations.

Nothing irritated me more, then when people would use that position to place everyone else on egg shells; so they would stand out as the know it all.

Nothing irritated me more, then when people would use that position to place everyone else on egg shells; so they would stand out as the know it all.

But as a Christian do we need to go out of our way to exalt ourselves in unbiblical ways?

The answer is no. Whether we are in church, or the work place, … our greatest need is to place ourselves under God.

You see, God rules this world and God loves his people.

And when those are both true - What is the greatest advancement decision you could make?

To place yourself under God.

We also fail to humble ourselves towards God by

b. Lacking God-Dependence.

Doesn’t v. 6 and 7 seem out of place?

1 Peter 5:6–7 ESV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

What does anxiety have to do with pride?

May I say everything.

Why does someone exalt themselves? They believe they have to pull themselves up by the boot straps to make it in this world.

And so they are driven to hard work, not because of faithfulness,

but because they are being driven by a sinful fear of failure. I don’t want to suffer.

Or instead perhaps a sinful desire of greed. I want more.

Is that not failing to cast your anxieties upon God?

and is that not pride? “ I have to do this”

This is our natural reaction - to be self-dependent trusting in my own wisdom and strength.

ILLUSTRATION:

Instead, we should trust God, casting your care and fear to God.

The Picture here is throwing something away.

I am currently reading through the Narnia series with my kids.

And in this story we find out that the lion chasing a boy on a horse was in fact Alsan - the Character meant to depict God.

ILLUSTRATION:

Imagine this.

You wake up camping.

You see

You step outside and go to slip on your boot, but notice something moved in your boot.

So you look.

And to your surprise,

You are looking at rattle snake.

What is your natural reaction?

All of a sudden you are like an Olympic shot putter - and you cast that boot as far away as you can.

That is exactly what is being described here.

“Cast your fear and anxiety to God”

And why?

Because you know he cares for you.

God is the Father who sent his son to die for you - what greater proof of God’s love do you need?

If God gave you his son; what need do you have that he will not provide for you?

Thus,

don’t exalt yourself.

And

don’t fear.

Instead, humble yourself, knowing you can’t do it on your own; but that God who loves you will meet your needs.

Place yourself under the care of God.

CONCLUSION:

As we consider this text,

I hope it challenged you to purify your heart of pride and instead seek humility.

That is we practice humility:

Towards Pastors.

Towards Others.

Towards God.

Perhaps you have never considered yourself a prideful person. But I honestly hope that you have recognized some ways you are prideful and arrogant.

Jerry Bridges names pride as one of the respectable sins.

When we cons

Jerry Bridges names pride as one of the respectable sins.

In other words, they are the sins we neglect because in our pride we think we are righteous before God.

Thus, our pride blinds us from allowing the Gospel to fully change our lives.

Bridges, Jerry. Sins We Accept (Kindle Locations 105-108). NavPress. Kindle Edition.

“Take a few moments to ponder those words so as to get the full impact of them. Those words describe not just the scandalous sins of society but also the respectable sins we tolerate in our own lives. Think of such tolerated sins as impatience, pride, resentment, frustration, and self-pity. Do they seem odious and pernicious to you? They really are. To tolerate those sins in our spiritual lives is as dangerous as to tolerate cancer in our bodies.”

So as I consider this text,

I hope each one of us can recognize that we have prideful tendencies - that can blind us, corrupt us, and destroy us.

But by God’s grace through the Gospel, his Word, and his Church - we can become the humble people God called us too be.