Getting Serious about My Pride

 

“Getting Serious about My Pride”

Prov. 3:12; 6:16-19; 29:23; 1 Tim. 3:6; Jam. 4:6 

 

SUBJECT:  CORRECTIONS ADVERSITY COMPELS US TO MAKE

THEME: Nothing compels us to make spiritual changes like troubles. When troubles come, examine your heart for prideful attitudes and correct them to continue spiritual growth.  

RELEVANCY: If we begin to walk just one degree away from the truth—in pride we will soon find ourselves a long way from the path of righteousness in which the Lord desires us to walk daily. Part of the unfortunate reality surrounding ‘pride’ is its capacity for causing destruction. I have witnessed it destroying friendships, church memberships, marriages, political allegiances, occupations, professional pursuits, creative acumen, spiritual sincerity, and honest redemption investigations. The destructive power of ‘pride’ compels me to address the subject squarely.  

INTRODUCTION:

Have you ever wondered why it is that we sometimes end up in some of the most embarrassing and humiliating difficulties? It’s bad enough to have troubles, but it is even worse when they are filled with overwhelming shame, degrading scandal, or belittling nonsense, stupidity, and blunders. Perhaps I should be oblivious of these developments…totally unfamiliar with these types of situations…but…I am not. Not even by a longshot…. I know these predicaments a little too well…even with recent humbling evidence on top of other painful lessons. I know personally the Lord will often use troubles to reveal our problems involving pride. Of course, the Lord wants to correct this wrong attitude! When we think ourselves to be superior to others or when we have an inflated perception of ourselves, be assured that the Lord wants us to see things squarely and accurately and walk in the confines of his plan for us.

MESSAGE:

TROUBLE COMPELS US TO CORRECT OUR ATTITUDE OF PRIDE

James 4:6, But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

A.  GOD RESISTS OUR PRIDEFUL BEHAVIOR.

James 4:6 states very clearly, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

1. There are a few Observation we Must Not Miss!

a.      God gives more “grace”: Despite human flaws, selfishness, and spiritual unfaithfulness, God generously provides an endless supply of undeserved favor and forgiveness. 

b.     “God resisteth (opposes) the proud”: Pride—trying to be the master of our own life or thinking we can earn salvation on your own merit—puts a person directly at odds with God. 

c.      “Giveth grace unto the humble”: True humility steams from acknowledging our spiritual bankruptcy and willfully submitting to God’s authority. When we do this, God opens the door to pour out His help and blessing. (See GotQuestions.org)

2. Please Keep this Fact Upper Most in Mind!

God addresses believers who were acting selfishly, fighting with each other, and compromising their faith by adopting the self-centered, worldly ways of their culture. By application He is talking to us! James issues a stern warning against unholy “adultery” (loving the world more than God). Immediately, James reminds us God’s grace is greater than our mistakes, if we are willing to repent turning back to Him. (See GotQuestions.org)

3. Key Fact You Want to Takeaway to Avoid Pride!

a.      Pride pushes God away: When we rely completely on ourselves or think we don’t need God, we are essentially opposing Him.

b.     Humility attracts God: Approaching God with a repentant, dependent heart allows us to receive His freely given grace. (See GotQuestions.org)

Pride erects a spiritual barrier. When we rely on self-sufficiency, self-righteousness, or boastfulness, God actively opposes or “resists” us. In contrast, grace is unlocked through humility. When we acknowledge our spiritual poverty and surrender to God, He responds with favor, unmerited help, and spiritual strength.

B. GOD REALLY DOES HATE HUMAN PRIDE.

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

Anyone who has fail to note God’s magnificence, brilliance, and majesty in every area will struggle more with human based pride! Yes, we do possess God-given strengths and qualities, but God gave these gifts to us for His glory and not our own. With such pursuits we live out a forfeiture of the ‘grace’ that strengthen and enables a correct view of reality—human humility.     

·        “A man's pride shall bring him low”: Arrogant people often overestimate their abilities and alienate others through boasting or selfishness. This self-absorption blinds them to their flaws, leading to inevitable failure and public disgrace when their pride is exposed.

