Pride - Right Below the Surface

There was a pastor who found a shoe box in his closet. He opened it inside with strange contents. First, there was an egg carton with five eggs inside of it. Next to that carton was $10,000 in this box. As soon as his wife walked through the door, he stopped and asked her if she knew anything about this odd combination, these five eggs in this stack of cash. She said, Yes, dear. After we got married, I decided that after every sermon you preached, if it was a bad one, I would put an egg in the shoe box. The preacher thought with pride for a moment about all the years they had been married, and that only five eggs were in the box. But honey, what about the $10,000? Oh, well, every time I got a dozen of eggs, I sold them. Ouch! When was the last time that you considered the impact of pride in your life? Truth be told, pride impacts every one of us sitting here, and all of you joining in with us online today. Pride permeates our thoughts and our actions because our own nature loves to think highly of ourselves and our opinions on things. We love to be told how great we are. We love to have everything around us operating just the way that we like it. We love to be in control of our future and daily life decisions. We love to share our thoughts and opinions on things. And we find it very easy to see the faults or problems in others' lives without acknowledging our own faults, problems, or weaknesses. In the Gospel account of Luke, we have recorded the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. And let's open our Bibles this morning to Luke 18 and verse 9. Luke 18, starting this account in verse 9. Speaking of Christ, it says, It says, It says, Look at this list. Extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. He goes on to say, I'm a pretty good guy. He says, I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Just like the Pharisee in this parable, often we like to trust in ourselves and what we can do or what we can control in our lives that make ourselves feel better about the direction our life goes. This is a trap that every one of us has fallen into and, truthfully, will continue to suffer in from time to time. This is pride. Sometimes when we consider the state of our spiritual life, we can fall into the trap of making a list of bad sins and not-so-bad sins. For some, the sin of pride might fall on that not-so-bad side of the list. Or maybe we justify why a decision we made was okay, or at least not as bad as someone else's decision. But we are completely unaware that our pride is at the root of us even having these thoughts. Or maybe we were critical of the way something was done by another person because we know the right way that something should be done. But when, truth be told again, the way that they were completing the task was completely fine. And it's just different than the way that you would have went about completing that task. Let each of us, and I'm speaking to myself as well today, not be fooled into thinking that pride isn't that big of a deal or something that we're not really affected by in life. We all deal with aspects of pride, and God calls pride an abomination and something that He hates. So today, let's explore and consider the damaging effects of pride in our lives. As I just referenced, God calls pride an abomination. We see this in Proverbs 6, starting in verse 16.

Proverbs 6, verse 16. The Scripture reads, These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven, are an abomination to Him, in the very first one in verse 17, a proud look, that haughty look, that arrogant look that some will display and that we each at time have displayed.

He goes on to say, It's amazing, as I consider this week, this list of these seven things, that I believe you can connect pride to every one of these other six things that the Lord hates. Consider that. A lying tongue, why do people lie? Either to boast about something that they've done in their lives, or to mislead someone because they don't want to seem wrong.

Hands that shed innocent blood, another aspect of pride sits behind that one, a heart that divides wicked plans, feet that are swift walking to evil, again, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. Pride can be intermingled with each one of these things, that the Lord considers an abomination. So many times we'll create, maybe in our minds, that bad list of sins and that not so bad list of sins. And sometimes lying might go on that not so bad in our minds, even though God doesn't weigh out one sin greater than the other.

All sin is equal. All sin deserves death according to God. But notice that he actually says, lying is an abomination. We can think of a lot of things that maybe we put on that really bad list that would be an abomination. But pride, lying, these are things that end up that God says is things that he hates and that are an abomination.

Why is pride so damaging? Pride is ever-present in our lives, and most of the time sits right below the surface of our being acknowledged by our conscience. We go on with our lives, we interact with people, and pride sits right below the surface, not making itself present, so that we can see it and root it out and say, Ooh, what I just did there was from a source of pride. Pride likes to be concealed. In a self-preservation type of way, pride likes to hide from the light of truth and stay just out of sight so it won't be noticed or identified. This way, we can't see or identify how pride influences how we think, act, say, or operate.

Pride just sits there in a false, unassuming fashion or a false, humble way, and while it sits there, it's feeding and encouraging our human nature to remain self-focused. There are many dangers of pride. These are just some of the thoughts that sometimes people can have. Some may say, I can see and understand the situation fully. In their pride, they believe that they can do that. They say, I know what's going on here. In my ultimate wisdom, I know exactly what's going on here.

