Pride, Self-Righteousness and Humility
1. WHAT DOES GOD THINK ABOUT PRIDE?
A. He hates it:
Proverbs 6:16–17 These … doth the Lord hate: a proud look
Proverbs 16:5 Every one that is proud … is an abomination to Lord
B. We should hate it too:
Proverbs 8:13 Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
C. Pride is a sin, not a virtue:
Proverbs 21:4 An high look, and a proud heart … is sin
Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright
1 John 2:16 Pride … is not of the Father, but is of the world
2. WHY IS IT WRONG FOR US TO BE PROUD?
A. Because only God is great; we are not:
Psalm 66:5–7 Come and see the works of God … he ruleth … let not the rebellious exalt themselves
Psalm 97:9 Thou, Lord, art high … exalted far above all
Ezekiel 28:2 Thine heart is lifted up … yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as … God
Philippians 2:9–10 God hath highly exalted him [Jesus], and given him a name above every name … every knee should bow
(See also Psalm 21:13; 57:5,11; 108:5; Isaiah 2:11,17.)
B. God alone should get the glory:
Acts 12:20–23 Angel … smote him, because he gave not God the glory
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whatsoever ye do, do all the glory of God
(See also Jeremiah 9:23–24; 1 Corinthians 1:28–29.)
C. Pride makes us ignore and forget God:
Deuteronomy 8:14 [When] thine heart be lifted up … thou forget the Lord
Psalm 10:4 The wicked, through … pride … will not seek after God
Hosea 13:6 Heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me
D. God will distance Himself from and resist the proud:
Psalm 138:6 The proud [God] knoweth afar off
James 4:6 God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto humble
E. Pride makes us rebel against the Word:
Nehemiah 9:16–17,29 They dealt proudly … and hearkened not to thy [word]
F. It gives us an exaggerated sense of greatness:
Obadiah 1:3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, that saith, who shall bring me down?
Romans 12:3 [Thinking] of himself more highly than he ought to
Galatians 6:3 If a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself
G. It creates self-exaltation and a desire to be honoured:
Proverbs 25:27 For men to search their own glory is not glory
Matthew 23:5–7 [The proud Pharisees] love … greetings [in public], and to be called [Master, Master]
Mark 12:38–39 Scribes … love … chief seats … and uppermost rooms
Jude 1:16 Their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration
H. When we seek to please men, we often displease God:
1 Samuel 15:30 I have sinned: [but] honour me … before the [people]
John 5:44 Ye … receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only
John 12:43 They loved praise of men more than the praise of God
Galatians 1:10 If I pleased men … not be the servant of Christ
I. Pride makes us think we are “wise”:
Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord
1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any … seemeth wise
1 Corinthians 8:2 If any think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing ye as he ought to know
J. Pride gives us a “know-it-all” attitude:
Psalm 131:1 [The haughty exercise themselves in great matters, in things too high for them]
Proverbs 26:12 Seest thou a man “wise” in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him
(See also 1 Timothy 1:7.)
K. Pride causes arguments:
Proverbs 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention
Proverbs 28:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife
(See also Proverbs 14:3; 21:24.)
L. Prides corrupts us:
Mark 7:22–23 Pride [comes] from within, and defiles the man
M. Pride will bring about our downfall:
Proverbs 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall
Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty
Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride shall bring him low
Ezekiel 28:12–17 [The fall of Satan happened because he exalted himself in pride] (See also Isaiah 14:12–15.)
Daniel 5:18,20–21 God gave Nebuchadnezzar … majesty … and honour: But when his heart was lifted up … he was deposed
1 Corinthians 10:12 Him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall
3. SOME CAUSES OF PRIDE:
A. Beauty:
Ezekiel 28:17 Thine heart is lifted up because of thy beauty
B. Material abundance:
Deuteronomy 8:12–14 Lest when thou … art full … and all that thou hast is multiplied; then thine heart be lifted up
Ezekiel 28:5 Thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches
Hosea 13:6 They were filled, and their heart was exalted
C. Being overly secure:
Psalm 73:5–6 They are not in trouble as other men … therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain
D. Being overly affected by exaltation:
2 Chronicles 26:15–16 He was marvelously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up
Daniel 11:11–12 [Victory over enemies causes heart to be lifted up]
1 Timothy 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall
4. WARNINGS AGAINST PRIDE:
A. We should avoid proud boasting:
1 Samuel 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth
Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth
2 Corinthians 10:18 Not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth
B. We shouldn’t exalt ourselves:
Proverbs 25:6–7 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men
Luke 14:10 When thou art bidden … sit down in the lowest room
C. If we’re proud, we’re in a dangerous position:
Psalm 18:27 Thou [God] wilt bring down high looks
Proverbs 15:25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud
Ecclesiastes 7:16 Be not righteous over much [overly righteous] … why shouldst thou destroy thyself?
