Overcoming Pride

Introduction

In our study of Proverbs we are discovering how to Make Wise Choices. In this series we are learning how to Develop a Wise Heart and Mind. Last time we saw that we need to employ Biblical Mind Control – starting taking over our thoughts. This week we’ll look at the critical area of pride. You cannot make wise choices out of pride; and you cannot develop a wise heart and mind out of pride.

Did you hear about the clever salesman who closed hundreds of sales with this line: "Let me show you something several of your neighbors said you couldn't afford.

Proverbs 21:4 KJV

4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

1. THE PROBLEM WITH PRIDE

Pride brings a whole slew of problems. We’re going to look at various verses in Proverbs and some other locations.

A. Pride is Sinful

Proverbs 21:4 KJV

4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

Here we see a couple descriptions of pride – 1) an high look 2) a proud heart – even their success leads to sin.

Pride esteems myself better than others.

Pride vs. Confidence.

Pride refers to the satisfaction that an individual gains of one’s abilities and achievements.

Confidence, on the other hand, refers to the trust that someone has about something. A significant difference between the two stem from the quality of humility. I can have confidence in my ability to do something, but humble enough to recognize that that ability comes from God.

Such an individual is usually engrossed in himself and pays less attention to others. Also, the individual begins to reject any advice from others, thinking that he is better than them. Even the slightest form of criticism is sufficient to create antagonistic feelings in the person towards those who direct constructive criticism. A proud person rarely acknowledges his flaws and often tends to blame others.

A proud person believes that he is capable of anything, but a confident person is aware of his flaws. A proud person rejects criticism and advice whereas a confident person uses them for his growth.

B. Pride Incurs God’s Wrath

He hates pride.

Proverbs 6:16–17 KJV

16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Proverbs 8:13 KJV

13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Pride is the only disease that makes everyone sick but the one who has it.

Pride or haughtiness is an abomination, because it implies— 1. Self-ignorance. 2. Unkindness. 3. Irreverence.

C. Pride is Produces Harmful Attitudes

1) Turning Away from God.

Proverbs 30:8–9 KJV

8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Prayer for 2 things: 1) to be kept free of deceit (8a) and to receive daily provisions (8c). An excess (9ab) might fill him with an arrogance that would make him denigrate God and even push him to theft; which may cause him to lie and profane God’s name. He is concerned with the result of such arrogance – insulting God.

2) Foolish Speech and Actions

A young woman asked for an appointment with her pastor to talk with him about a besetting sin about which she was worried. When she saw him, she said, "Pastor, I have become aware of a sin in my life which I cannot control. Every time I am at church I begin to look around at the other women, and I realize that I am the prettiest one in the whole congregation. None of the others can compare with my beauty. What can I do about this sin?"

The pastor replied, "Dear, that's not a sin, why that's just a mistake!"

Proverbs 13:10 KJV

10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Pride brings contention – strife. Show me a proud man and I’ll show you contention. Show me contention and fighting – I’ll show you a proud man.

Proverbs 14:3 KJV

3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

Pride is the rod with which he uses words to smite others.

Apply this sentence to haughty preachers, who are anxious to appear superior to other people, and study more to chide and reprove than to encourage; "they know how to smite sharply, but not to sympathize with humility." Septuagint, "From the mouth of fools cometh a staff of insolence."

Proverbs 28:25–26 KJV

25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. 26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

This proud man actually provokes conflict – causes trouble.

3) Arrogance and Rebellion

Proverbs 30:11–14 KJV

11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. 12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. 13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up. 14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

We see some characteristics of this generation – contempt of parents, self-righteous, arrogant, ravenous.

We see in this section that Pride produces harmful attitudes - turning away from God, foolish speech and actions, and arrogance/rebellion.

D. Pride Brings Ruin

1) Embarrassment and Shame

Proverbs 29:23 KJV

23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Proverbs 11:2 KJV

2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

11:2 – the proud attitude will only bring someone to shame.

During the Battle of the Wilderness in the Civil War, Union general John Sedgwick was inspecting his troops. At one point he came to a parapet, over which he gazed out in the direction of the enemy. His officers suggested that this was unwise and perhaps he ought to duck while passing the parapet. "Nonsense," snapped the general. "They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist--." A moment later Sedgwick fell to the ground, fatally wounded.

2) Defeat and Destruction.

Proverbs 18:12 KJV

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

overconfidence in one’s own powers begets arrogance.

Proverbs 26:12 KJV

12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

here we see the foolishness of self-conceit – self-infatuation is the attitude of the stupid. Wise in his own conceit = in his own eyes.

The folly of self-conceit

The Scriptures are full of denunciations against the self-sufficiency of man. The writings of Solomon are conspicuous for expressions which stigmatize the absurdity and the guilt of a self-willed, self-sufficient spirit.

The feeling of self-sufficiency is strengthened by the habit of comparing ourselves with low and imperfect characters, and by fixing ourselves in the centre of a very contracted circle. (C. W. Le Bas, M. A.)

Proverbs 16:18 KJV

18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Pride is very contentious, and makes a man enemies. Pride makes men over-confident in their own efficiency. Vanity runs men into error and mistakes.

The ruin of pride is seen in embarrassment and shame and defeat and destruction.

2. OVERCOMING PRIDE

This isn’t the Bible college way to structure a sermon, but point 2 is really the conclusion and application.

A. Don’t Overestimate Yourself

Proverbs 3:7 KJV

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Be not wise in thine own eyes.

Proverbs 27:1 KJV

1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

don’t boast of future achievements – don’t be confident in prosperity. This is the stupidity of listening to politicians during campaign time. This is trusting in one’s own power rather than Gods.

B. Don’t Praise Yourself

George Gordon Liddy, Watergate conspirator when he was released from prison said: "I have found within myself all I need and all I ever shall need. I am a man of great faith, but my faith is in George Gordon Liddy. I have never failed me."

Proverbs 27:2 KJV

2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

modesty is a moral virtue.

Self-boasting is always a source of weakness as well as a revelation of vanity. In vanity there is no substance; it is idle breath, it is foolish vapour. When a man is left to praise himself it is evident that he has lived an inverted life, not a life full of blessedness and comfort in relation to other men.

The sun does not praise himself, but under his splendour and warmth men look up and say how pleasing a thing it is for the eyes to behold the light. (J. Parker, D.D.)

C. Don’t Become Proud When Commended

Proverbs 27:21 KJV

21 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Proverbs 27:21

Silver and gold are tried by putting them into the furnace and fining-pot; so is man tried by praising him

people tend to praise in others what they value in themselves. Popularity is a real test of character – a true man will shrink from applause

Praise to a righteous man is a fiery trial, where he needs humility and sober thoughts. Praise bestowed on the ungodly man renders him vain, self-confident, and self-conceited.

D. Repent of Pride and Be Done With it

Proverbs 30:32 KJV

32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.

Pride is a terrible sin – it’s the original sin – the devil was lifted up in pride in Isaiah 14.