I can take care of myself. I don't need anyone else. I can make my own decisions. I am really good at what I do. And I know what's best for my life. And with my own side note, even if that means trumping God at times, I know what's best for my life. We've all made these comments either directly or indirectly through our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. But pride is deceitful, and pride is damaging. One of the damaging aspects of pride is that it causes us to think poorly of others.

Have you ever said this before? Did you see what just happened there? I have no idea what this person is thinking. That may have come out of my mouth a few times. Where do you think these examples come from? Just saying. What about this one?

Look at that guy over there. I'm so thankful I was raised up better than that. These types of statements originate not from a mindset of sorrow and compassion for someone, not from that mindset, not from a heart trying to understand or empathize with someone's past and why it's different than what your past was. These types of statements don't originate from the character traits of Jesus Christ. These statements originate simply from pride. In reference to the passage from Proverbs 6, where it says, Matthew Henry's commentary says this about pride. Those things which God hates are the things that are easy to hate in others, but we must hate them in ourselves.

Hottyness, conceitedness of ourselves, and contempt of others. This is a proud look. There are seven things that God hates, and pride is the first, because it is at the bottom of much sin and gives rise to it. God sees the pride in the heart and he hates it there. That's from Matthew Henry's commentary. With the same mindset of how pride causes us to think poorly of others, let's turn to Proverbs 28.

Turn forward in the book of Proverbs 28 and verse 25. We're just going to be able to, in the time I have today, scratch the surface on the references to pride throughout Scripture. There are a number of Hebrew words that are used for hottyness or pride or lifting up, swelling throughout the Old Testament. There are quite a few Greek words in the New Testament that all point to this, and it's spread all through Scripture.

It is a major emphasis that God wants us to consider. If you're looking for a subject to study, the Spring Holy Days, pride would be a great one, because it does permeate our entire society.

It does love to rest hidden away in our lives, fueling our human nature at times. Here's one of the references in Proverbs 28 to 25 of how pride damages our relationships and causes us to think poorly on others. Proverbs 28 verse 25, He who is of a proud heart, and this word here, proud, means broad or wide, so that swelling of a heart, that hottyness, that lifting oneself up, and how great I am. He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, or could also be phrased, contention, these arguments, these fights.

But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered. And then one chapter forward in chapter 29 and verse 22, we see another reference to pride. 29 and verse 22, An angry man stirs up strife, arguing this contention, and a furious man abounds in transgression. A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.

A proud heart stirs up contention, or an angry man stirs up strife, we just read. Are we helping a fellow human achieve more in their life to go a positive direction in their interactions with us? Or are we creating conflict and contention with another person? Are we thinking poorly of another human created in the image of God? It's so easy to forget that aspect when we're annoyed, or we see something done that we don't agree with, or that we have differing thoughts or opinions on a subject, and then we start to think differently about that other person created in God's own image.

But this is a person that God allowed his son and sent his son to die for. Maybe not in this life, but in their future, when they have an opportunity to know and to understand God, and to be corrected on some things that they didn't understand today. Do we interact with them, causing strife? Do we allow our anger to get a hold of us? Do we not see the pride that is just below the surface?

Because that pride does so much damage in our relationships with others. Another damaging aspect of pride is that we're often blinded to our own pride. As mentioned earlier, we're often unaware of the impact the pride has on our choices, decisions, and the way we go throughout our day.

We need to ask ourselves the question, how often do I consider the impact of pride in my life? How much do I think about pride in my life? Is it monthly? Is it weekly? Or is it daily, maybe? Or maybe just once a year before Passover?

We make multiple decisions every day of our life. We make, I forget the number, I've looked at it before, I didn't look it up for this sermon. We make so many decisions, it's astounding in a day. But how many times do we circle back around and say, is this decision I'm making based on pride? Is there something going on underneath the surface that's impacting my decision, my attitude, my choice today?

How often do we ask ourselves and consider the impact of pride in our lives? Let's go back to Proverbs 16, this time in verse 2.

We haven't been to Proverbs 16 yet, so let's turn to Proverbs 16 in verse 2.

