Humble Hearts, Healing Nation Series

### ** Introduction **

Video Ill.: Danger of Pride — Church Fuel

Pride and politics are a dangerous combination. Pride and arrogance have devastating consequences in politics and in real life: isolation, separation, division.

### **Illustration: The Downfall of Richard Nixon**

•    "All the President's Men" by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, the two journalists who broke the Watergate story, details the scandal and Nixon's role in the cover-up.

•    Nixon’s own memoir, "RN: The Memoirs of Richard Nixon," acknowledges his mistakes, though he stopped short of fully admitting his role in the cover-up.

•    Historian Stephen E. Ambrose, in his book "Nixon: The Triumph of a Politician" and "Nixon: Ruin and Recovery,"provides detailed accounts of Nixon’s struggles with pride, power, and paranoia, especially during Watergate.

•    John Dean, Nixon’s White House Counsel, wrote extensively about Nixon’s role and the prideful decisions that led to his downfall in "Blind Ambition: The White House Years”.

According to historians, pride was at the heart of Richard Nixon’s undoing, playing a significant role during the “Watergate” scandal.

Nixon was known for his political prowess, having successfully navigated a long and accomplished career. However, behind this prowess was a deep-seated pride and an obsession with power and control. His pride led him to engage in unethical behavior, including covering up the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972.

The scandal that followed began to unravel the lies and deception, revealing that Nixon’s administration had engaged in illegal activities. As the investigation progressed, it became clear that Nixon was involved in the cover-up. His attempts to protect his image and retain his power caused him to make decisions that further entrenched him in deceit and dishonor.

In the end, the weight of his actions became too much to bear, and his presidency collapsed. On August 8, 1974, Richard Nixon became the first U.S. president to resign from office. The pride that had driven him to seek political control ultimately led to his disgrace.

### **Key Point:** The higher we build our towers on the shaky foundation of self, the harder they will fall. Nixon’s pursuit of power, driven by pride, not only damaged his own career but also shook the trust of the nation.

It really is true what Solomon said in Proverbs 16:

18 Pride goes before destruction,

a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 Better to be lowly in spirit and among the

oppressed

than to share plunder with the proud.

(Proverbs 16, NIV1984)

Pride often starts small—just a thought or action—but it builds into something that becomes unstable, destined to collapse.

As we approach the election season, pride is often on full display in our world, with people clinging to their opinions and platforms. But what if instead of building a tower of pride, we chose to build on the foundation of Jesus, through humility?

This morning, we are continuing our series entitled Faith beyond the Ballot Box. In a world full of political division and uncertainty, one thing remains constant—our faith in Christ.

We began our study, remembering that no matter what happens on November 5, no matter the results of the election, even in times of political tension and division, we can rest assured that God's kingdom is eternal and unshakable. Jesus is Lord over all earthly powers, and our true citizenship lies in His kingdom—a kingdom not defined by political leaders but by humility, servanthood, and ultimate allegiance to God.

We saw last week how our unity is not based on cultural, social, or political similarities but rather on our shared identity in Jesus—sinners saved by grace. As believers, we are called to elevate Jesus above our differences and work together as one body, reflecting God's love and bringing hope to a divided world.

This morning, we’ll explore how **humility is the antidote to pride** and how it brings healing not only in our lives but also in a divided nation. **Humility is essential** to living out our faith beyond the ballot box. In times of political tension, humility shows our trust in God’s plan and leads us toward unity and healing.

### **1. Humility dismantles pride and fosters unity.**

An Example of Humility

Source: Allen Mann, Remington, Virginia. Leadership, Vol. 15, no. 4.

https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/1998/february/4212.html

Copied from Preaching Today

In 1994 Thurman Thomas, head bowed with his hands covering his face, sat on the Buffalo bench following his team's fourth straight Super Bowl loss. His three fumbles had helped seal the awful fate of his Buffalo Bills. Suddenly, standing before him was the Dallas Cowboys' star running back, Emmitt Smith. Just named MVP for Super Bowl XXVIII, Smith was carrying his small goddaughter. Smith looked down at her and said, "I want you to meet the greatest running back in the NFL, Mr. Thurman Thomas.”