S) "18 Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling."
Proverbs 16:18 (NASB)
O) God is against the proud, and there is no other way to see it (see James 4:6, and the rest of the Bible). Throughout the old testament, the Israelites would exalt themselves, and the LORD would use the agency of some foreign country to execute justice against them. There were even times (like with Nebuchadnezzar), where the kingdom used would be arrogant, and so God would even bring them low. Certainly, this verse is a warning against arrogant pride and haughtiness. However, it can also be seen as a reminder of God's nature, and how He executes perfect justice.
A) It is pure grace that my pride didn't literally, physically destroy me in my youth. Because of the grace of the gospel, and how God has been changing my heat over the years spent with Him, I am not as arrogant as I used to be. Still, arrogance is insidious, and lies in wait. Jesus conquered sin and death, and so in that way my sins will not cost me my very life. In Christ, I am a new creation, and I am promised sanctification and eternal life. Still, the second line of this proverb really speaks to me. While I may not be destroyed because of the pride that used to puff me up, I am still prone to a haughtiness that causes me to stumble. I have seen the warning signs. Sometimes, it's that I am acutely more aware of the mistakes other people make, silly things like copy error on a bumper sticker. Sometimes, it's that I am suddenly thinking I look really handsome (this feels really silly to admit, but it's true). That kind of arrogance inevitably leads me to stumble into some kind of sinful behavior. The list of sins that start with pride and haughtiness, may have no end. And, there are certainly other ways to fall into sin. But for me, it may always start with pride and haughtiness. So, I must continue to humble myself. That's not thinking less of myself, but thinking of myself less. The most effective way to do that, the most appropriate way, is to think of my Lord more. The opposite of self-worship is Jesus-worship. If I am exalting, then I am lower by default. Just as John said, it must be less of me and more of Him.
A) It is pure grace that my pride didn't literally, physically destroy me in my youth. Because of the grace of the gospel, and how God has been changing my heat over the years spent with Him, I am not as arrogant as I used to be. Still, arrogance is insidious, and lies in wait. Jesus conquered sin and death, and so in that way my sins will not cost me my very life. In Christ, I am a new creation, and I am promised sanctification and eternal life. Still, the second line of this proverb really speaks to me. While I may not be destroyed because of the pride that used to puff me up, I am still prone to a haughtiness that causes me to stumble. I have seen the warning signs. Sometimes, it's that I am acutely more aware of the mistakes other people make, silly things like copy error on a bumper sticker. Sometimes, it's that I am suddenly thinking I look really handsome (this feels really silly to admit, but it's true). That kind of arrogance inevitably leads me to stumble into some kind of sinful behavior. The list of sins that start with pride and haughtiness, may have no end. And, there are certainly other ways to fall into sin. But for me, it may always start with pride and haughtiness. So, I must continue to humble myself. That's not thinking less of myself, but thinking of myself less. The most effective way to do that, the most appropriate way, is to think of my Lord more. The opposite of self-worship is Jesus-worship. If I am exalting, then I am lower by default. Just as John said, it must be less of me and more of Him.
P) Father, thank You for graciously preserving my life, despite my obstinate and prideful history. I confess that I still struggle with a haughty spirit. I know that it leads to my own stumbling, and I hate that. By the work of the Holy Spirit within me, I can see that I am not the same arrogant man I used to be, but I know that I still have so much further to go. Help me to focus more on You and less on me, each day. Help me to deliberately humble myself, as I consciously devote myself to exalting You. Fill my mouth with Your praises, and let me be bold in bragging about my Lord. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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