CLOSET PRIDE

There is a big difference between humility and unrealistic inferiority complex. It might seem to be a minor thing, but it can develop into something deadly. MRSA infection can start with one very small sore. If left untreated, it can grow into a raging monster that eats away healthy skin and tissue. While a little pride may seem to be a minor thing, it will almost always grow and be destructive to you.

Malachi 3:15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

MOST OFTEN COMES GRADUALLY, SUBTLY.

Ezekiel 7:7-10 Behold the day, behold, it is come: the morning is gone forth; the rod hath blossomed, pride hath budded.

1. WHAT IS OUR VALUE IN GOD’S EYES ?

A. IS WHAT WE THINK OF OURSELVES, OR WHAT GOD THINKS OF US THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE ?

Here’s the test: If something being rare makes it more valuable, then which is of greater value in the world–Polar bears, or people ? “You can do anything you set your mind to do. You are a great person. People don’t appreciate you enough. There is something you can do that is better than anyone else.” Pride gives a false sense of standing.

Obadiah 1:3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

B. THE WORLD SCENE–CAN YOU CONVINCE PEOPLE TODAY ? IN MOST CASES, NO. WHY ? THEY ARE BLINDED. THEY HAVE BEEN CURSED BY GOD. LATER, DURING THE TRIBULATION, THEY WILL BELIEVE A LIE AS A PART OF THEIR CURSE.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

. ***OUR WORLD IS SWALLOWED UP IN PRIDE AND SELF-CENTEREDNESS. JFK, IN SEEING THE DIRECTION OF AMERICA IN THE 1960’S, SAID AT HIS INAUGURATION, “ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY.”
SELF-CENTEREDNESS IS DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO HIGH SELF-ESTEEM. MOST KIDS GROW UP THINKING THAT THE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND THEM. THEY HAVE TRAINED THEIR PARENTS INSTEAD OF THE OTHER WAY AROUND. ***BILL OF CHILDREN’S’ RIGHTS. THE NATURAL CONSEQUENCE IS ADULT CHILDREN’S’ BILL OF RIGHTS.

B. THE PROUD THINK THEY KNOW ABOUT GOD AND HIS WORD MORE THAN YOU DO.

Psalms 119:51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
Psalms 119:69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
Psalms 119:78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
Psalms 119:85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.

C. THE PROUD RESIST THE WORD OF GOD, THINKING THAT THEIR OWN VISIONS AND DREAMS ARE MORE TRUTHFUL. HEAVIER RELIANCE ON SELF THAN ON THOSE PROVEN RIGHT BEFORE.

Jeremiah 43:2 Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:

2. MANY PEOPLE TODAY CANNOT IDENTIFY PRIDE IN OTHERS OR THEMSELVES.

Signs exist, and are seen by others. HOW CAN YOU IDENTIFY PRIDE ? IT DOES NOT THINK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE. ONLY THE PERSON’S OWN FEELING SEEM TO MATTER.

A. PRIDE OF SELF LEADS TO CONDEMNATION OF OTHERS.

Proverbs 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

***SOMETIMES IT IS BETTER JUST TO WALK AWAY WHEN YOU ARE CONFRONTED BY A FOOL. FOOLS THINK THEY KNOW THINGS THAT THEY DON’T. IF YOU ARGUE WITH THEM, YOU WILL NEVER WIN BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE THE HUMILITY TO ADMIT WHEN THEY KNOW THEY ARE WRONG.

B. SELF PRIDE IS NOT CONSIDERATE OR COMPASSIONATE.

“Why do something for someone else ? They can do it if I can.”—Not always true. No sacrifice, no inconvenience, not “going the 2nd mile for Christ or others. Just concern about self, and own feelings.

C. THE PROUD CANNOT SEE THAT THEIR PRIDE HINDERS THEIR PRAYERS.

Psalms 138:6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

3. GOD HATES PRIDE AND HE ALWAYS HAS. ***GOD HAS NOT CHANGED HIS VIEWS ABOUT IT.

A. HE SAYS THAT HE HATES IT. ISN’T THAT ENOUGH ?

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

B. HE WILL BRING JUDGMENT AGAINST THE PROUD.

—PUNISHMENTS IN THE FUTURE.

Isaiah 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

C. HE WILL BRING THINGS TO PASS THAT YOU CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT.

FOR ALL MAN’S SCIENCE, INTELLIGENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, MAN CANNOT STOP THE POWER AND PLANS OF GOD.
—PROBLEMS FOR TODAY.

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.