Because again, we make decisions, we make choices daily. We navigate often our course through our weeks based on what we need to do or what we determine we're going to do. And in our minds, often we feel like it was a good week. We did the right things. We moved forward in a good path. But again, how often do we consider the impact of pride in our lives? Proverbs 16, verse 2. Notice this. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes. I can say I agree with that statement, right? I feel pretty good about the decisions I make in my life, the path I take. I put my head down on a pillow and I can go to rest at night.

But I would be ignoring the rest of this passage if I didn't consider the truth in God's word. But the Lord weighs the spirits, he says. Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established. Verse 4. The Lord has made all for himself, yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord. Here's another reference to pride being an abomination. Something disgusted or disgusting. Something wicked. Do we ever consider that pride in our lives is disgusting? Something we'd never consider touching or handling or even bringing into our life. But Scripture says, everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord.

A little bit further in the same chapter, Proverbs 16, but verse 18, notice this. Proverbs 18. Pride, this exaltation, this elevating ourselves. Pride goes before destruction and a haughty, again, this elevating, this exaltation, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoiled with the proud. And then later in chapter 21, we see another aspect of our heart.

Deceiving the truth of what's going on in our lives. Proverbs 21 and verse 2.

Remember, chapter 16, verse 2, said, all the ways of the man are pure in his own eyes. Notice what chapter 21, verse 2, starts off saying. Proverbs 21, verse 2, every way of a man is right in his own eyes. A very similar statement. But the Lord weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. We make sacrifices maybe for our families, for others at work, those we care about, those that we may serve. And those things are good. But notice what is here. It says to do righteousness and justice is more acceptable. In verse 4, a hottie look, a proud heart, this wide, this puffed up, this broad heart, again. And the plow of the wicked and the plowing of the wicked are sin. The end. These things, a hottie look, a proud heart, these are sin. We can acknowledge that there have been times that we have allowed our own nature to trump God's spirit leading our lives. It's a given for every human being. We've all fallen into that aspect, into that ditch. We did what was right in our own eyes, only to suffer from the hurt we caused ourselves or those around us. And in the throes of following our own nature, we've often been blinded to the underlying pride that is present. Just below the surface, hidden away. We don't want to see it. Our human nature doesn't want to acknowledge it. And so we just leave it kind of just out of touch. But yet, it's having a dramatic impact in a lot of ways on our lives. Another damaging aspect that we must consider and remember. Let us not forget how Satan uses pride to wreak havoc in the lives of humans. It appears by all accounts in Scripture, pride was the underlying cause of Satan's turning against God and his fall. Pride is something that Scripture from accounts here we can conclude Satan stumbled in. And yet, even though maybe he might be blinded to this fact that this is even a problem he has, he knows the weaknesses you and I have with pride in our lives, and he uses it against us. But before we get into how Satan uses it, let's look at the examples from Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28. We'll turn there in a second, but first, Isaiah 14 and verse 12. Let's see how Satan is described in attitude and in heart. Isaiah 14 and verse 12.

Isaiah 14 and verse 12. How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning. How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations. For you have said in your heart, and where does pride originate? It originates in our heart. I will ascend. Notice the upward movement that is mentioned throughout this passage multiple times. I'll point those out. I will ascend into heaven. I will exalt. Notice all these eyes as well. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will also sit on the Mount of the congregation on the further side of the north. I will ascend. Again, that upward movement, that pride, that arrogance, that puffiness. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. I will be like the Most High. All those I statements. Notice those statements that I shared at the beginning. How many of those were I statements? I think I know better. I know exactly what's going on in this life. I like things done this way.

Often when we use these I's in our conversation with others or in our thoughts, it may not be too far away from how Satan elevated his thoughts and himself here using all these I statements in Isaiah chapter 14. In verse 15, though, of Isaiah 14 verse 15, it says, Yet you shall be brought down to show to the lowest depths of the pit. We see another description of Satan in Ezekiel 28 and verse 12.

Ezekiel 28 and verse 12. Ezekiel 28 and verse 12. It says, Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre and say to him, Thus says the Lord God, you were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone was your covering. And it then goes to the other side of the temple. And it says, Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre and say to him, Thus says the Lord God, every precious stone was your covering. And it then goes through all these stones. And at the end, it says, of verse 13, The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day that you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers. I established you. You were on the holy mountain of God. You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created. Till iniquity was found in you. By the abundance of your trading, you became filled with violence within, and you sinned. Therefore, I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the mists of the fiery stones. Your heart was lifted up. Again, this is to be high, exalted, to be arrogant, saying your heart was lifted up because of your beauty. You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground. I laid you before kings that they may gaze at you. You defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your trading. Therefore, I brought fire from your mitts. It devoured you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all who saw you. All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you. You have become a horror, and you shall be no more forever.

