Let Us Put Away Pride Series

Let’s Put away our Pride

Pali, this bull has killed me." So said Jose Cubero, one of Spain’s most brilliant matadors, before he lost consciousness and died.

Only 21 years old, he had been enjoying a spectacular career. However, in this l958 bullfight, Jose made a tragic mistake. He thrust his sword a final time into a bleeding, delirious bull, which then collapsed. Considering the struggle finished, Jose turned to the crowd to acknowledge the applause. The bull, however, was not dead. It rose and lunged at the unsuspecting matador, its horn piercing his back and puncturing his heart.

Just when we think we’ve finished off pride, just when we turn to accept the congratulations of the crowd, pride stabs us in the back. We should never consider pride dead before we are. Craig Brian Larson.

[20] And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. [21] For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, [22] Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: Mark 7:20-22

Pride is self-exaltation, conceit, arrogance, haughtiness, putting oneself above others, looking down upon others, scorn, contempt.

Pride can be hidden in our heart as well as openly displayed. God resists the proud.

“Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits” (Romans 12:16).

“And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know” (1 Cor. 8:2).

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:16).

“The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined” (Psalm 10:2).

Why are we called to put away pride?

Because God tells us that HE resists the proud.

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:6

Grace is the favor and blessings of God.

When we face temptation or do wrong, God meets our need: strength, wisdom, power, perseverance, patience, forgiveness.

In fact, we see in this verse God gives more grace, that is, grace upon grace, grace and more grace.

But not every believer and not every person receives God’s grace.

Meeting our need is not automatic, not everyone’s needs are met.

In fact, God’s word tells us the very opposite is true.

If a person is proud—if he is stiff necked, haughty, and rebellious against God—God resists that person.

God desires to pour His grace out upon us, but if we harden and rebel against God and continue to live in sin, God has no choice. God is shut out of the person’s life; so for a season at least, grace is rejected.

God can do nothing for the person.

God has to resist the person. He has to consider the person...

· a rebel

· a curser

· an antagonist

· a traitor

· an enemy

· a sinner

God stands against the sinner and the evil in their lives.

God must oppose and resist and will eventually put them to shame, so that they may submit…

But if we humble ourselves…God gives grace and more grace to the humble.

God will look after and care for us just like a child—loving, nourishing, nurturing, feeding, clothing, sheltering, protecting, and giving more and more life to us forever and ever.

“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14:11).

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6).

“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).

“Though the lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly, but the proud he knoweth afar off” (Psalm 138:6).

Ok then, what shall we put on in place of Pride?

Humility: be subject to one another and clothed with humility.

“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).

Not only are we to be subject to our ministers, but to subject ourselves to one another.

The word all means every one of us, all ages, sexes, and classes, no person is exempt.