THE SIN OF PRIDE

"Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD." - Obadiah 4

Pride is celebrated in our country.  Many are proud of their achievements. Some are proud of their heritage.  Sadly, a few are proud of their "sexual preference."  I have heard it said that some are so proud that they could strut sitting down!

While I've heard of churches that exercise discipline on members because of sexual sin or drunkenness, I've never heard of anyone being expelled from church membership because of pride.  Yet pride is a dangerous sin.  When God revealed seven things that He hates, pride was the first sin He named (see Proverbs 6:16-19).

Despite God's hatred of pride, our nation (including the Church) celebrates pride.  Some preachers have the reputation of being arrogant and self-centered. Church congregations tend to proudly publicize their church name.  Denominations seem more interested in having statistics to brag about rather than fulfilling the Great Commission.  Gospel music artists tend to "show off" at times ... and crowds love it.  Have we gone mad?

The Bible says, "God resists the proud."  Is it any wonder that He is resisting the Church in America?  While the Church is growing in other nations, God's hand of blessing seems to be withheld from the American Church.  It is time that the American Church woke up and repented of her sinful pride. 

Pride is a sin that God hates.  Shouldn't we hate it, too?  It is easy to spot pride when it comes to someone else, but it is tougher to notice pride in your own heart.  Yet it is the pride within that you and I are responsible for.   

When Obadiah was commanded to write to Edom, he shared God's condemnation of their pride in verse 4:  "Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD."  The people had exalted themselves to great heights, which God compared to be similar to an eagle's ascent.  Notice God's response to their pride, "... (from) thence will I bring thee down..." 

Jesus said, "Whosoever exalts himself shall be abased."  God brings those down who exalt themselves.  The proud ultimately are brought to ruin and shame. 

The flip side to this truth is one we need to remember:  "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." (James 4:10).  Rather than exalting ourselves, wouldn't it be better to experience God's exaltation?   

As you look back at your spiritual pilgrimage, you must confess that humility always preceded your mountaintop experiences.  When you got saved, you had to humbly face your sin, repent and come with child-like faith to Jesus.  Humility preceded blessing.  Look at the high points of your walk with Christ.  Did they not begin with humility?   If you were honest, your greatest failures and humiliating experiences came during times of pride, arrogance and self-reliance. 

I believe that the great need facing America is for a spiritual awakening.  This will not come because of our pride.  Instead, it can only occur as God's people humble themselves.  Many like to quote 2 Chronicles 7:14:  "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."  Although this verse was given to Israel and not America, I think there is a lesson to be learned.  God will not bless a nation until that country approaches Him with humility.

In the aftermath of our recent Presidential election here in America, one side has gloated while another side experienced unexpected humiliation.  Some angrily deny the process and seek to take matters in their own hands.  America is a nation that is dying because of pride.  America needs to humble herself.  America needs to repent.  Our pride will ultimately be our undoing.  The book of Proverbs reminds us that, "Pride goeth before destruction." 

It is time that we seek the face of God.  We can't do this while we admire ourselves.  Instead, we need to recognize the sin within and repent with great humility.

We need God's grace.  There is a grace place available.  James 4:6 teaches us, "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."  We can either receive God's grace or be rejected by Him.

God's grace is available to those humble enough to receive it.