These two passages really shine and open our eyes to understanding things that occurred most likely before this earth was ever created and mankind was ever made by God. This attitude, this turning from God's plan and desire for Lucifer's life into where he made his choice and to go against God. Again in verse 14, it says, You were that anointed cherub. I established you. Do we ever consider how God has called us to his way of truth? The knowledge that you and I understand, the truth that we know from Scripture, isn't something because we're great. It's not about what we've done in our past. It's not about how much we've studied or all these things. God has called us to him. He drew us to him. He opened our minds so that we can understand his word. As much as maybe in a similar fashion, as much as God established Lucifer for the purpose, God has called you and me to be his children. And he's opened our eyes, as again, to this truth that we have, this way of life that we live, this attitude that we're to demonstrate, this behavior that we're to emulate of our Lord and Savior. Does pride sit below the surface in our lives, damaging everything that God has called us to do and the way that he's called us to operate in our lives? It can. It can do great damage. Satan may be blinded to his own pride, and he may completely believe that he knows more than God knows. But rest assured, he completely understands and knows the damaging effects of pride in our lives. And he knows how to trigger thoughts and emotions within us to our own detriment and to the detriment of others around us.

Let's see some of the damaging effects of pride and consider how Satan is stirring the pot behind the scenes on so many things going on in the world and in our lives. Let's turn to James 4 in verse 1.

Because an important aspect about identifying pride in our lives is recognizing that Satan loves to use this tool. He loves to keep it just below the surface, not so we can see it and say, Oh no, I now have to deal with the pride that's in my life. I now have to work on this. I now have to pray about this. I now have to go apologize to people. No, no, no. Satan doesn't want us to do any of those things. He wants us to be just below the surface, this pride, so that we don't acknowledge it. We don't try to change. Because if we don't, then damage is done, not only to us, but to the relationships that we have. Notice what James says here in chapter 4 in verse 1. Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure, that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war, yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulters and adultresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain that the Spirit which dwells in us yearns jealously? But he gives more grace. Therefore, he says, God resists the proud. God turns from the proud, it says, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, submit to God, and he includes this important thought, resist the devil and he will flee from you. So these fights, these wars, this covetousness that we can have in our lives, Satan uses this against us. Satan uses our pride, and so the Apostle James says, resist the devil and he will flee from you. Let's turn to 1 Peter 5 and verse 5 to consider another aspect of how Satan sits behind the scenes causing problems in the lives of humans. 1 Peter 5 and verse 5.

This one's reference to the younger people, but to all of us. We're all young. I'm always going to be young, so this is for me too. 1 Peter 5 and verse 5. He says, Likewise, you younger people. Notice this is a different Apostle. This is Peter. But notice how the thoughts are similar. Likewise, you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another and be clothed with humility. For God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. That same phrase, again, quoted from Proverbs 3 and verse 34. Both of those passages quotes Proverbs 3 and verse 34. He goes on to say, Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon him, for he cares for you. Be sober. Be diligent. Because your adversary, the devil, and notice bringing Satan back into this, he says, we got to acknowledge where a lot of these thoughts and attitudes come from. Because your adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Verse 90 says, Resist him. Fight against him. Push back on these influences that come in. Resist him. Steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. It's amazing. I mean, we have to acknowledge that both James and Peter admonished the listener to resist Satan. These attitudes that are displayed come from that pride that we harbor in our lives. And Satan loves to use this pride and then to create conflict and wars, lusting and covetousness. These unrighteous acts that we see all around us in society. But do we also see these attitudes and behaviors at times in our lives?

If pride has developed a stronghold in your or my life, then it must be broken down. As you remember a sermon from three weeks ago, we looked at how strongholds can be broken down. And we looked at this passage. Just turn in 2 Corinthians 10 and verse 3. As a reminder of that sermon and as a reminder of how these things have to be broken down, let's turn to 2 Corinthians 10 and verse 3.

And again, referencing the spiritual aspects that we struggle against, that we fight against, that we war against. Not just the physical, but the spiritual elements that go on.

