Pride; The state or quality of being proud or having excessive self-esteem; conceit concerning ones talents, abilities, wealth, station, etc.; disdainful behavior; The personification of this condition is the first of the seven cardinal sins; to indulge in pride is self- glory. Beginning with the fall of man in Genesis, pride is viewed as the root and essence of sin; According to the bible, God hates pride because pride destroys people spiritually...
The most profound teaching on pride comes from the life and words of Jesus Christ. Jesus condemned racial pride, social pride and spiritual pride. Jesus urged his disciples to assume an attitude of childlike humility. His example is seen in his washing the feet of his disciples. You might ask where are all the humble spiritual leaders today? Good question.
Still, the bible warns against an attitude of pride.
The values and beliefs associated with Hollywood, New Agers and Humanistic psychologist, have been nurturing the sin of pride for years.
They are luring many into altered states of consciousness, whereby arrogance, self-sufficiency and selfishness have given rise to a " me" generation. One of the dangers of "building pride" is that it can generate a quest for self-esteem that can and will take a person in the direction of eventually enclosing oneself into a dream world, in which their "I" will grow as rampant as a forest of jungle vines. This can destroy a person, and alienate him from God.The dictatorial "I" becomes a constant bombardment of "what's in it for me"; becoming priority over God.
Self is exalted over God.
Jesus did not condemn an attitude of quite self-respect and dignity. Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves, implying not only that we are permitted a reasonable expression of self-love, but that love for others is impossible until we experience a measure of self-respect. Life itself teaches that a proud person is too pompous and haughty to bow humbly before his maker, confess his sins and submit himself to a life of service to God. A proud person is hateful to his fellowman, and disregards the feelings and needs of others.....
Pride will keep you from salvation and Satan knows it. Pride is in the argument that there is nothing wrong with me. I'm basically a good person. I'm O.K. What do I need salvation from? (This is Pride).
Yet God says all have sinned, and that even our best goodness cannot get us into heaven. We must believe that Jesus came and lived the perfect life for us and received our punishment for us. This is God's plan for man's salvation. It is a free gift from God. John 3;16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Yet it is not so easily accepted. Why?
Only Satan, the Father of all lies, can take what God says is evil (Pride) and make it appear normal, acceptable and even something to be desired.
Deception is perhaps Satan's most dangerous weapon.
Look to God's word and see what he says......King James Version (most other versions have altered this meaning).......
Psalms 10; 4.........the wicked through the PRIDE of his countenance, will not seek after God. God is never in their thoughts.
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.
Proverbs 14;3...In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of PRIDE.
Mark 7;22....... thefts, covetousness, wickedness,deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, PRIDE, foolishness; all these evil things come from within and defile the man.
1 John 2;16...for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the PRIDE of life, is not of God, but of the world.
In all, there are approximately 48 verses in the bible whereby God warns a person against PRIDE.
Synonymous with PRIDE in it's adjective form is the "state of being PROUD".
Proverbs 16;5....Everyone that is PROUD in heart is an abomination.
Proverbs 21;4...A high look and a PROUD heart and the plowing of the wicked is sin.
Jeremiah 13;15..... Hear ye and give ear; be not PROUD; for the Lord has spoken.
Psalms 138;6...Thou the Lord be high yet has he respect unto the humble, but the PROUD are far from him.
James 4;6...God resists the PROUD, but gives grace unto the humble.
Romans 1;30...backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, PROUD, boasters...
There are approximately 49 verses in the bible whereby God warns against an attitude of being PROUD.
Altogether there are more than 100 verses of warning
It is a wise thing to consider the words of one who rose from the dead.
Two men went up to pray. The PROUD one said, "God, I thank thee, that I am not like other men are. " He listed all his good qualities and was quite satisfied. He had a good eye for himself, a bad eye for his brother. The humble man prayed, "God, be merciful to me a sinner". Jesus said the humble man was justified; for everyone that exalts himself shall be abased; but he that humbles himself shall be exalted. The humble man may have had the courage of a conqueror, but he realized that he lacked something which only God could supply. Poverty of spirit is a key to God's kingdom.
"BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN"
When first heard by his disciples, these familiar words of Jesus sounded jolting and strange, for they greatly contrasted the expectations of the whole world (as they do today). But the poor in spirit have so emptied themselves of themselves (the PRIDE of their accomplishments and the selfishness of their desires) that the Spirit of God "has come into their emptiness". God has come into their lives; giving them meaning, direction and purpose in life....
Beginning with "Blessed are the poor in spirit", Jesus preached the values and beliefs of the Kingdonm of God......
