Untitled Sermon (8)

Conquering Pride

A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you're looking down, you can't see something that's above you. -C. S. Lewis

James 4:6 ESV

6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

-C. S. Lewis

Last week I spoke on Conquering Fear, this wee the sermon is Conquering Pride. You would think that the two would be mutually exclusive, that is that they would have nothing to do with one another, but as we will find out today, some of the most prideful people are the most fearful people, and Fear will put on the armor of pride when insecurities are close to being exposed and leads to a life of self reliance.

Say that again

Sometimes the most prideful people are the most fearful people, and a spirit of fear will clothe itself with the armour of Pride when insecurities are close to being exposed, and this always leads to a life of self reliance

Pride is Found in Many Different Places

The thing about pride is you can’t squeeze it into a certain mold. You can’t through it in with the upper class, I’ve seen some extremely humble rich people, and I used to work with the Homeless in Dallas and some of the most prideful people I have ever met on the face of the planet were homeless. In fact I would go as far to say for the ones that I am speaking about, the cause of their homelessness was because of pride. When a person gets to a place where they can no longer learn anything from anyone else, its not brilliance that is plaguing them, it is independence, it is pride

Introduction

There is pride inside the church and outside. Pride is easily recognized in others but seldom identified in ourselves. But there is nothing more damaging to a family, to relationships, to a church body more than pride. Pride can cloak itself in many different forms. Pride can look like prudence, pride can look like wisdom, pride can even look like humility, as strange as that sounds.

But when pride masks itself to look like prudence its usually abiding more time so it can control, when Pride looks like Wisdom it is a demonic wisdom, and when it looks like humility it is a false humility to manipulate or redirect someone.....

James 3:13–18 ESV

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3:13

Here James gives us a formula for a disorderly, chaotic life. It is grounded in a sort of wisdom, but it is not God’s wisdom

This can work its way into marriages- it works its way into relations- But those those are the bitter fruits, the root is pride has worked its way into your heart.... Bitter jealousy- I think tis can show up in a variety of ways

Temper gets you into trouble. Pride keeps you there.

Pride is the mask of one's own faults.

Pride is the mask of one's own faults. It is

James 4:6 ESV

6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Many times Fear will act like Pride - your insecurities will cause a self reliance.

Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive A. Devilish Wisdom

devilish wisdom—that causes envy. It causes strife. It causes confusion. Every church has people who have this kind of wisdom. I’ve seen them in every church I’ve pastored. These are people who are wise to do evil. Many times they’re theologians. They can split a theological hair into sixteen equal sections. They know all of the Greek. They know all of the Hebrew. But, they don’t know God. They are wise, but they are wise to do evil, and they cause all kinds of problems in the churches

“Disorder”--to rise up in open defiance of authority, with the presumed intention to overthrow it or to act in complete opposition to its demands—‘to rebel against, to revolt, to engage in insurrection, rebellion

“Disorder”--to rise up in open defiance of authority, with the presumed intention to overthrow it or to act in complete opposition to its demands—‘to rebel against, to revolt, to engage in insurrection, rebellion

Pride blocks the truth.    

James 4:6 ESV

6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Pride does not allow us to address the true condition of our heart.

Pride produces unbelief, distrust, and obstinacy.  

The stronghold of Pride breaks with the confession of the truth, repentance for dishonesty and resistance to God, and humility

Religious Pride- There is another spirit that one can recieve that imitates the holy Spirit. It is a Religious Spirit.... How does this Spirit operate. Well God speaks, but so can demons. A religious spirit is self Righteous instaed of righteous because of the Blood

   Remedies for Pride

– And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free

truth shall make you free

– the Spirit of truth, who the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor

knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells

with you and will be in you.

The Tree of Life is the Tree of Righteousness (Jesus)

– He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper.

– But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.