Scripture
Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.
~Proverbs 29:23, NLT
Quote
Pride is the mother hen under which all sins are hatched.
~C. S. Lewis
The verse above restates the same principle found in Proverbs 16:18, Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. The end result of pride is humiliation: this is God’s rule and there are no exceptions. When we exalt ourselves, He takes it personal and sees to it that we are abased. This principle is stated and restated throughout the bible:
- Jesus is Luke 14:11–“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- James says in chapter four– [v.6] “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” …[v.10]… “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
- Peter in 1 Peter 5:6–“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
There are several more references of Jesus teaching this principle or spiritual law but one should be sufficient. I believe in this spiritual law, so much so, that I rebuke proud thoughts. I do not want to be associated with pride because I know from experience the consequences that accompany it. Solomon taught [11;2, 13:10] that Pride has an entourage, it never travels alone. With pride comes shame, disgrace, humiliation and strife following close behind. I am guilty of saying proud things and often these proud words strike fear in my heart because I have no doubt about the consistency of this law. I will suffer the consequences of every proud word.
The law of gravity is real and becomes more real everyday. It is easier to fall than it is to get up and that is due to the law of gravity. At times, we can defy the law with the help of external power [like a jet] but as a general rule, we learn to live under the authority of this law. As a kid, I jumped off of roofs and bridges but I don’t jump out of the back of a pickup anymore. Listen, I have greater respect for the law of gravity now than ever. Before I get down, I have to figure out a way to get up because getting up in much harder for me than getting down. The older I get, the more I think about the law of gravity and its consequences.
The law of pride is just as real as the law of gravity, perhaps more so. It bothers me when a preacher refers to the congregation as being “sinners” but doesn’t include himself. I heard a preacher say recently that he wished he had a magnetometer, like those used at airports, but one that would detect sin. Then he said smugly, “Most of you would not get out of the building without the machine going off.” I was thinking to myself, “Your pride would certainly set it off.” I heard a man preach about God hatred for evil doers and yet he was reeking with pride. There was no humility in his message. Folks, PRIDE is evil, as evil as you can get. Pride sets man’s will against God’s. Pride reaches out for the very glory that belongs only to Christ; how can there be a greater evil? What was the most despicable sin that Jesus saw in us during the incarnation? Was it demon possession, adultery, drunkenness, tax evasion or in Zac’s case, extortion? No, it was the pride and arrogance He saw in the Jewish religious leaders like the Pharisees. There is nothing good about PRIDE because the unbent “I” is right in the center.
Attended a COLS in Brenen, Alabama yesterday. It is on the South side of Smith Lake. I drove down to the lake after the service and it was the most beautiful spot I’ve seen on Lake. LORD willing, I will be going to Athens for a COLS today. I think we have a couple of days of beautiful weather before it turns cold again. I hope you have a wonderful day.
