Tag: Pride

A Christian Perspective

Pride Leads to Disgrace

Loring Schultz

“Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2 NLT

‘But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say,
‘God opposes the proud but favors the humble.’” James 4:6 NLT

Photo by Joan Kwamboka on Unsplash
 

Pride is a word we hear and come across often today, especially at this time of year. It does have several meanings according to Websters New World Dictionary, ‘pride’ is defined as 1. a)  an unduly high opinion of oneself b) haughtiness, arrogance. 2. dignity and self-respect. 3. satisfaction in something done, owed, etc. 4. a person or thing in which pride is taken. Christians often struggle with pride. For example, is it wrong to be proud of certain accomplishments you have achieved through hard work? Are you wrong to be proud of a son or daughter who has just graduated from high school or college? And what about the successes of those we know who have reached the highest level of their profession, do we refrain from being proud of them?

The Bible has a lot to say about pride, mostly in a negative sense, but not always. Isaiah writes of legitimate pride during Jesus’ reign on earth, “But in that day, the branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious; the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of all who survive in Israel.” (Is.4:2 nlt) But for the most part, Scripture speaks of pride as part of our sinful fallen nature. The apostle John says, “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” (1Jn.2:16 nlt) When our accomplishments and achievements are viewed without God in mind as we boast in who we are and what we have done, it is the sin of pride. All sin has its roots in pride. Satan’s fall from grace as Lucifer, son of the morning, was due to his pride. (Is.14:12-15)

So, what are you proud of? Was the Lord’s hand in it? Did you do it for His glory and would He approve of it? Are you proud of someone else’s achievements for the same reasons? Is God glorified by the accomplishments of that individual you are proud of? Having pride in something or somebody must always be filtered through the God of the Bible and His words to us. Let us be obedient to His Word and live humbly before Him realizing ‘pride leads to disgrace.’

Bible Studies

“The Insanity of Human Pride” LIVING IN BABYLON: The Book of Daniel

Loring Schultz

“As he looked out across the city, he said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’” Daniel 4:30 NLT

            A godless society provides the right environment for seeds of pride to grow. Without having God to answer to, it becomes all about me. All my accomplishments are of my doing. The successes I enjoy are through the skill sets I have developed over the years. They are the product of hard work securing a vast education and using that knowledge and experience along with my natural abilities and keenness. Such rationalization is applauded nowadays. There is nothing wrong with being successful. Higher education should be pursued, and a good strong work ethic is a positive trait and is looked upon favorably. But Christians need to be careful in developing skill sets to remember where our natural abilities come from, and who is guiding, leading, and helping us along the way. Jesus reminds us, “For apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:5)

            In our continued weekly ‘Living in Babylon’ series, we come now to chapter 4 of the book of Daniel where see the insanity of human pride. Last week in chapter 3, Nebuchadnezzar erected a statue representing himself to be worshiped. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused, the king had them thrown into the fiery furnace. To Nebuchadnezzar’s amazement the Lord God sent His angel to deliver them from the flames. Nebuchadnezzar had a change of heart saying, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.” (Dan. 3:28 NLT) He then made a decree that no one is to speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. But in a pagan culture, a change of heart is centered on the power of a god and not recognition of the true God. Nebuchadnezzar had another change of heart.

            Nebuchadnezzar praises God again in chapter 4 by saying, “I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how powerful his wonders! His kingdom will last forever, his rule through all generations.” (Dan. 4:2-3 NLT) The king has another dream that troubled him and calls for the wise men to interpret it. These are the same men who couldn’t help the king in chapter 2 and cannot help him now by interpreting his dream. Nebuchadnezzar then calls for his ace in the hole, Daniel, who has accurately interpreted his dream concerning the statue with the head of gold. Daniel does indeed give the king an accurate interpretation to his latest dream, one that troubles Daniel as well.

            I’m sure we have all heard the saying, ‘pride comes before a fall.’ Perhaps some of us witnessed such a disaster. Daniel was not only going to witness one, but he would be the one to inform the king that it would happen to him and in the most humiliating way. Although the king had praised God’s wonderful signs; the seeds of pride within Nebuchadnezzar’s mind have been sprouting and growing now for some time. The Lord would tell the king through the dream Daniel interpreted that he would be disposed from his kingdom by a period of insanity that would come upon him due to his pride. He would be driven out into fields and live like a wild animal for seven years until he came to senses and acknowledges that God rules over all the kingdoms of world. And so it happened, “As he looked out across the city, he said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’ While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from heaven, ‘O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom.’” (Dan. 4:30-31 NLT) The king was driven out by his pride.

            Living in modern day Babylon has its challenges for Christians. The sin of pride is certainly evident in our society. But we must also acknowledge that pride is at the root of all sin. Christians must be careful not be influenced by the culture and allow the seeds of pride to find fertile soil in our hearts and minds ready for planting. Lest we join in the insanity of human pride.

Read: Daniel 4 NLT – Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream about a Tree – Bible Gateway