"But He giveth more grace, wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble." — James 4:6
Pride is the original sin. It was by appealing to pride that Satan lured Eve into direct disobedience to God and, of course, it was the sin that transformed Satan himself from an Angel of light into the prince of darkness. Pride, in fact, is the great motivator in this world's economy: "be more," have more, do more.
Satan, discontent with his divinely created glory, aspired to "be like the most High." Adam, at Satan's suggestion, would "be as god." King of the world, Adam was not content to enjoy his God-given position under Divine administration and authority, but deemed himself worthy of more, capable of more. Pride is that sense of self-importance that creates envy and independence, and drives competition and antagonism when we "don't get what we deserve," or suffer what we are sure we do not deserve.
As another has pointed out, pride tops the list of the seven sins God hates, and it has astonishing company: "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren [Prov. 6:16-19]." The emphasis continues; "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord… [Prov. 16:5]," and, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud [Prov. 16:18-19]."
It is pride that keeps the unsaved from seeking the Lord. Seeing themselves as sufficient unto themselves, they have no need of, nor desire for God. David put it this way: "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts [Ps. 10:4]." Assured of their own righteousness and self sufficiency, they despise the gospel and the God Who offers salvation to the lost, and go their "own way" to destruction.
It is regrettable, but true, that the sin of pride, which sponsors other sins, is not confined to the unsaved. Study the history of Israel, that great object lesson for New Testament believers, and note how pride removed her from divine favor, and accounts for much of the misery she suffers even to this day. Our churches today are far too often the victims of pride; sometimes in the pulpit, no less often in the pew. A pastor friend of mine quotes often Proverbs 13:10, "Only by pride cometh contention… [Prov. 13:10]," and it is true. The strife that has brought many a church to ruin is the result of pride in the hearts of those who should be emulating the One "Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant… and humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross [Phil. 2:6-7]." Those who ought to be seeking the salvation of the world are, instead, supplying it with "excuses" for not believing the gospel. (cf. Rom. 2:24)
"Grace" is not given to the proud; they are resisting God, and He is resisting them. There are professing Christians reading this today who need to humble themselves "under the mighty hand of God," and make room for His grace to restore them to usefulness in the kingdom of God. And there are unconverted souls who may read this today who need to recognize their spiritual bankruptcy and trust the Savior for the grace of life. Each needs to remember that "God gives grace to the humble."
"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit."
[Prov. 29:23]."
It may not seem so now, but remember; the last chapter has yet to be written!
For our eternal good,
"Pastor" Frasier
Pride is the original sin. It was by appealing to pride that Satan lured Eve into direct disobedience to God and, of course, it was the sin that transformed Satan himself from an Angel of light into the prince of darkness. Pride, in fact, is the great motivator in this world's economy: "be more," have more, do more.
Satan, discontent with his divinely created glory, aspired to "be like the most High." Adam, at Satan's suggestion, would "be as god." King of the world, Adam was not content to enjoy his God-given position under Divine administration and authority, but deemed himself worthy of more, capable of more. Pride is that sense of self-importance that creates envy and independence, and drives competition and antagonism when we "don't get what we deserve," or suffer what we are sure we do not deserve.
As another has pointed out, pride tops the list of the seven sins God hates, and it has astonishing company: "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren [Prov. 6:16-19]." The emphasis continues; "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord… [Prov. 16:5]," and, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud [Prov. 16:18-19]."
It is pride that keeps the unsaved from seeking the Lord. Seeing themselves as sufficient unto themselves, they have no need of, nor desire for God. David put it this way: "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts [Ps. 10:4]." Assured of their own righteousness and self sufficiency, they despise the gospel and the God Who offers salvation to the lost, and go their "own way" to destruction.
It is regrettable, but true, that the sin of pride, which sponsors other sins, is not confined to the unsaved. Study the history of Israel, that great object lesson for New Testament believers, and note how pride removed her from divine favor, and accounts for much of the misery she suffers even to this day. Our churches today are far too often the victims of pride; sometimes in the pulpit, no less often in the pew. A pastor friend of mine quotes often Proverbs 13:10, "Only by pride cometh contention… [Prov. 13:10]," and it is true. The strife that has brought many a church to ruin is the result of pride in the hearts of those who should be emulating the One "Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant… and humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross [Phil. 2:6-7]." Those who ought to be seeking the salvation of the world are, instead, supplying it with "excuses" for not believing the gospel. (cf. Rom. 2:24)
"Grace" is not given to the proud; they are resisting God, and He is resisting them. There are professing Christians reading this today who need to humble themselves "under the mighty hand of God," and make room for His grace to restore them to usefulness in the kingdom of God. And there are unconverted souls who may read this today who need to recognize their spiritual bankruptcy and trust the Savior for the grace of life. Each needs to remember that "God gives grace to the humble."
"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit."
[Prov. 29:23]."
It may not seem so now, but remember; the last chapter has yet to be written!
For our eternal good,
"Pastor" Frasier
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