The dangers of pride

Definition of Pride

1. satisfaction with self: the happy satisfied feeling somebody experiences when having or achieving something special that other people admire
2. proper sense of own value: the correct level of respect for the importance and value of your personal character, life, efforts, or achievements
3. feeling of superiority: a haughty attitude shown by somebody who believes, often unjustifiably, that he or she is better than others

Synonyms: arrogance, conceit, smugness, self-importance, egotism, vanity, immodesty, superiority

Pride is an inwardly directed emotion that carries two common meanings. With a negative connotation, pride refers to an inflated sense of one's personal status or accomplishments. With a positive connotation, pride refers to a satisfied sense of attachment toward one's own or another's choices and actions, or toward a whole group of people, and is a product of praise, independent self-reflection, or a fulfilled feeling of belonging.^[1]

Here is a narrative and Biblical records go like this and we learn a deep lesson on the dangers of pride. King Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, and there was no one like him except King David and King Solomon; 2 King 18:5. King Hezekiah began his reign about 715 BC, and historians believe that he might have been a coregent with his father as early as 729, BC. While in reign, he destroyed the idols and the hill shrines where people falsely worshipped Jehovah, and started to bring vital faith in the Lord. So he brought back temple facilities, and services of worship, and led the people a nation wide two-week celebration of Passover and also invited Jews from the Northern Kingdoms to participate.    

 

Sennacherib, King of Assyria tried to take over Judah when Hezekiah was the king of Judah. After the fall of Northern Kingdom in 722 BC, Judah has constant conflict with Assyria and finally Hezekiah rebelled against Assyria. When Sennacherib threatened to attack, Hezekiah in his strength tried to bribe him with tribute, which was a lapse of faith on King Hezekiah’s part. Any way, Sennacherib accepted the bribe, but broke his treaty with Hezekiah and invaded Judah. “Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them” Isa: 36:1.

As we read further to Isaiah chapters 36-39, we learn some valuable lessons on the dangers of pride, and also on faith and prayer.  Sennacherib boasted of his military strength, his military strategies, and his great conquests and absolutely no one would be able to stand against him and his capacity. King of Assyria totally forgot about the Living God, His purposes on earth and His Omni potency! God humbles Sennacherib and his army by treating them like cattle and horses and leading them away from Jerusalem; Isa: 37:7, 29. “Then the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning--there were all the dead bodies! So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there”Isa: 37:36-37. Later in a power struggle among his sons, Sennacherib was assassinated by two of his sons in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy; Isa: 37:7; and this happened in the temple of his god; Isa: 37:38. As we read the history of these nations in the Book of Isaiah, we noticed that the field commander has ridiculed the gods of the nations, but Sennacherib’s god was not able to protect his life! The record of God’s miraculous deliverance of His people was recorded in Isaiah chapters 36 and 37.

As we apply the above Bible story to real life situations, my questions are as follows:

1. As believers, do we come across bullies like Sennacherib? How do we handle such abusive people?
2. If circumstances around us are overwhelming and over powering and if we are outnumbered, how do we react as a believer? Where is our hope? Where do our strength, sustenance and vitality come from?
3. If some one in our life is always boasting on their capacities, and if you are in their life, what is the Biblical way of handling this?

God in His mercy demonstrated again and again His faithfulness to the people of Israel, and we need to have faith in the Living God. Prayer is a powerful weapon and hedge against our enemy, in all situations and circumstances. “When King Hezekiah heard this, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the Lord” Isa: 37:1. The best way to baffle the malicious designs of our enemies against us is to be driven by them to God, and of course we talk to Him in prayer. The more Rabshakeh, the commander of King Assyria reproaches God, the more Hezekiah learns to honor Him. Hezekiah sent messages to Isaiah his desire for prayers. If our day is a day of trouble, let it become a day of prayer. There is nothing impossible with God, and the above history proves it.  