·        “But honour shall uphold the humble in spirit”: Being ‘lowly in spirit’ is recognizing our dependence on God and valuing others above ourselves. Humility protects a person from the pitfalls of arrogance and earns them the deep, lasting respect of peers and divine favor.                                       

     1.  God Frequently Addresses the Subject of Pride.

In fact, we have this same message echoed many times in the Scriptures for our warning and admonition. 

1 Peter 5:5, 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.

Matthew 23:12, And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

         a.  The Concept Often Appears in the Bible.

The word “pride” appears 49 times, “haughty” appears 10 times, “vain glory” appears 1 time, and “glorying” appears 4 times, “glory” appears 402 times, but some of theses are used in a very good context.  The word “vanity” is used some 86 times, while “conceit” is used 5 times, and “arrogancy” appears 4 times.  Then the word “puffed up” is used 6 times in the word of God.  God strenuously resists the arrogant spirited individual and He obviously deals with it so many times because it lies at the heart of the sinful attitude that fills our lives, nature, composition, and inclinations.

          b.  Self-centeredness Is Pride.

The sin of pride is common to all mankind.

               1. Pride is Not Easily Confronted.

It is not easily confronted…because we often are too proud to admit that we have prideful issues!

              2. Pride is Not Easily Destroyed.

Pride is also not a sin that is easily eradicated for it goes to the core of our very nature and what we hold to be true about ourselves and about our relationship with God. As long as we think that we can do it on our own in any area of our lives, we are guilty of pride.

         c. God Completely Hates Pride.

Elsewhere, pride is listed among four things that the Lord hates: pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth. Proverbs 8:13, The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Arrogance and self-importance ultimately result in humiliation and downfall, whereas a modest and teachable attitude earns genuine respect and lasting honor.

1.      Arrogance is a Trap: A prideful person is often stubborn and self-reliant, which blocks them from receiving wisdom or correction.

2.      Exaltation come from God: God opposes the proud but extends grace and promotion to the humble.

3.      True Success is what we Really Want: Worldly pursuits of status and self-promotion are fleeting. Real, lasting respect (“honor”) comes from a character defined by gentleness, honesty, and grace.

      2. God Utterly Condemns Pride Regarding it as an Abomination (Extreme Discuss).

In yet another passage of scripture, pride is listed among seven things that are an abomination to God:  

Proverbs 6:16-19, These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: [17] A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, [18] An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, [19] A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

1. Abominations are attitudes or actions that cause God extreme disgust and intense repulsion. The Hebrew term to'ebah, points to something deeply offensive to God’s holy nature because it destroys trust, justice, and harmony within human relationships.

2. Pride is in the same category as murder and at the top of the list of things God hates! This list represents a complete and deeply serious inventory of behaviors that oppose God’s holy and loving character. Sin involves the whole person: the mind (devising wickedness), the eyes and heart (pride), the mouth (lying), and the hands and feet (violence and action).

3. Decide that “pride” is something that every believer should seek to hate and utterly reject in their lives. Pride should not be the driving factor in our service, it should not be at the heart of our relationships, it should not be the key to our accepting others, it should not be the determining factor in making decisions. To live in pride is to follow satanic influence and an anti-Christ spirit. 1 Tim. 3:6, Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. We must understand that we will experience the same kind of judgment and humiliation that Satan did because he sought a higher position for which he was not qualified. Thus, pride is a sure-fire way to invite trouble into our lives.

Beloved, there is no ‘positive treatment’ of pride in Scripture at all…zero…none. There is no such thing as “good pride.” While we always have opportunity to be more ‘thankful’ to God instead of taking so much for granted, we have no reason with which to justify our pride, arrogance, or independence. Reject all forms of pride and thereby save yourself from some trouble involving a downfall, shame, discredit, and a large slice of humble pie! 1 Cor. 10:12, Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Again, when troubles come, examine your heart for prideful attitudes and correct them to continue spiritual growth.  

 

 

Patiently Resting and Trusting

“Patiently Resting and Trusting”

Psalm 27:14; 59:9-10; 62:1-2; Isa. 40:31; John 11

                                                            

SUBJECT: GOD’S STRENGTH IN FRUSTRATIONS. 