Jeremiah 48:25–26,29 [Exceeding proud, lofty, arrogant, haughty Moabites magnified selves against God and were destroyed]
5. WHY IS IT WRONG TO THINK THAT WE—IN OURSELVES—ARE GOOD AND RIGHTEOUS?
A. Because we are not:
Job 15:14–16 What is man, that he should be clean? … righteous? … the heavens are not clean in his sight. How much more abominable and filthy is man
Psalm 130:3 If thou shouldest mark iniquities, who shall stand?
Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure?
Ecclesiastes 7:20 There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not
Isaiah 64:6 We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags
Romans 3:10,23 There is none righteous, no, not one … all have sinned
Romans 7:18 In me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing
B. Only God is good:
Job 9:2 But how should man be just with God?
Psalm 71:16 I will make mention of thy righteousness, thine only
Matthew 19:17 There is none good but one, that is, God
C. Doing so causes us to be lifted up in pride:
Proverbs 30:12–13 [They] are pure in their own eyes … O how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up
Luke 18:11 God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men … unjust
D. It separates us from God:
Job 13:16 An hypocrite shall not come before him
Romans 10:3 They … going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted unto the righteousness of God
E. It makes us unable to see our sins:
Job 32:1 Job … was righteous in his own eyes (See also Proverbs 16:2; 21:2.)
Proverbs 30:12 A generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness
Luke 6:41–42 Why perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
John 9:41 Ye say, “We see”; therefore your sin remaineth
F. True righteousness means trusting God:
Galatians 3:6 Abraham believed God, it was accounted … righteousness
Philippians 3:9 Not having mine own righteousness … but … of God
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us
6. WHY IS IT WRONG TO THINK THAT WE—IN OURSELVES—ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS?
A. Because we’re not:
John 8:7 He that is without sin … let him first cast a stone
Romans 3:23 All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
B. A proud attitude displeases and angers God:
Isaiah 65:5 [They] say, “I am holier than thou.” These are a smoke in my [God’s] nose
Luke 16:15 Ye are they which justify yourselves … but … that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination [to] God
C. It makes us despise and be unmerciful to others:
Matthew 23:29 Ye have omitted the weightier matters … mercy
Luke 18:9 [They] trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others
Luke 18:11 God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are … unjust … or even as this publican [tax collector]
(See also Matthew 9:13.)
D. We only are what we are by God’s grace:
1 Corinthians 4:7 Who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive?
1 Corinthians 15:10 By the grace of God I am what I am
2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves
7. THE HUMBLING OF THE PROUD:
A. God can—and does—humble the proud:
Genesis 11:1–8 [Men were building the tower of Babel in pride, so God confused and scattered them]
1 Samuel 13:8–14 [Saul presumed to offer the sacrifice without waiting for Samuel, and lost the kingdom as a result]
2 Chronicles 32:24–25 Heart was lifted up: therefore … wrath [was] upon him
Job 33:15–17 [God works on our hearts at night to remove pride]
Psalm 101:5 Him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer [allow to continue]
Isaiah 2:11–12 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down … every one that is proud and lofty … shall be brought low
Isaiah 13:11 I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease
Daniel 4:30–35 [King Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up in pride, was deposed by God, abased as a beast, and learned humility]
Daniel 4:37 Those that walk in pride he is able to abase
Daniel 5:20–21 When his … mind [was] hardened in pride … was deposed
2 Corinthians 12:7 Lest I [Paul] should be exalted above measure … there was given to me a thorn in the flesh
(See also Jeremiah 50:31–32; Obadiah 1:4.)
B. It is a spiritual law: If we’re proud, we will be humbled:
Matthew 23:12 Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased
Luke 14:11 Whosever exalteth himself shall be abased
Luke 18:14 Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased
C. Being humbled teaches us that God is in charge:
Job 42:1–6 [After being humbled, Job said:] I know that thou canst do every thing … I … repent
Daniel 4:32–35 Eat grass … until thou know that the most High ruleth
8. WHY WE SHOULD WANT TO BE HUMBLE:
A. Because God loves and delights in the humble:
Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise
Psalm 138:6 The Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly
1 Peter 3:4 A meek and quiet spirit … is in the sight of God of great price
1 Peter 5:5 God … giveth grace to the humble
B. He is close to the humble:
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart
Isaiah 57:15 The high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity [dwells] with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit
C. He requires us to be humble:
Micah 6:8 What doth the Lord require … walk humbly with thy God
Colossians 3:12 Put on, as the elect of God … humbleness of mind
D. Humility brings honour and blessing:
Proverbs 22:4 By humility … are riches, and honour, and life
Proverbs 29:23 Honour shall uphold the humble spirit
E. If we are humble, God will exalt us:
Matthew 23:12 He that shall humble himself shall be exalted
Luke 1:52 He put down the mighty … and exalted them of low degree
F. God helps the humble:
Psalm 9:12 He forgetteth not the cry of the humble
Psalm 25:9 The meek will he guide … and meek will he teach his way
Psalm 34:18 The Lord … saveth such as be of a contrite spirit
Psalm 147:6 The Lord lifteth up the meek: He casteth wicked down
Isaiah 57:15 [I] revive spirit of the humble, and heart of contrite ones
Luke 1:48 He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden
1 Peter 5:5 God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble
G. Humility can spare us from trouble:
1 Kings 21:17,25–29 [Wicked king Ahab humbled himself before God, so God didn’t bring judgement during his lifetime]
2 Chronicles 32:26 Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart … so that the wrath of the Lord came not
H. God gives the humble true wisdom:
Proverbs 11:2 [Pride causes shame] but with the lowly is wisdom
1 Corinthians 3:18 Let him become a fool, that he may be wise
(See also Luke 10:21.)
