DEALING WITH PRIDE

 

 

Welcome to this lesson on pride.  As you may already know, pride is a major force in our world today.  You can see it on display at home, on the job and maybe even in your own life.  If this is the case then you already know what difficulties it brings.  The word of God has little to say about pride that is positive.  However, there is another way.  The other way is much better and produces much greater and long-lasting results.  In looking at this subject I will again refer to the source of truth, the Word of God for answers regarding pride and its’ effects.  Also, I would like to recommend the study titled “Dealing With Insecurity.”  This lesson parallels this study because pride and insecurity go together.  Having said that, let’s get started!

 

Pride 

 

“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2

 

“Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” Proverbs 13:10

 

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

 

Pride is revealed in these verses as an element of human attitude that is destructive and negative.  Isn’t this contrary to the way the world looks at things?  It is true, the word of God does not line up with the ways of the world.   However, some day the world will be gone but the word of God will still be around.

 

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35

 

Pride is a false image of the real you and therefore can do nothing to bless you.  Oh, you may fool some people to get what you want but rest assured they will find out in due time what you really are and then you will go down in their eyes.  Pride is so destructive because it leads a man or woman into living a lie.  I know, we are getting pretty heavy right at the first but the only way to deal with this subject is to get right to the point.  You can be free from the negative effects of pride and I pray that this lesson will help you to that end.

 

Question #1.  What is your reaction to the scriptures above that deal with pride?

 

David the Conqueror

 

Great men are not truly great because of their abilities and strengths, but are renown often times because they have overcome their inner weaknesses and character flaws.  King David is just such a story.  David was known as a warrior in battle, he was known as a leader of leaders and a man who was fearless in the face of great trouble.  To say that he was an achiever would be an understatement.  David was a man’s man and a leader of leaders.  He started out at a very young age as a leader and fighter.

 

“And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: [35] And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.” 1 Samuel 17:34-35

 

Here he is admitting to killing a bear and a lion while tending his father’s sheep.  This was done when he was just a boy.  As time went on, David’s feats included but were not limited to killing a nine foot giant named Goliath with a sling and a stone, defeating the enemies of his country on numerous occasions, marrying the King’s daughter and being free from taxes because of these personal accomplishments.  To say it mildly, David was a one of a kind man.  Also, if we look at his right hand men, (the men who followed him) we can see even more about this amazing man.  They are listed in 2Samuel 23:8-39.  Some of them who are listed include Adino who fought against 8oo men with only a spear and killed them all!  Eleazar who went against the enemy and the people followed him only to spoil.  Shammah defended a piece of ground when everyone else had fled and defeated the enemy by himself. 

 

The scriptures list thirty-seven men of such caliber who were David’s followers.  They could hit a target within the width of a hair with a sling and a stone; they could fight with any weapons and were men of supreme physical strength and ability.  Yet, when David their leader came into the room there was a presence about him that exceeded and surpassed these great men who followed him.  He was strong, wise, agile, very capable and to top it off he was filled with pride.  Unfortunately he could have done even more things in his life had he not succumbed to it (pride). 

 

David grew up knowing the Lord and his power but somewhere in the accomplishments of life he forgot where his strength and abilities came from.  He trusted in himself, which put him on the fast track to trouble and heartache.  Even though he had conquered and defeated many an enemy, there was one accomplishment he had yet to do, conquer himself.  Most of the time, the greatest battle is not with those things on the outside of us, but those things on the inside.  Areas of attitudes and desires that are not right can often be the greatest challenge.

 

Question #2.  What are some attitudes that you can think of which hurt us?  Explain if you can.

 

The Result of Pride

 

When we look at David and his life we will see what happens when pride rules.  As we have noted before, David had a total of thirty-seven men who followed him.  These were great men of honor and ability.  As we look at the list we see that the last man was Uriah the Hittite.

 

“Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.” 2 Samuel 23:39

 

Somewhere, somehow this man became a trusted captain in David’s leadership team.  He was loyal and trustworthy.  He was a man of integrity and honor who would never think of doing harm to David.  He had something else of great value, something he loved very much, His beautiful wife Bathsheba.  Uriah had only this one wife and David on the other hand had many wives.  He was king and could choose whomever he wanted.  [Note: This was the way they did things in the Old Testament.]  Yet, because of his pride he desired something that was not lawful for him to have.  He saw this woman as something that he had not conquered.  He wasn’t thinking of the trouble it would cause him and his nation, he simply did what came natural to him he went for it.  At the convenient time when Uriah was in battle fighting for his king and his country, David committed adultery with her and thought the matter was closed.  In time however she sent word to him that she was with child because of their sin and David went into full pride mode. 

 

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

 

Cover-up was the only solution and he sent for Uriah to come home and spend some time with his wife.  David was hoping that Uriah would sleep with his wife and he could say that the child was Uriahs’.  The only thing David didn’t figure on was the law of God standing true.  Uriah came home but because of his character and honesty he would not go in to his house.  He slept at the door of the kings house.  He could not enjoy the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers were fighting on the battlefield.  David became panicked and sent for Uriah and made him drink wine till he was intoxicated figuring that he surely would go home and sleep with his wife.  To the contrary however, Uriah did not go home.  David then made a decision to ultimately cover up his sins and he sent Uriah back to the battlefield with a sealed note.

 

“And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.” 2 Samuel 11:15

 

A widow was made by the intentional decision of a man filled with his pride.  Destruction of the innocent took place because someone thought more highly of themselves than they should have.  Uriah probably died thinking that he had not heard the call for retreat and figured himself for a failure.  At home there was weeping and heartache as Bathsheba grieved over her husband’s death.  In heaven God was angry and sent the prophet to David to confront him with his sins.  Judgment came to David and even more people died because of this tragic event.  Was it worth it?  Was all of this worth one night of pleasure?  Of course the answer is NO.  When David was confronted we see him come to a place of genuine repentance and sorrow.

 

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

 

Unlike his predecessor king Saul, who made excuses for his sin and was ultimately rejected as king, David quickly understood the situation and asked God for forgiveness.  We know that his repentance was genuine because it is not recorded that he ever did anything remotely close to this again.  His life had changed when he encountered Gods’ judgment first and then Gods’ grace.

 

“And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord.” 2 Samuel 12:13

 

Question #3.  Do you deal with pride?  Can you see yourself in the life of David the king?

 

The Way Out

 

There is just one way to be free from pride and its’ destructive ways.  First, we need to recognize and believe that we are nothing in ourselves. 

 

“For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” 1 Cor. 4:7

 

If you can look through the King James English here you will see that Paul is saying that everything we have has come from somewhere beside ourself.  At first, this may seem untrue but a closer examination will reveal that it is in fact, true.  Where did we get our education?  From someone else.  Where did we get our intelligence?  From the creator.  Why are we living in America where there is opportunity for prosperity and freedom?  Someone else dictated that.  This should be a humbling experience when we realize that everything, and I mean everything has come to us, even our very life itself.  When we see this truth it should make us humble and not proud.  Jesus spoke of this in the beatitudes.

 

 “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

 

Being poor in spirit means the very thing I have been talking about here.  It is an understanding that changes us into a humble person.  In fact the real way up in this life and the life to come is humility.

 

”For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 14:11

 

Exalteth:  Pride.  Humbleth:  Bring down low.  In Gods’ kingdom the way up is down and the way down is up.  I hope you caught that because it is very important.  The only way up is through a humble attitude.  The way down is through an attitude of pride.

 

“For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Isaiah 66:2

 

God is literally attracted to humble people.  He is the source of all blessings and when you draw close to him you will be blessed.  The only way to draw close to him is through a humble spirit.

 

Question #4.  In your own words describe how pride brings someone low and humility brings someone up.

 

Conclusion

 

In concluding this very short lesson let me say that there is a way to escape the destructive lifestyle of pride.  Jesus came to set us free from all vises and issues that can affect us.  Through the power of his Spirit we can experience a new life free from pride.  Peter preached the message that is still changing lives today.

 

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38

 

The very first thing you to do is repent of pride.  This simply means, acknowledge it as a sin and ask God for forgiveness from it.  Then, through the water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ pride will be washed away.  Sound good?  It should because living life in pride brings destructive ways and tendencies.  Then Peter said we would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost!  This is Christ in you, giving you the power to be free from pride.  There is a way out and God has it for you personally.  He has victory and joy through his salvation from sin and its’ destruction.

 

Question #5  Has this lesson helped you to get started down the road of deliverance?  If so, would you like more information that can help you?

 

Thank you for going through this lesson.  I trust it has been a blessing to you.  If it has, tell a friend.  If you would like to contact someone in your area please let us know we will give you a way to contact them. May God richly bless you. Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you come back soon.

 

Sincerely,

 

Greg Wirths

 

Focus on Freedom

 

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