Overcoming Pride: Embracing Humility for God's Grace

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing the Subtlety of Pride

Pride is often hard to recognize in ourselves but easy to see in others. It sneaks into our lives subtly, making us focus on our own achievements and self-worth. This self-centeredness can distance us from God and others, as it did with Lucifer, who wanted to ascend above God. Recognizing pride in our lives is the first step toward humility. [33:28]

Pride is a deceptive force that can infiltrate our hearts without us even realizing it. It often manifests in subtle ways, such as when we take excessive pride in our accomplishments or when we compare ourselves to others to feel superior. This self-centered attitude can create a barrier between us and God, as well as between us and our fellow human beings. The story of Lucifer, who sought to elevate himself above God, serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of pride. His downfall was a direct result of his inability to recognize and address his prideful nature.

To combat pride, we must first acknowledge its presence in our lives. This requires a level of self-awareness and honesty that can be challenging to achieve. However, by regularly examining our thoughts and actions, we can begin to identify the ways in which pride has taken root. Once we recognize it, we can take steps to cultivate humility, which opens the door for God's grace and strengthens our relationships with others.

Isaiah 14:12-15 (ESV): "How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt superior to someone else. How can you approach similar situations with humility and a servant's heart in the future?

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Day 2: The Dangers of Self-Righteousness

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18 highlights the dangers of self-righteousness. The Pharisee's prayer was full of pride, thanking God that he was not like other sinners, while the tax collector humbly asked for mercy. Jesus taught that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified. This story reminds us that humility, not self-righteousness, brings us closer to God. [39:26]

In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, Jesus contrasts two very different attitudes toward God and self. The Pharisee, confident in his own righteousness, prays a self-congratulatory prayer, thanking God that he is not like other sinners. His prayer is filled with pride and a sense of superiority. In stark contrast, the tax collector stands at a distance, unable to even lift his eyes to heaven. He beats his chest in sorrow and humbly asks for God's mercy, recognizing his own sinfulness.

Jesus makes it clear that it is the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who goes home justified before God. This parable teaches us that self-righteousness and pride are barriers to receiving God's grace. When we rely on our own perceived goodness and look down on others, we distance ourselves from God. True humility, on the other hand, acknowledges our need for God's mercy and opens the door for His grace to transform our lives.

Luke 18:13-14 (ESV): "But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you judged someone else for their actions. How can you shift your perspective to one of compassion and humility, recognizing your own need for God's mercy?

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Day 3: The Empty Promises of Pride

Pride promises self-sufficiency, self-importance, and self-exaltation, but these attitudes leave no room for God. When we are full of ourselves, we cannot receive God's grace. The Pharisee's prideful attitude made him feel superior, but it distanced him from God. In contrast, the tax collector's humility opened the door for God's mercy and grace. [46:50]

Pride often entices us with the illusion of self-sufficiency and self-importance. It tells us that we can rely on our own abilities and achievements to find fulfillment and worth. However, these promises are empty and ultimately lead to a sense of isolation and disconnection from God. When we are consumed with pride, we become self-centered and fail to recognize our need for God's grace and guidance.

The Pharisee in the parable exemplifies this attitude. His prideful prayer reflects a belief in his own righteousness and a sense of superiority over others. This self-exaltation leaves no room for God in his life. In contrast, the tax collector's humble acknowledgment of his sinfulness opens the door for God's mercy and grace. By emptying himself of pride, he creates space for God's transformative power to work in his life.

Proverbs 16:18-19 (ESV): "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud."

Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you have been relying on your own strength and abilities. How can you invite God into this area and depend on His grace instead?

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Day 4: Identifying the Relatives of Pride

Pride has many relatives, including comparison, fault-finding, and false humility. These attitudes can make us feel valuable by putting others down or elevating ourselves. However, they ultimately distance us from God. Recognizing and addressing these attitudes in our lives can help us cultivate true humility. [48:19]

Pride does not exist in isolation; it often brings along a host of related attitudes that can further entrench us in self-centeredness. Comparison is one such relative, where we measure our worth against others, either feeling superior or inferior based on the outcome. Fault-finding is another, where we focus on the shortcomings of others to elevate our own sense of righteousness. False humility, on the other hand, is a deceptive form of pride where we outwardly appear humble but inwardly seek validation and praise.

These attitudes can create a false sense of value and worth, but they ultimately distance us from God and others. When we engage in comparison, fault-finding, or false humility, we are not living in the truth of who we are in Christ. Instead, we are relying on external measures to define our worth. Recognizing these attitudes in our lives is the first step toward cultivating true humility, which is grounded in our identity as beloved children of God.

James 4:11-12 (ESV): "Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?"

Reflection: Think about a recent interaction where you found yourself comparing, fault-finding, or displaying false humility. How can you shift your focus to see others through God's eyes and embrace true humility?

