The President’s Biggest Problem

In my senior year at Connersville High School, we had quite the overachieving class president. Joe was enthusiastic, likeable, and just seemed like he would do well in life beyond school. Similarly, my Senior class president at Baptist Bible College was an overachiever… Dennis, too seemed like he would be able to do anything when he got out of college. But with both of these men, their lives ended up a disaster. Why? Both Joe and Dennis had the same problem. Pride.

What is Pride? It is alternatively described as: an exaggerated opinion of ones self, independence of any authority, or placing oneself at the center of his thinking and sphere of influence. Psalm 10:4 tells us that the wicked will push God out of his thoughts. As he becomes the center of his own world, there’s no more room for God. Psalm 49:11 tells us that they begin to think of themselves as everlasting… thinking they’re invincible and will endure forever. This is the natural reaction of anyone who has no room for God… they themselves become the measure of all things.

What does God think of the proud?

Proverbs 16:5 tells us:

Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

This is echoed all throughout Scripture. God hates pride. From the Old Testament Psalms all the way into the New Testament, the condemnation of pride by God is universal. There’s two illustrations that the Scriptures use to describe the proud: Proverbs 25:14 tells us:

Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

They’re like empty clouds… all the huff and puff, but no substance behind their masquerade.

Second, Psalms 73:6

Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

Why is Pride such a major problem in the heart of man? We have to realize that the heart and origin of sin can be traced to pride: Lucifer’s. Isaiah 14:12-14:

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Pride can and will affect every area of our life. First in our thoughts, it will quickly spread to our speech, relationships, decisions, goals, etc. Every area. Nothing within the soul of man will be left untouched by the scourge of pride. So how do we deal with it? First, we must acknowledge its presence and reality: it is sin, and it is in us. Also, we must realize the consequences. Deception, shame… ultimately it will rob us of our ability to see God, and in turn take His glory that He deserves in our lives.

What does Scripture say must be done? I’ll leave you with two passages.

1 Peter 5:5-8:

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.Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Jeremiah 9:23-24:

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

Posted on 7/16/2008 under Pastor Cornett's Blog. Comments RSS feed.
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