“… Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”
Sometimes scripture is mysterious and hard to understand but that is not the case this morning. Evidently, arrogance puts us in opposition to the King of Kings.
So, are you always the smartest person in the room, or are you poor in spirit? It’s critical to understand that, not only will God not support pridefulness – He will actively oppose it. Have some of your most “brilliant” plans not worked out? Does your intellect at times seem to not hold up under scrutiny? ... According to this verse, there may be a reason for that. It is dangerous to ignore God saying He opposes something you’re doing.
Humility is the remedy for pride. This passage says being “poor in spirit” produces grace. …. So how do I progress from arrogance to being poor in spirit? What does it take to suppress egotism and elevate humbleness?
Pride is the original sin… it turned an angel into a devil, and has destroyed countless men, yet we don’t run from it. Our smugness is a result of failing to compare our shallow righteousness to the perfect holiness of God. Take an honest look in the mirror. Shine the purity of an omnipotent God on your trivial “good works” and be wrecked by the comparison. As in Isaiah 6, observe the holiness of God and cry out “Woe to me… I am ruined!” It’s crucial to recognize that we are destitute and broken. That realization allows God’s power to be perfected in our weakness. It stops our arrogance from interfering with His omnipotent indescribable power and makes us usable vessels for the gospel.
As I look for a suitable quote to end this message it dawns on me that there are more quotes exalting pride than there are warning against it. And that is the problem… The world will push you into the very thing that will destroy you. Don’t buy the lie. Let me challenge you today to die to yourself and let your value be found in your relationship with God. Pursue The Lord first, serve His children second, and you remain third. It will provide strength and freedom you can find nowhere else.
“Pride is a sin that can readily be seen in others but is rarely admitted in ourselves.” - Ezra Taft Benson
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