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Day 5: The Strength of Humility

Humility is not a position of weakness but of great strength. When we live our lives in humility, we are in the perfect position to receive from God. Humility allows us to empty ourselves of pride and make room for God's grace, mercy, and forgiveness. As we humble ourselves before God, He will shower us with His blessings. [56:55]

Humility is often misunderstood as a sign of weakness or a lack of confidence. However, true humility is a position of great strength. It involves recognizing our dependence on God and our need for His grace and guidance. When we humble ourselves, we create space for God to work in our lives, allowing His strength to be made perfect in our weakness.

Living in humility means acknowledging our limitations and being open to receiving from God. It is an attitude of surrender and trust, where we let go of our pride and self-sufficiency. As we humble ourselves before God, we position ourselves to receive His grace, mercy, and forgiveness. This posture of humility not only strengthens our relationship with God but also allows us to experience His blessings in our lives.

1 Peter 5:5-6 (ESV): "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you struggle with pride. How can you practice humility in this area and invite God's grace and strength to transform you?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we delved into a topic that is crucial for both Christians and non-Christians: pride. I began with a humorous story about a preacher who found a shoebox with five eggs and $10,000, only to learn that his wife placed an egg in the box for every bad sermon he preached. This story set the stage for our discussion on pride, a five-letter word that can be incredibly sneaky and destructive.

Pride is something we all struggle with, often without realizing it. We see it in others easily but fail to recognize it in ourselves. The first example of pride in the Bible is Lucifer, who wanted to ascend above God. His "I will" statements contrast sharply with Jesus' "Thy will" in the Garden of Gethsemane. This pride led to Lucifer's downfall and is the same pride that tempts us today.

We examined the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18. The Pharisee, full of self-righteousness, thanked God that he was not like other sinners, while the tax collector humbly asked for God's mercy. Jesus made it clear that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified before God. This parable teaches us that pride makes us self-sufficient, self-important, and self-exalting, leaving no room for God in our lives.

Pride has many relatives, such as comparison, fault-finding, and false humility. These attitudes can make us feel valuable by putting others down or elevating ourselves. However, they ultimately distance us from God. The tax collector's humble prayer, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner," is a model for us. When we empty ourselves of pride, we make room for God's grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humility is not a position of weakness but of great strength, as it puts us in the perfect position to receive from God. Today, let's commit to giving God 100% of our hearts, laying down our pride, and making room for His grace.

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Key Takeaways

1. worth. This self-centeredness can distance us from God and others, as it did with Lucifer, who wanted to ascend above God. Recognizing pride in our lives is the first step toward humility. [33:28]
2. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector: The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18 highlights the dangers of self-righteousness. The Pharisee's prayer was full of pride, thanking God that he was not like other sinners, while the tax collector humbly asked for mercy. Jesus taught that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified. This story reminds us that humility, not self-righteousness, brings us closer to God.

3. Pride's Promises and Pitfalls: Pride promises self-sufficiency, self-importance, and self-exaltation, but these attitudes leave no room for God. When we are full of ourselves, we cannot receive God's grace. The Pharisee's prideful attitude made him feel superior, but it distanced him from God. In contrast, the tax collector's humility opened the door for God's mercy and grace.

4. Relatives of Pride: Pride has many relatives, including comparison, fault-finding, and false humility. These attitudes can make us feel valuable by putting others down or elevating ourselves. However, they ultimately distance us from God. Recognizing and addressing these attitudes in our lives can help us cultivate true humility.

5. The Power of Humility: Humility is not a position of weakness but of great strength. When we live our lives in humility, we are in the perfect position to receive from God. Humility allows us to empty ourselves of pride and make room for God's grace, mercy, and forgiveness. As we humble ourselves before God, He will shower us with His blessings.

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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[31:39] - The Shoebox Story
[32:37] - Introduction to Pride
[33:28] - Recognizing Pride in Ourselves
[34:55] - Lucifer's Pride
[35:55] - The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
[36:56] - God Opposes the Proud
[37:44] - Pharisees and Self-Righteousness
[39:26] - The Pharisee's Prayer
[42:12] - Motives Behind Actions
[44:11] - The Pharisee in All of Us
[46:50] - Pride's Promises
[48:19] - Relatives of Pride
[50:51] - The Double-Edged Sword of Comparison
[52:21] - Fault-Finding
[53:00] - False Humility
[54:52] - The Tax Collector's Prayer
[56:55] - The Power of Humility
[62:24] - Prayer for Humility
[67:10] - Invitation to Accept Christ
[68:36] - Life Groups and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the Pharisee's attitude in his prayer compared to the tax collector's in Luke 18:9-14? ([39:26])
How did Lucifer's "I will" statements in Isaiah 14:12-15 contrast with Jesus' "Thy will" in the Garden of Gethsemane? ([34:55])
According to James 4:6, what does God do to the proud and what does He give to the humble? ([35:55])
What are some of the "relatives" of pride mentioned in the sermon, and how do they manifest in our lives? ([48:19])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus emphasized the tax collector's humility over the Pharisee's self-righteousness in Luke 18:9-14? ([39:26])
How does pride create a barrier between us and God, as illustrated by Lucifer's fall and the Pharisee's prayer? ([34:55])
What does it mean that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" in practical terms for our daily lives? ([35:55])
How can recognizing and addressing the "relatives" of pride, such as comparison and fault-finding, help us cultivate true humility? ([48:19])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you acted like the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14. How did that affect your relationship with God and others? ([39:26])
In what areas of your life do you struggle with pride, and how can you start to replace "I will" statements with "Thy will" statements? ([34:55])
How can you actively seek to humble yourself in your daily interactions, knowing that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble"? ([35:55])
Identify a specific "relative" of pride (e.g., comparison, fault-finding) that you struggle with. What steps can you take this week to address it? ([48:19])
Think of a situation where you felt self-sufficient or self-important. How can you shift your perspective to rely more on God's grace and less on your own abilities? ([46:50])
How can you practice the tax collector's humble prayer, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner," in your daily prayer life? ([54:52])
What practical steps can you take to ensure that you are making room for God's grace, mercy, and forgiveness in your life, rather than being full of yourself? ([56:55])