2 Corinthians 10 and verse 3. It says, It sounds a lot like pride. How pride lifts us up, puffs us up, makes us think greater and better of ourselves. And Paul's saying here that we can be mighty in God, casting down arguments in every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. It's another passage in Romans 12 and verse 3. Let's turn to next.

Romans 12 and verse 3. And again, the apostle Paul shares this thought.

Paul's saying here that we can't lift up our attitudes, our callings, our the ways that we serve within the congregations, the way that we serve in our communities. We can't lift ourselves up and think more highly of ourselves because, well, I do this, and my neighbor here, they don't do quite as well as I do at this.

We can't think that way because he's saying as a family, as a church, we have many members in one body, but we don't all serve the same function. We acknowledge that, but does pride then come in and say, but yeah, I hear that, but look at how I serve. Look at what I do. Look at who I visited this week. Look at how many phone calls I made this week. I'm making the most phone calls out of anybody in this congregation. Not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, or to be vain or arrogant. Paul says here in Romans 12 and verse 3, it's a dangerous, sneaky way that pride can influence our thoughts. As we continue through chapter 12, let's jump to verse 9. Here we see a good list for self-examination at this time of the year. If you're looking for a list or considering another list to complement your study this year, Romans 12 and verse 9 starts another good list. My Bible heading says, Mark said the true Christian. Romans 12 and verse 9, let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another and with brotherly love, in honor, giving preference to one another. Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Rejoicing and hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of saints, given to hospitality. He's going through this whole list of all these things that are important. So those phone calls to others, they're important. Make them. The visits that you do, the cards that you send, keep signing them, keep visiting people. They're important. Do it. But he's getting at this other aspect as we continue to go. What is the source of why we do these things? What is the heart behind our attitude and our actions? Because when we do these things and we go through this list, we realize this is the heart of God. This is the heart of Jesus Christ that is within us. He goes on to say, Bless those who persecute you in verse 14. Bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind towards one another. And here's where pride comes in again and reference to pride. Do not set your mind on high things, these hottie things, this elevated things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Again, remember those statements, I know better how to do this. I can't believe that this person would say that or behave this way. It says, Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. Therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink, for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. And then we get to the marching orders of this passage, verse 21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. I open today's sermon by looking at the Gospel account and the parable of the Pharisee of the tax collector. And I feel it would be good to conclude again with that same passage. So let's again turn our Bibles back to Luke 18 and verse 9.

Luke 18 verse 9, and we'll read this account again. Because when I read this account again after praying over and letting God lead this message and considering and the study this week, this passage kind of hit me a little bit differently between the eyes than it did the first time. Kind of like that 2x4 across the forehead. Let's read this again considering the aspects that pride can have in our life, considering the way that our Lord and Savior served humanity and not only coming down to be human like we are, but then ultimately in service and compassion to humans that he interacted with, and ultimately in giving his life. And that's considered as a pride that sits just below the surface in our lives, influencing what we do and how we do it. And let's read this passage. Luke 18 again in verse 9. And he spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others. Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, and even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I possess. Do you think there's just a little bit of pride in this Pharisee's mind? Verse 13. And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not say so much as raised his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. The Life Application Study Bible says this about this parable. The Pharisee did not go to the temple to pray to God, but to announce to all within earshot how good he was. The tax collector went recognizing his sin, though, and begging for mercy. Self-righteousness is dangerous. It leads to pride. It causes a person to despise others, and it prevents him or her from learning anything from God. The tax collector's prayer should be our prayer because we all need God's mercy every day. Don't let pride in your achievements cut you off from God. The Thoughts of the Bible Day by Day reference, which is by Frederick Brother Tim Meyer, says this about the passage, the parable we just read. That it never be forgotten that those who will be justified and stand accepted for God before God are those who are nothing in their own estimate. To be self-empty and poor in spirit is the fundamental and indispensable preparation for receiving the grace of God. We think that children must grow up to become like us before they are eligible to the kingdom. Nay, we must grow down to become like them in simplicity, in humility, and in faith. And then Matthew Henry's concise commentary shares this. God sees with what disposition and design we come to Him in holy ordinances. What the Pharisees said shows that He trusted to Himself that He was righteous. Let us beware of presenting proud devotions to the Lord and of despising others. The publican's address to God was full of humility and of repentance for sin and desire towards God. His prayer was short but to the purpose. God, be merciful to me, a sinner.