THEME: You Can Overcome the Frustrations by the Wisdom and Strength of the Lord.  

RELEVANCE: Why is this important to us? We need to understand the source of our frustrations is Satan (these are spiritual battles) and trust the Lord to help us overcome these hindrances. God prescribes specific practices to escape the trap of impatience like patience, rest, and trust. 

INTRODUCTION: 

God wants us to actively participate in the work he desires to accomplish. Waiting strategically can cultivate good fruit in our lives such as patience, perseverance, and endurance. It also draws us closer to our Savior and points those who are watching us to the gospel.

MESSAGE:

FRUSTRATION COULD BE ROOTED IN IMPATIENT ATTITUDES

Psalm 27:14, Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. 

 A.  ARE YOU RUNNING AHEAD OF GOD?

B.  WAITING ON GOD BUILDS ADVANTAGES AND PATIENCE.

C.  WAITING ON GOD IS A CHOICE TO PATIENTLY REST IN HIS PLAN.

Again, the disadvantages of getting ahead of God are evident. Peter was notorious for trying to get ahead of God's plan, even to the slicing off of a man's ear in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Jesus, on the other hand, never showed up too early or too late. He always arrived right on time, in keeping with what the Father was doing. Learning to wait on God's timing is one of the hallmarks of the maturity. 

Psalm 59:9-10, Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence. [10] The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.

Psalm 62:1-2, To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.  Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. [2] He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

The Lord doesn't catapult us into greatness; He grows us into spiritual maturity.

He stretches us slowly so that we don't break.

He expands our vision slowly so that we can take in all of the details of what He desires to accomplish.

He causes us to grow slowly so that we stay balanced.

The unfolding of God's plan for your life is a lifelong process. Relax in His presence and allow Him to lead the journey and do His work in you. (Dr. C. Stanley)

D. WAITING ON GOD IS AN ACT OF TRUST AND FAITH.

Waiting on God is not passive idleness, but a positive, active posture of trust, hope, and faithful endurance. Waiting with confident expectations are never put to shame and ultimately receive divine strength, justice, and deliverance.

1. King David Patiently Waiting on God While Trusting Him (Psalm 40:1-3)

a.      David details an agonizing season of waiting, often associated with his flight from King Saul. He emphasizes that this is not wasted time but a period where God hears prayers and prepares a firm foundation.

b.     Psalm 40:1-2, I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 

2. The Prophet Isaiah Waited on God’s Promise with Solid Confidence (Isaiah 40:31)

a.      Isaiah provides the ultimate promise for waiting on God, teaching that divine waiting exchanges our weariness for God’s supernatural strength.

b.     Isaiah 40:31, But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Perhaps waiting on God feels impractical because we perceive a different outcome than God does…we want something quite different from what God has in mind. Sometimes we are guilty of wanting things far too small when God is thinking much bigger, grander, and strategically. Further, our expectations may even be more focused on ourselves and not necessarily the broader plan of God.

This kind of thing happen repeatedly in the Bible, but it was especially punctuated in John 11 with the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead. Often, we impose our limitations on God restricting Him to fit into our expectations, when God is not limited like that at all. Our need for Him and the opportunity to transcend normal is presented through life’s challenges, but few seldom realize the opportunities to trust Him and surpass the limitations of our experience. It is true death, the grave, and the stench of death are very real limitations we cannot overcome no matter how sincere we are. It is also true that we allow ourselves to ‘think’ within the confines of those limits and we don’t even consider possibilities beyond them…. We err when we impose those same limits onto God only expecting or even requiring Him to operate within our ‘level’ of comprehension. He is NOT obligated to function that way, and further He really knows where He is doing with each opportunity. He has a strategic plan!

It is precisely at this juncture we feel acutely the frustrations not realizing God is itching to introduce something mind-blowing and life changing! Jesus requires ‘faith’—believing Him to realize the greater realities! Sometimes we are so consumed with the past… ‘what we perceived should have been’, we haven’t even entertained future possibilities yet. We would have been happy with a ‘healing’, but God wants a ‘resurrection!’ We may envision the local impact of a ‘resurrection’ miracle but not yet perceive the farther-reaching impact of such a testimony for future disciples. We can influence a ‘healing’ with our prayers, but only God can work His divine plan for our future. The first instance courts our pride, but the second option illuminates the ‘grace’ of God!

You and I must trust Him to do the impossible…He knows no such limitations. We must stop thinking too small…too selfishly; start living by ‘faith’ in God’s limitless power and strategic plan. We will experience far less frustration when we do.

CONCLUSION: 

The Lord will do whatever it takes to prod us toward His higher places. He'll make us restless with where we are if it is time for us to move on. He'll cause us to hunger and thirst for more of Him. He'll plant within us a desire for things we never dreamed of desiring in our relationship with Him.

Trust God with all of the circumstances, relationships, and schedules in your life. Rest in Him. He desires to be your strong and sure haven in all times of frustration. (Dr. C. Stanley)

Exodus 20:8-11, Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. [9] Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: [10] But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: [11] For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Mark 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

However, these difficult periods are meant to build endurance and draw us closer to God rather than just being empty time.

When the wait feels overwhelming, these perspectives and practices can help make the season a bit more manageable. When the future is unclear, focus on what you know to be true about God's character rather than what you don't know about your life. Instead of just being passive, you can channel this time into prayer, writing down what you are grateful for, and resting in the present.

Are you currently waiting for direction in a specific area of your life, or are you just looking for encouragement to help you get through today?

 

I'm Struggling with Waiting

 

“Overcoming Waiting Frustrations”

Psalm 27:14; 40:1-4; Lament. 3:24-26                      

SUBJECT: GOD’S STRENGTH IN FRUSTRATIONS.

THEME: You Can Overcome the Frustrations by the Wisdom and Strength of the Lord.  

RELEVANCE: Why is this important to us? We need to understand the source of our frustrations is Satan (these are spiritual battles) and trust the Lord to help us overcome these hindrances. God prescribes specific practices to escape the trap of impatience like patience, His control, prayer, trust, and fellowship with Him.    

INTRODUCTION: 

An impatient state of mind includes struggles to tolerate delays, obstacles, or slow progress. It is often characterized by an intense longing for things to happen immediately, often resulting in feelings of frustration, irritation, or restlessness when expectations are not met. This is far from ideal!

MESSAGE:

FRUSTRATION COULD BE ROOTED IN IMPATIENT ATTITUDES

Psalm 27:14, Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

There are also times when our feelings of frustration are rooted simply in a hurry-up attitude—impatience. We become impatient with the timing of certain events or changes that we desire in our lives. David’s wise counsel is to “wait on the Lord: be of good courage.”

“Courage” because ‘waiting’ on God is rarely easy, especially in a fast-paced culture that expects instant results. Waiting often highlights our lack of control and brings feelings of tension or frustration.

A.  ARE YOU RUNNING AHEAD OF GOD?

Impatient attitudes are generally framed as foolish, destructive, and lacking in faith revealing that we are indeed running ahead of God. 

1.     God Warns Us Against the Problems of Impatience:

a.      Proverbs 14:29, He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

b.     Proverbs 16:32, He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

c.      Ecclesiastes 7:9, Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

d.     James 1:19, Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

The Bible warns that rushing ahead of God's timing often leads to sin, anger, strife, frustration, and regret, while urging believers to practice patience and resting in the Lord instead.

2.     God Gives Us Concrete Examples Where Impatience Led to Terrible Outcomes:

a.      King Saul’s Impatience (1 Samuel 13:8-14): Saul grew impatient waiting for the prophet Samuel to arrive and perform a sacrificial offering. Taking matters into his own hands, Saul disobeyed God's commands, ultimately costing him his royal kingdom.

b.     Abraham and Sarah’s Haste (Genesis 16:1-6): Despite God's promise to give them a son, Sarah grew impatient with the wait and gave her servant Hagar to Abraham to conceive. This hasty workaround resulted in deep jealousy, family strife, and historical conflict.

c.      The Nation of Israel’s Hurry (Exodus 32:1-4): While waiting for Moses to return from Mount Sinai, the people grew impatient and demanded that Aaron craft a golden idol to worship, provoking God's severe wrath.