Sermon Clips

1. "Pride is sneaky. It's really sneaky. We can see it in other people. Hey, no problem. But, you know, it can be elusive when it comes to recognizing it ourselves, in ourselves. All of us deal with pride at one level or another, you know. And this is a good illustration of that. When you were looking at that video, how many of you were here at that brunch? Raise your hands again. Who was the first person you were looking for in the video? Yeah, you're looking at yourself, right?" [33:28] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Pride is the posture that makes God turn away. Posture is the, excuse me, the posture. I'll get it. Let me get a drink. Pride is the posture that makes God turn away. Turn to Luke chapter 18. It will be there pretty much all morning, I believe. At least for the next hour. Luke chapter 18, verse 9. So Jesus is sharing a parable with two men. I'm sure some other people were listening. But these two men, they were both Jewish. And they both were going to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and one was a tax collector." [36:56] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Pride will promise you three things. Write these down. Pride promises self-sufficiency. Self-sufficiently. Sufficiency. It's like, hey, you know, I've got this. I don't need anybody else. I don't need your help. And least of all, I don't need God's help. Pride also promises self-importance. I'm an exceptional employee. My boss needs me. My company needs me. My friends need me. So pride promises three things. One, pride promises self-sufficiency. It also promises self-importance. And because of those two attitudes, pride will also give every single one of us self-exaltation." [46:20] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The problem with pride is that when you're full of yourself, there's no room for God. When you're full of yourself, there's no room for God. That was the Pharisee. Now let's look at the tax collector. Verse 13. Are you with me? Good, because I kind of got lost there for a second. Verse 13. But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner." [54:10] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Humility is not a position of weakness. Humility is a position of great strength. Because when you and I, when we live our lives in humility, we are in the perfect position to receive from God. And I don't know about you, but I need God's grace. I need His mercy. I need His presence. Pride. It's an ugly five-letter word. But you know what else is a five-letter word? Grace. Grace isn't ugly. Grace is beautiful. God wants to take that ugly five-letter word out of your life and out of my life. And He wants to plant His divine five-letter word in you. And that word is grace." [01:00:49] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "The posture of pride comes when we stop seeing the good things in our life as a gift from God. Did you know that every good thing in your life is a gift from God? Every single good thing. Think of five good things right now. Five good things in your life. I challenge you. Do you believe with all your heart that they came from God? They did. Every good and perfect gift. Comes from the Heavenly Father. When we stop seeing the good things in life as what God gave us, as gifts from God, and we start to see ourselves as a gift to mankind." [45:38] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Pride also has a lot of family members. Pride's sister is called Comparison. Pride has a sister, and her name is Comparison. And Comparison kind of sounds like this. Would you look at what she's wearing? Can you believe that? It's not a good look for her, you know? I think she should have gotten an extra large. I don't know what you think. I heard about two brothers. Two brothers. One was evil, and they were both rich. They both went to the same church, and they looked like perfect Christians, but they weren't." [48:19] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Pride. No matter what form it comes in. You know, whether it's comparison. Whether it's fault finding. Whether it's false humidity. Or humility. Well, I'm going to get that. It always starts with one word. What's that one word? I. I or me. Because when pride's in my life, my value is based on pride. It's based on what I look like. Or what I'm achieving. Or what I've accomplished. And when I compare with everybody else, just like the Pharisees did. And how I compare with everyone else, like the Pharisees." [54:10] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "God opposes the proud. But He gives what? To the humble. He gives grace to the humble. He stands against the proud. And again, I don't want to stand against God. Not even for a moment. He gives blessing to the humble. He gives forgiveness to the humble. Compassion to the humble. Mercy to the humble. And peace to the humble. Would you like all those things I just said? God opposes the proud, but He gives grace to the humble." [01:01:45] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "The good news for you is that God wants to bring hope to your life today. Did you know that? Say hope. Say, bring me hope, God. God wants to be involved in your life. Did you know that? He wants to be involved in your life. He wants to bring mercy. God wants to bring grace. He wants to bring peace. He wants to bring his forgiveness. And all we need to do is just humble ourselves before him. Like the tax collector. And when we do that, God will absolutely shower us with mercy. I mean, shower us with mercy. And he will pour out his grace." [57:41] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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