PRIDE!

Our society says to be proud, pursue your goals and be successful.

Be proud of yourself. Stand up straight and go get what you want.

Take pride in your job.

Take pride in your family.

Take pride in your country.

Be proud!

But, does God tell us to be proud?

Does God approve of a proud heart?

Proverbs 16:5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD.

There are three texts found in the book of Proverbs which are very similar:

A message repeated three times must be worthy of our attention!

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

That puts a sense of ultimacy on our decisions.

There is a way that seemeth right to a man, makes sense, is rational, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 21:2 is similar: Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.

If we profess to love the Lord Jesus, why would we ignore these very obvious warnings about our own ability to make decisions?

We're told in no uncertain terms that our pride will destroy us!

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

We need to humble ourselves before the Lord!

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said: Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

What does pride produce?

Proverbs 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Proverbs 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

This is something that is very important for us to acknowledge! If there is contention, it's because of pride!

Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

No, our society is wrong! Our culture is wrong!

Do not be proud! Be humble before the Lord!

Luke 1:50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

God hates pride!!!

Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look...

If our heart is full of pride, the Holy Spirit is not in us!

1 John 2:15 Love not the world , neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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.

We should hate pride...

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward (perverse) mouth, do I hate.

Mark 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride (note that pride is here in this list), foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Hate evil! Psalms 97:10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil...

Think about this. God absolutely hates evil (lying, cheating, sexual immorality, pride, murder, etc.), and we should also hate these things.

That includes hating pride!

To be a man of God, one should be:

1 Timothy 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Be a man of God, and God will pardon you, and will not forsake you.

Nehemiah 9:16 But they and our fathers acted proudly, Hardened their necks, And did not heed Your commandments. They refused to obey, And they were not mindful of Your wonders That You did among them. But they hardened their necks, And in their rebellion They appointed a leader To return to their bondage. But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them.

Here we are in the last days...

2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, without self control, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, rash, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Sure does fit our younger generations, doesn't it?

Solomon:

Click here to read my notes on the book of Ecclesiastes!

Kill your pride! Destroy it! Burn it to ash!!!

Walk humbly with your God.

Seek God and His truth! Dispel the lies of Satan and Churchianity! Love God and seek Him in His Word!