Tag: pride

Pride

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

‘When pride comes, then comes shame.’ Six examples of shame through pride: Lucifer (Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-17); Miriam (Num. 12:10); Uzziah (2Chr. 26:16-21); Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 4:30); Moab (Zeph. 2:8-10); Ninevah (Zeph. 2:15).

Lucifer wanted to become like God at the expense of God and everyone else; this was extreme sinfulness against God and nature. It was by this appeal to be like God that Eve was deceived (Gen. 3:5). Christ came to imitate God among men, and to set an example of true God-likeness, that of being like God in consecration to the good of all – not for the good of self-gratification. Thus He repeatedly declared the true nature of consecration and godliness.

National pride because of ancestry, victory in war, learning, riches, and even religion has always been a human weakness. In excess, it causes prejudice, malice and hatred of others of all peoples. In Exodus 22:21 God used the slavery experience of Israel in Egypt to warn them against oppressing other nations and the weak and poor among themselves.

‘With the lowly is wisdom.’ Four examples of wisdom to the lowly: Joseph (Gen. 41:16, 38-39); Solomon (1Kin. 3:5-13); Daniel (Dan. 2:20-21); Jesus Christ (Luke 2:40, 52; Isa. 11:1).

Not a Novice

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1 Timothy 3:4-7 One that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he falls into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he falls into reproach and the snare of the devil. 

‘Gravity’ [Greek: semnotes] solemnity; dignity; majesty. Translated “gravity” (3:4; Tit. 2:7) and “honesty” (2:2).

‘For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church [congregation] of God?’ If a man’s home rule is not good, how can he be trusted with the civil or religious government?

‘Lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.’ The reason for not putting a new convert in the office of a bishop or overseer is the lack of Christian experience and service. It is natural for men to feel exalted when entrusted with any form of government. This feeling must be entirely put to death before one can be a true ruler. The example of Lucifer is given to emphasize the absolute necessity of mortifying pride. Lucifer was trusted as the original overseer of the earth. He ruled for an indefinite period before Adam and was perfect in his ways until he was lifted up in pride to believe he could invade heaven and dethrone God (3:6; Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-17; Jer. 4:23-26; 2Pet. 3:5-8). Before learning the lesson of humility and the worth of his true self without grace, the new convert will likely fall as Lucifer did. We do not need any rulers of this type – haughty, proud, exalted, despotic, and self-important.

‘Lifted up with pride’ [Greek: tuphoo] to make dull, senseless, conceited, silly, stupid, or absurd. Translated as “lifted up” (3:6); “be proud” (6:4); and “be high-minded” (2Tim. 3:4). The Greek: tuphon (hurricane, typhoon) may best illustrate such conceited, puffed up behaviour of inflated ones in the ecclesiastical realm.

‘Lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.’ The reason why a bishop must have a good report from non-Christians is to avoid reproach and falling into the snare of the devil. Backsliders usually fall by the sins of their former life. On these lines, the devil concentrates on bringing about the fall of as many as possible.

Made Whole

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John 5:9-18 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. Afterwards Jesus found him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

The man obeyed Christ by ‘rising-up’ and was healed even before he took his bed and walked. It was on the sabbath and it was unlawful to carry anything from a public place to a private place, and vice versa and thus the Rabbis asked him who told him to take up his bed and walk? He answered them that it was ‘He that made me whole.’

When they questioned him more on the Healer’s identity, he could not answer them, because he did not know that it was Jesus and because Jesus withdrew from the multitude that was in that place. He knew the hatred of the leaders and the result of His breaking their man-made laws.

Afterwards, Jesus found him in the temple, and said unto him, ‘Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.’ Sin always brings back the curse (sickness and disease – Pro. 26:2).

The man told the Jews that it was Jesus who healed him and it brought persecution because it was done on a sabbath. God hated sabbaths and predicted He would do away with them (Isa. 1:13-15; Hos. 2:11). God hates any law, ritual, or form of religion that violates good and exalts pride and hypocrisy.