Jesus taught......blessed are those who......(verse 3)....are poor in spirit(who look to God)
The world teaches.... blessed are those who are.......self-confident,trust in self
Jesus taught......blessed are those who...(verse 4)...mourn (those who are sorry for their sins)
The world teaches.... blessed are those who are.......seekers of pleasure
Jesus taught......blessed are those who (verse 5)....are meek
The world teaches.... blessed are those who are......proud, powerful,important
Jesus taught......blessed are those who......(verse 6)......seek after righteousness
The world teaches.... blessed are those who are.....satisfied with self
Jesus taught......blessed are those who.....(verse 8)....are pure in heart
The world teaches.... blessed are those who are......sophisticated, cultured, intellectual
Jesus taught......blessed are those who.....(verse 9)....are peacemakers
The world teaches.... blessed are those who are.....competitive, aggressive
Jesus taught......blessed are those who.....(verse10)....are persecuted for righteousness sake
The world teaches.... blessed are those who are.......adaptable, popular
These values and beliefs are what God himself preached.This "sermon on the mount" is for all who choose to follow Jesus. Implicit within this sermon is a rejection of the values and beliefs which lie at the core of all human civilizations.
It is difficult to live in our world and look at men and women who live by the world's standards; and not be affected.
For example, there is a natural tendency to admire the popular, successful, and self-reliant person. The natural man will envy his power and ability to indulge in the good things this world has to offer. It's only natural to want to be like him.
We also admire the world's, "beautiful people". Their sophistication, looks, pleasures, and importance is mesmerizing. The whole attractive package of their values and beliefs is appealing to us because we tend to associate them with fulfillment. To be like them becomes our dream.
However, God rejects such goals and proclaims in his "sermon on the mount",
that you will find fulfillment;
V3.....NOT in having faith in yourself, but in having faith in God;
V4...NOT in constantly seeking for pleasure, but in longing to know God;
V6.....NOT in seeking satisfaction for self, but in hungering for God's compassion and righteousness to be in your heart;
V9...NOT in seeking to become popular over other people, but in helping others win their way to the peace of Jesus Christ..
The Christian life is not built overnight, but over a lifetime.......It is only through many trials and tribulations, and possibly through many failings, that we can eventually come to the TRUE FULFILLMENT, found only in serving the Son of the Living God, Jesus Christ.
The "building of Pride", which can be built, will eventually collapse; The world can give you riches, beauty, talent, power, pride and fame; but without the peace of Jesus Christ, all these things will only bring torment and an empty heart.
Only Jesus can fill your heart.
No seminar teaching in the world, that teaches you how to win friends, influence people, or how to maximize the ultimate potential that is within you, will ever replace the simplicity of truth found in the teachings of Christ. (The greatest motivator of all is the forgiveness of sin.)
Matthew 16 V26; What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?...or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Isaiah 50 v11....Behold all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks; walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.
TRUST IN GOD NOT SELF !
COMPARE KINGS:
King Herod was a king who had absolute power over others, but he was powerless to control his own hatred and fears. So was Napoleon, Hitler, and Stalin; enslaving others brings the ruler no peace within.
Yet as King of Kings, Jesus taught we must gain power over our prejudice and hatred (not through eastern meditation practices, but through learning from God's word, the Bible). Only through learning from God's word can we find fulfillment. The power to humble ourselves comes only from Jesus Christ.
Outward glory and PRIDE are nothing compared to having peace within. In his humility Jesus was exalted above all men. Yet Satan in all his PRIDE and glory was cast down.
Isaiah 14;11-16.....Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols; the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. V12.......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! V13.....For thou has said in thine heart, I WILL ascend into heaven, I WILL exalt my throne above the stars of God; I WILL be like the MOST HIGH. V14...I WILL ascend above the heights of the clouds; V15...Yet thou shalt be brought down to HELL, to the sides of the pit. V16...They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, saying, IS THIS THE MAN THAT MADE THE EARTH TO TREMBLE, THAT DID SHAKE KINGDOMS ?
In seeking evidence of God's truth, do you look for startling, miraculous signs?...or men who are set apart from all other men, by their great glory? (Beware the leaven)
Why not look for the work of God through those who are "poor in spirit". A work of God that produces.... love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, MEEKNESS, faith, temperance.....the fruit of the Spirit
1Tim. 2:v2.....that we may lead a quiet & peaceable life in all godliness & honesty.
Only Satan, can promise you a shortcut to fulfillment. There can be no short cuts to FULFILLMENT. The peace and fulfillment of Jesus Christ lays at the foot of the CROSS. Yet, in serving the Lord, there is an inward joy that cannot be affected by outward circumstances.............
Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy,and my burden is light.{Matthew 11 v28-30}
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