I. Humility is true greatness in God’s eyes:
Ecclesiastes 7:8 The patient in spirit is better than proud in spirit
Matthew 18:4 Whosoever shall humble himself is greatest in the kingdom of heaven
Matthew 19:30 The last shall be first
Mark 10:43 Whosoever will be great … shall be your minister
Luke 22:26 He that is greatest … let him be as the younger
J. God uses and exalts the humble:
1 Samuel 15:17 When thou wast little in thine own sight … the Lord
Proverbs 15:33 Before honour is humility
James 4:10 Humble yourselves … and he shall lift you up
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves … that he may exalt you in due time
K. Other blessings upon the meek:
Psalm 37:11 The meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight
Psalm 149:4 The Lord … will beautify the meek with salvation
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth
9. KEEPING A HUMBLE ATTITUDE:
A. Remind yourself that anything good is only Jesus, not you:
Genesis 41:15–16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer
Daniel 2:26–30 God … revealeth secrets. But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have
1 Corinthians 4:7 What hast thou that thou didst not receive [from God]? Why dost thou glory?
1 Corinthians 15:9–10 I am not meet [worthy] to be called an apostle … but by the grace of God I am what I am
2 Corinthians 10:17 He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord (See also Jeremiah 9:23–24.)
Galatians 6:14 God forbid I should glory, save in the cross of Jesus
(See also Romans 2:11; Galatians 6:3.)
B. Read and obey the Word:
Deuteronomy 17:19–20 [Read and obey the Word, so that your] heart be not lifted up
C. Realistically admit your limitations:
Romans 12:3 [Don’t] think of [yourself] more highly than [you] ought to think; but think soberly
Romans 12:16 Be not wise in your own conceits
10. HUMILITY WITH ONE ANOTHER:
A. Follow Jesus’ example of humility:
Matthew 21:5 Thy King [Jesus] cometh unto thee, meek … upon an ass
Luke 22:27 He that sitteth at meat [is greater] … but I am among you as he that serveth
John 13:5,12–15 He began to wash the disciples’ feet, and wipe them … I have given you an example, that ye should do as I
Philippians 2:5–8 Let this mind be in you … Jesus made himself of no reputation … [became] a servant … humbled himself
B. Other examples of true humility:
1 Samuel 25:40–41 [Abigail, when asked to marry David, said:] Let [me] be a servant to wash the feet of [his] servants
Mark 7:25–30 [Syrophenician woman said:] Yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs
Luke 7:2–7 [Pharisees said:] he was worthy for whom he should do this. The centurion [said], I am not worthy
John 1:27 [Jesus’] shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose
C. Submit humbly to one another:
Luke 22:25–26 Kings … exercise lordship. But ye shall not be so. He that is greatest … let him be as the younger
Ephesians 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in fear of God
1 Peter 5:5 All of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud
D. Love and honour others:
Romans 12:10 With brotherly love; in honour preferring one another
Romans 12:16 Mind not high things, condescend to men of low estate
Romans 14:2–3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not
1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity [love] vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves
E. Be humble when pointing out other’s errors:
Luke 6:42 Cast out first the beam out of thine own eye
Galatians 6:1 Restore such an one in the spirit of meekness
2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves
11. THE SOLUTION:
A. Confess your faults and inabilities and humble yourself before God:
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves … under the mighty hand of God
B. Ask others to pray for you to overcome pride:
Matthew 18:19–20 If two of you shall agree [in prayer] it shall be done
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another
C. Examples of humbling oneself before God:
2 Samuel 24:2–4,8–10 [In pride, David took a census of his kingdom to see how great he was, then repented and sought mercy]
Job 40:1–5; 42:1–6 [Self-righteous Job—see 32:1; 35:2—humbled himself, confessed he was vile, and repented]
Psalm 51:1–4 I acknowledge my … sin … that thou mightiest be justified when thou speakest
Daniel 4:33–35,37 [King Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself and confessed that only God was great]
(See also 1 Samuel 9:21, about Saul; 2 Samuel 7:18, about David; 1 Kings 3:7, about Solomon; Matthew 3:14, about John the Baptist.)
12. SPECIAL PASSAGES:
1 Kings 12:1–16 [Rehoboam “answered the people roughly”]
2 Chronicles 26:14–23 [King Uzziah, “lifted up,” presumed to offer incense]
Daniel 4:all [Nebuchadnezzar’s pride, humiliation, and restoration]
Luke 18:9–14 [The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector]