Jun. 13, 2021

• Pride is dangerously destructive.

• Pride is difficult to detect.

The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.         Proverbs 16:5 

All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance …                            Proverbs 8:13 NLT

“Pride is your greatest enemy. Humility is your greatest friend.”    —John Stott

… And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.    1 Peter 5:5-6 NLT

Sinful pride is an elevation of self above others. At its core, it is a denial of our deep and unending need for God.

3 TYPES OF SINFUL PRIDE

1.  “I’m better than you” pride. 
   To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14 

2.  “I can handle it” pride. 

3.  “It doesn’t apply to me” pride. 

…“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 1 Peter 5:5-6 NLT

“… For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:14