Prayer and Pride

Luke 18 1-14

Luke 18:1–14 (KJV 1900)

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke 18:3 (BBC): unrighteous judge who was ordinarily quite unmoved by fear of God or regard for his fellow man.

There was also a widow who was being oppressed by some unnamed adversary. This widow came to the judge persistently, asking him for justice, so that she might be delivered from his inhumane treatment.

Her importunity and persistence brought a decision in her favor.

Luke 18:7 (BBC): how much more will the just God intervene in behalf of His own elect, or his Chosen

Luke 18:8 (BBC): each of us should be stimulated to the kind of faith that cries to God night and day.

Luke 18:9–12 (BBC): His frequent repetition of the personal pronoun I reveals the true state of his heart as conceited and self-sufficient.

Luke 18:13–14 (BBC): but as the sinner who was unworthy of anything from God.

18:14 The Lord Jesus reminded His hearers that it is this spirit of self-humiliation and repentance that is acceptable to God.