References: 

1. Dr. Ed Murphy. The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992, 1996, pgs: 432-436.

2. Jay E. Adams. Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling, Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started.  New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002.
3. Jay E. Adams. How to Help People Change, The Four-step Biblical Process. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.
4. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty. Introduction To Biblical Counseling, A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1994.
5. Jay E. Adams. Lectures on Counseling. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203.

6. The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Women of Destiny Bible. Women Mentoring women Through the Scriptures, A Spirit Filled Life Bible. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982.

7. Warren W. Wiersbe. Devotions for comfort & Hope, Isaiah & 1 Peter. Colorado, Springs, Colorado: Honor Books, @2006.

Notes:

1.        Pride - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride

Pride is an inwardly directed emotion that carries two common meanings. With a negative connotation, pride refers to an inflated sense of one's personal status or ...

Website References:

        1. John 1 NKJV - The Eternal Word - In the beginning was - Bible Gateway

www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=NKJV

The Eternal Word. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through ...

   2.        1 John 1 NKJV - What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched - Bible Gateway

www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1&version=NKJV

What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched. 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our ...

  3.        John 1 New King James Version | The New Bible.com

https://www.bible.com/bible/nkjv/john.1.nkjv

Bible.com is all new! Enjoy a free online Bible from You Version. Now, the simple, ad-free Bible experience loved by millions is available at Bible.com.

      4. Isaiah 36:1-22; Isaiah 37:1-7; Isaiah 37:30-35 - New King James ...

www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+36:1-22;...

Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them.

5.        Isaiah 37:1-3 NKJV - Isaiah Assures Deliverance - And so it ...

www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+37%3A1-3&version=NKJV

Isaiah Assures Deliverance - And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

6.        Isaiah 37:1 NIV - Jerusalem’s Deliverance Foretold - Bible Gateway

www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+37%3A1&version=NIV

Jerusalem’s Deliverance Foretold - When King Hezekiah heard this, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the LORD.

      7. Pride | Define Pride at Dictionary.com

dictionary.reference.com/browse/pride

noun 1. a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct ...

 8. Pride - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride

Pride is an inwardly directed emotion that carries two common meanings. ... The term Vanity originates from the Latin word vanitas meaning emptiness, untruthfulness ..

9. www.thefreedictionary.com/pride

Pride (pr d), Thomas Died 1658. English Parliamentarian who led a regiment to Parliament and expelled Presbyterian and Royalist members who opposed the condemnation ...

Confidence…..in Whom?

The words “confident” and “confidence” come very often in contemporary advertising. For example: automobile manufacturers, pharmaceutical firms, publishers, promote their products and their work with confidence. Confidence is a matter of trust and advertisers invariably ask us to trust their products, their company and want us to buy their products.  

Meaning of confidence:

1. Trust or faith in a person or thing.

2. A trusting relationship: I took them into my confidence.

3. a. That which is confided; a secret: A friend does not betray confidences.

    b. A feeling of assurance that a confidant will keep a secret: I am telling you this in strict confidence.

4. A feeling of assurance, especially of self-assurance.

5. The state or quality of being certain: I have every confidence in your ability to succeed.

Synonyms: confidence, assurance, aplomb, self-confidence, self-possession

Everyone lives by faith in something, and our faith is only as good as the person or the thing we are trusting. Very often the world system asks us to put our confidence and trust on wealth and possessions! We are going to compare this confidence to Biblical confidence. For a believer faith means trusting in God and doing what He wants, regardless of the circumstances and consequences, Ref: Gen 37, on Joseph’s profile. Book of Hebrews (Ref: Heb 11) relates how God takes ordinary people and helps them face tremendous challenges and do incredible things because they have confidence in Him. 

