The Sin of Pride

Text: Psalms 73:1-12

 

I.         Pride is prevalent in our society

            A.        Pride in our work

            B.        Pride in yourself - often called self-esteem

            C.        Pride in sin. We have a whole month called “Pride Month” to celebrate sin

            D.        Letters come addressed not just to the church, but to “Senior Pastor” or “Reverend”

II.        People have always wanted titles, to have others look up to them

            A.        III John 9 - Diotrephes loved to be looked up to

            B.        Matthew 23:1-12 - The Pharisees did everything to be seen by others

            C.        The disciples argued who was greatest - Luke 22:24-27

            D.        Nebuchadnezzar’s pride - Daniel 4:30

            E.        II Chronicles 32:24-26 - Hezekiah’s pride kept him from acknowledging God’s gift to him.

            F.        We see pride in all walks of life and in all sorts of situations

III.       The meaning of pride

            A.        Pride refers to exalting yourself; blowing your own horn; being arrogant, disdainful of others; high-minded.

            B.        Pride is the opposite of humility -- considering others as better than yourself - Philippians 2:3-8

                        1.         Christ shows humility. God takes on man’s form to die for man. Never once did Jesus trumpet who he was. Never once did he demand his “rights.”

                        2.         Paul, the least of the apostles - I Corinthians 15:9

                        3.         Saul, from an insignificant family - I Samuel 9:21

                        4.         David was a shepherd boy and the youngest son in a obscure family

                        5.         Abraham, just dust before God - Genesis 18:27

            C.        Strife is always associated with pride

                        1.         A proud person wants things done his way

                        2.         Without the willingness to give in for other’s sake, there is strife

                        3.         Proverbs 13:10 - Pride brings contention

                        4.         Proverbs 14:16 - The arrogant lack caution

                        5.         Proverbs 28:25 - Pride stirs up strife

            D.        Pride is a sin - Proverbs 21:4

                        1.         Habakkuk 2:4 - The proud is not upright

                        2.         Pride of life is not of God - I John 2:16

                        3.         A thing worthy of death - Romans 1:30

                        4.         Pride is the sin Satan is guilty of - I Timothy 3:6

IV.      The world boasts of its pride

            A.        “Look out for number one.” “I’m OK, your OK”

            B.        In perilous times men will be proud, headstrong, haughty - II Timothy 3:1-5

            C.        The humble are held in contempt by the proud - Psalms 123:4

            D.        Sometimes it looks as if it is a better way - Psalms 73

V.        The result of pride

            A.        Proverbs 11:2 - Pride brings shame

            B.        Proverbs 16:18 - Pride proceeds destruction

            C.        Luke 1:51 - God scatters the proud. Do you recall the tower of Babel?

            D.        James 4:6 - God resists the proud

VI.      Learn to be humble

            A.        I Peter 5:5-6 - Be submissive and clothed in humility

            B.        The Bible never uses pride in a good sense when applied to people’s view of themselves.

            C.        We all like complements. We want to think we are worth something. However, always consider others as more important.

            D.        Like too much sweets, seeking your own glory is not good for your spiritual health - Proverbs 25:27