Overcoming Pride

In Isaiah 14, the Prophet wrote about the fall of Babylon, the fall of the king of Babylon and the fall of Lucifer who is called satan. He spoke of Lucifer falling from heaven and being cut down to the ground. He was the son of the morning, who weakened nations. Satan’s fall was due to pride and self aggrandisement. “For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north” (Isaiah 14:13). Satan’s aim was to make himself equal or of more significance to God. The result of this self exaltation was humiliation and being brought low. “Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit” (Isaiah 14:15). When satan was brought down, people marvelled as he once caused nations to shake.

Peter said in chapter 5:6, that we should humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt us in due season. Jesus also said in Matthew 23:12, that anyone who exalted themselves will be humbled and anyone who humbled themselves will be exalted. Another bible character who exalted himself and was humbled was King Nebuchadnezzar. “The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty”” (Daniel 4:30)? Before the words had even left the King’s mouth, a voice from heaven spoke to him saying, the kingdom had been taken from him. He would be driven from men and his dwelling would be with the beast of the field. He would eat grass like oxen and seven periods of time would pass until he knew that the Most High God, rules the kingdoms of men and gives (power) to whoever he chooses.

In that same hour, the word was fulfilled and Nebuchadnezzar went out and ate grass with the animals and his hair and nails grew like wild birds. After the set time passed, his senses returned to him and he acknowledged and praised God and was restored to his kingdom. “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down” (Daniel 4:37). This last verse shows that he acknowledged that his sin was one of pride. This can be defined as a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit or superiority, whether cherished in the mind or displayed in conduct (www.dictionary.com). Pride also places an exaggerated emphasis on one’s self, over and above others.

Selfishness, arrogance, being self centred and self seeking are all symptoms of pride. While it is important to have confidence and a healthy sense of self, this has to be balanced against the spirit of pride. Satan was a chief archangel who was radiant and glorious in his appearance. His title of ‘son of the morning,’ inflated his ego so that he felt that he was equal to God. The opposite of this pride was Jesus’s humility, where although he was God, did not count himself as equal to God. “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). Therefore God has highly exalted Jesus and given him a name above every other name. Pride leads to destruction and humiliation while humility leads to exaltation. We have to examine ourselves and ask God to expose any areas where there is pride and vain glory and ask God to take it from us.

A.P.-Y.

Published July 28, 2023