In the Old Testament we find the lives of various people who experienced these great victories, like Joshua and Deborah who subdued Kingdoms; Joshua and Judges 4-5. Daniel was saved from the mouth of lions; Dan: 6. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were kept from the fiery furnace; Dan: 3. A widow’s son was brought back to life by the prophet Elisha; 2 Kings 4:8-37. Hebrews 11 has been called faith’s Hall of Fame, and the author surprised us by his conclusion. These mighty Jewish heroes did not receive God’s final reward, because they all died before Jesus came. In God’s total plan, these Jewish heroes and those of us who endure much testing would be rewarded together.

We too can experience victory through faith in Christ. Our victories over oppression may be like those of the Old Testament saints, but more likely our victories will be directly related to the role God wants us to play. The Bible says, in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." When God is our motivator, why do we fear? God loves everyone in this world and His intension was to bless His people.

As we read in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control", let us be confident and take the first step in trusting Him and God will guide our steps further. The Bible says, in Proverbs 3:26 says, "For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared". Having a steadfast faith and trust in God does not guarantee a happy, carefree life without any trials along the road. On the contrary, the reality will be our faith almost guarantees us some form of abuse from the world. While we are on this part of eternity we will be never able to fully comprehend the purpose of our suffering, but we can be assured that God will keep His promise to us.

“In quietness and confidence shall be your strength”- Isaiah 30:15. Are we limiting God by the way we think? Imagine a circumstance that we can consider really bad. We can use whatever descriptive words we want - difficult, hard, agonizing, frustrating, strenuous, debilitating, horrific, sorrowful, confusing, perturbing, penetrating or painful. Is there a problem too awful or too hard for God to handle? If the answer to the above questions are NO; what is it that sopping us from trusting Him?

When the voice of disqualification comes to remind us of all the areas that we have fallen short in, that’s the time to turn to Jesus and be reminded of the One who qualified us perfectly by His undeserved, unmerited favour. It is better to remind ourselves that God gave His one and only Son Jesus Christ to die in our place, and because of that we shall live.

^“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” Isa: 40:31.

Do we truly believe that God will keep His promise to us?

References: 

1. Dr. Ed Murphy. The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992, 1996, pgs: 432-436.

2. Jay E. Adams. Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling, Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started.  New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002.
3. Jay E. Adams. How to Help People Change, The Four-step Biblical Process. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.
4. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty. Introduction To Biblical Counseling, A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1994.
5. Jay E. Adams. Lectures on Counseling. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203.

6. The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Women of Destiny Bible. Women Mentoring women Through the Scriptures, A Spirit Filled Life Bible. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982.

7. Warren W. Wiersbe. Devot    ions for confidence & Integrity, Hebrews & John. Colorado, Springs, Colorado: Honor Books, @2006.

Website References:

        1. John 1 NKJV - The Eternal Word - In the beginning was - Bible Gateway

www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=NKJV

The Eternal Word. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through ...

   2.        1 John 1 NKJV - What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched - Bible Gateway

www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1&version=NKJV

What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched. 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our ...

  3.        John 1 New King James Version | The New Bible.com

https://www.bible.com/bible/nkjv/john.1.nkjv

Bible.com is all new! Enjoy a free online Bible from You Version. Now, the simple, ad-free Bible experience loved by millions is available at Bible.com.

       4. Confidence - definition of confidence by the Free Online ...

www.thefreedictionary.com/confidence

1. a feeling of trust in a person or thing I have confidence in his abilities. 2. belief in one's own abilities; self-assurance.

5.        Building Self-Confidence - Prepare Yourself for Success - Stress ...

www.mindtools.com/selfconf.html

You CAN become be self-confident! Learn how to build self-confidence that will really last with our 3-step action plan and video.

     6. What The Bible Says About Self Confidence

ezinearticles.com/?What-The-Bible-Says-About-Self-Confidence&id=...

 Self confidence or self esteem is very important for a human to prosper in his life. A person without confidence will never trust himself and will miss ...

7. The Bible and Self Esteem | Learn The Bible

www.learnthebible.org/the-bible-and-self-esteem.html

What verses in the Bible help with increasing confidence in yourself?

