Pride and Humility in Proverbs Pride is the

Pride and Humility in Proverbs

“Pride is the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the one who has it”

“The real issue is here is not if pride exists in your heart; it is where pride exists and how pride is expressed in your life. Scripture shows us that pride is strongly and dangerously rooted in all our lives, far more than most of us care to admit or even think about. ” (CJ Mahaney)

“At every stage of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend. ” (John Stott)

God hates pride

Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. Proverbs 3: 34

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes… Proverbs 6: 16 -17 a

The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. Proverbs 8: 13

Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord. . . Proverbs 16: 5

The Dangers of Pride

When pride comes then comes disgrace. . . Proverbs 11: 2

By insolence comes nothing but strife… Proverbs 13: 10

Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16: 18

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 26: 12

Signs of Pride

• Lack of prayer • A spirit of entitlement • An ungrateful heart • Bent toward being a people-pleaser • Talking more about yourself rather than listening to others • Using others rather than serving them • Defensive when confronted or corrected • Easily hurt if your opinions are not accepted when decisions are made • A judgmental or critical spirit • Rebellious heart unwilling to submit to the Lord

Humility

“Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness. ” (CJ Mahaney)

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people— robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get. ’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner. ’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. ”

Benefits of Humility

To the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. Proverbs 3: 34

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. ” James 4: 6

Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. ” 1 Peter 5: 5

When pride comes then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11: 2

By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. Proverbs 13: 10

It is better to be of lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. Proverbs 16: 19

The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22: 4

Signs of Humility

• Still amazed by God’s grace • Desperately dependent on God • A thankful heart • Focused on serving others first • Teachable • Willingly accepts correction • Seeks others for counsel/advice • Willingly confesses sin to God and to others • Submits to the Lord and his Word

How to weaken pride and cultivate humility

1. Continually reflect on the wonder of the cross of Christ and his amazing grace. 2. Begin each day by acknowledging your dependence upon God and your need for God. 3. Start each day expressing thanksgiving to God. 4. Spend time daily in the Word and prayer. 5. Remind yourself of the dangers of pride and the rewards for humility from Proverbs. 6. Reflect on and pray through passages like Philippians 2: 3 -4 and 1 Peter 5: 5 -7 asking God for humility. 7. End your day with thanksgiving to God for who he is and what he had done for you today.

5 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. 7 Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, 8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.

9 For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth— 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.