The first of the seven deadly sins is pride. A simple definition of the word pride is an exaggerated opinion of one’s value and worth. It is the attitude of superiority over others. A biblical example of pride is the tower of Babel where the people said, we will make a name for ourselves.
Tonight we will look at the verses that use the word pride, haughty, conceited, arrogant, proud.
Arrogancy--Proverbs 8:13--the fear of the Lord is to hate evil, pride and arrogancy. When we realize that pride is the exaltation of self over anything else, including God, we must despise pride. The best cure of a spirit of pride is to have a healthy fear of God.
Conceit--Proverbs 26:12- see a man who is wise in his own conceit, there is more hope for a fool than him. When someone is conceited, they are above correction, they already know it all, they have arrived. God says there is more hope for someone who is a fool or simple minded, because at least they are willing to learn.
Haughty--Ezekiel 16:50- they were haughty and committed abominations before me. In describing the sins of Sodom, being haughty was mentioned. They committed abominations before the Lord, because they were haughty, it was the attitude of in your face God.
They didn’t just sin, they had a spirit of rebellion against God working in them.
Pride--Psalms 73:6- therefore pride compasses them about as a chain, violence covers them like a garment. This is a very vivid picture of pride, that those who are proud are bound by it. They can’t love fully, they can’t give to others or serve, because the God of self becomes a chain around the heart.
Proverbs 16:18-pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. This is probably one of the most well known verses on pride. Pride sets people up for destruction. A haughty spirit for a fall. This is because confidence is a good thing, over confidence is a bad thing. A man who thinks he is something when he is nothing, is deceived. On the show American Idol, people try out who can’t sing at all. They become infuriated when they are rejected. Pride sets us up for many falls.
Jeremiah 13:17--pride produces stubbornness, an unwillingness to submit to God. Pride is a punishable sin, because God will bring judgment against those who walk in pride. When Israel rejected God because of pride, they lost battles, they were taken captive.
Daniel 4:37- those who walk in pride he is able to abase. This is a strong word from God, He is able to humble those who walk in pride.
Obadiah 1:3- the pride of your heart has deceived you--The Edomites had become so strong that they felt that no one could bring them down. They put their trust in human effort, not God, so God had to bring them down. A few years ago reporters started saying America was the world’s only superpower. I made a comment to someone when they started saying this, I hope God doesn’t have to bring us down because we have placed our trust in ourselves.
Spiritual Pride--I Timothy 3:6- not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. A person who becomes conceited because of their position in the church, will fall under the same judgment that Lucifer received for his pride.
1 John 2:16--all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world. When we are born the first time, we are born into the flesh domain, where pride is part of our very nature. When we are born of God, born of the Spirit, we take on the nature of Christ.
Listed in the Abominations- Proverbs 6:7- a proud look---When God lists the things He hates most, pride is first. Proud, conceited, haughty, high-minded, self-centered.
God just hates all of this, it brought Satan down, and it still brings people down today.
James 4:6--God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. God won’t hear a proud prayer, he won’t bless a proud heart, he only gives grace when there is a spirit of humility.
The cure for pride:
Humility--Psalms 51:17- a broken and a contrite heart O God, thou wilt not despise.
James 4:10-humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.
close: years ago Charles Finney held revival meetings in a certain city in the Midwest. During many of his recent revivals the power of God was so present and thousands were being saved. But at this meeting not much happened the first night. He inquired of the Lord the reason. The Lord impressed him to walk through the town where there were banners everywhere saying, come here Charles Finney, the greatest preacher in the world. Finney had the banners removed and the next night there was a mighty move of God. God will not share His glory with man, no flesh will glory in His presence.