Rushing ahead of God’s timing often means allowing anxiety or comparison push us to force outcomes. Instead of waiting for doors to open naturally, we might find ourselves trying to manipulate situations. This impatience can lead to unnecessary stress and blunders, as we take matters into our own hands rather than trusting God’s broader plan.

A restlessness in spirit can manifest itself as a tendency to run past God's will. You may know what God wants you to do, and in eagerness to get the job done, you forget that God also has a perfect timetable for accomplishing His will. Just as the Lord has a right thing for you to do, a right path in which you are to walk, and a right growth pattern for your faith, so, too, He has a right time for each step He leads you to take. (Dr. C. Stanley)

God describes impatience not just as a minor annoyance, but as a spiritual trap. He warns that rushing and impatience lead to poor decisions, stir up conflict, and often stem from a lack of trust in His perfect timing and sovereignty. (From Christian Life Resources)

B.  WAITING ON GOD BUILDS ADVANTAGES AND PATIENCE.

Psalm 27:14, Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Numerous times in the Bible we find an advantage associated with “waiting on the Lord.” Waiting means, in part, saying to the Lord, “Is now the time? I'm waiting until You give me the green light before I go.” 

     1.  Waiting Creates Time During Which We Can Trust God.

David knew from experience what it meant to wait for the Lord. He had been anointed king at age sixteen but didn't become king until he was thirty. During the interim, he was chased through the wilderness by jealous King Saul. David had to wait on God for the fulfillment of his promise to reign. Later, after becoming king, he was chased by his rebellious son, Absalom. (Dr. C. Stanley)

God Counsels and Encourages us to Live more Patiently.

Instead of relying on immediate gratification or control, God directs believers to practice patience and trust in His timing:

a.      Psalm 27:14, Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

b.     James 5:7-8, Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

c.      James 1:4, But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Wait on the Lord by faith, and prayer, and a humble resignation to his will; wait, I say, on the Lord; whatever you do, grow not remiss in your attendance upon God. (2.) Keep up your spirits in the midst of the greatest dangers and difficulties: Be of good courage; let your hearts be fixed, trusting in God, and your minds stayed upon him, and then let none of these things move you. Those that wait upon the Lord have reason to be of good courage.^[1]

     2.  Waiting for God Is Not Easy Though.

Often it seems that He isn't answering our prayers or doesn't understand the urgency of our situation.

          A.  The Implications of Impatience.

That kind of thinking implies that God is not in control or is not fair. But the Bible never states that God is not in control or that He is unfair. Instead, God is entirely sovereign and totally just. The Bible actively addresses our complaints that God is not fair by pointing out that His ways are equal, but our actions are often not. (See Ezekiel 18:25, 29; Acts 10:34). The Bible consistently affirms God's supreme authority, control over human plans, and overall orchestration of events.

·        Proverbs 19:21, There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

·        Isaiah 46:10, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

          B.  The Benefits of Patience.

God gives us incentives to encourage us to wait on Him and His wisdom.

Psalm 40:1-4, To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.  I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. [2] He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. [3] And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. [4] Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 

Waiting on God prepares us to have our real needs met. Waiting for God to help us is not easy, but David received four benefits from waiting: God:

             1. Lifted Him out of His Despair;

             2. Set His Feet on a Hard, Firm Path;

             3. Steadied Him as He Walked; and

             4. Put a New Song of Praise in His Mouth.

Often blessings cannot be received unless we go through the trial of waiting.  

Always bear in mind that God is worth waiting for. Lament. 3:24-26, The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. [25] The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. [26] It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. We are called to hope in and wait on the Lord because often God uses waiting to refresh, renew, and teach us. Make good use of your waiting times by discovering what God may be trying to teach you in them.

          C.  The Examination of our Hearts.

If you have a pattern of getting ahead of God's timing, ask yourself,

“What am I looking for in life? Why do I keep running right past God's will in trying to get it? What am I in a hurry for?”

Psalm 37:34, Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

Psalm 25:21, Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.

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^[1] Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 780.