Perseverance…

When I was a little girl one of the very exciting things I did was to watch a spider web, and the spider skillfully knitting its web. I would go and destroy its web, and watch the spider’s reaction and this was fun for me. This spider within a minute of loosing its web, will start to work again, and starts building its new web, its home. This was awe inspiring for me and one day while I was reading my Bible I stumble at this verse in the Book of Proverbs. “The spider^[a] skillfully grasps with its hands and it is in kings’ palaces” Prov 30:28. We learn a lot from smaller insects and for example; ants can teach about preparation for winter, badgers about wise building; locusts about cooperation and order; and spiders about their fearlessness and perseverance; Pro: 30:24-28.

Spiders are very ingenious in weaving their webs with fineness and exactness such as no art can pretend to come very close to its skill. They take hold with their hands and spin a fine thread out of their own bowels with a great art; and they are found not only in poor man’s cottages, but also in King’s palaces. Spider silk provides a combination of lightness, strength and elasticity that is superior to that of synthetic materials, and spider silk genes have been inserted into mammals and plants to see if these can be used as silk factories. As a result of their wide range of behaviors, spiders have become common symbols in art and mythology symbolizing various combinations of patience, cruelty and creative powers.¹

What is perseverance?

• Perseverance is commitment, hard work, patience, endurance.
• Perseverance is being able to bear difficulties calmly and without complaint.
• Perseverance is trying again and again.
• Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness.

None of us wants trials and tribulations as part of life in this planet earth but early Christians thought that suffering was part of life rather than an exception. Paul tells us that till we go to glory, we must persevere in our walk with God. This means we will experience difficulties along the way, which will help us to grow. In other words the Word of God asks us to rejoice in our sufferings, because God is using life difficulties and Satan’s attack to build our character more Christ like. The problems we face in day to day’s life will develop our perseverance, and this will strengthen our character, deepen our relationship and trust in God, and gives us a great hope and confidence about the future. Indirectly, Book of Romans is asking us to thank God for the opportunities to grow, and deal with the issues of life with God’s strength; (Jam 1:2-4; 1 Pet 1:6-7).

³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us”. Rom 5:3-5.

Spiritual growth can be compared to the growth of a lily in the wilderness. The growth of a lily seems very fast in spring even though it seems lost in the winter. When it is refreshed with dew in spring, it starts up to come out, bud and bloom. So it is with God’s grace in our walk with Him. ^5”I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; ⁶ his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon”. Hosea 14:5-6.

Spiritual growth consists most in the growth of the root, which is out of sight very often. If we plant a lily in our garden very soon we find its roots spreading up and multitude of bulbs coming up and spreading from one bulb underneath the surface! So is our spiritual walk with God, when we persevere like a spider spinning its yarn tirelessly with fineness and exactness with God’s help we can see the fruit of our labor. The more one depend on Christ and draws strength, sustenance, sap and virtue from Him, our relationship with Christ deepens. As we persevere God builds the characteristic traits of Jesus Christ in us, and we become more like Him; and His mercies never fails. We will be like the trees of Lebanon, which having taken deep root, can not be plucked up, Amos 9:15.

“Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them.
For the ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them.” Hosea 14:9. The right ways of God are always open to whomever who want to walk in; though the path may be hard to walk, He will be beside us, and will be a savor of life unto life and the just will walk in them.

Notes:

       1. Spider - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider

... for nest-building; ... A few species of spiders that build webs live ... If there is an obvious direction in which the spider can retreat to avoid its own ...

References: 

1. Dr. Ed Murphy. The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992, 1996, pgs: 432-436.

2. Jay E. Adams. Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling, Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started.  New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002.
3. Jay E. Adams. How to Help People Change, The Four-step Biblical Process. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.
4. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty. Introduction To Biblical Counseling, A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1994.
5. Jay E. Adams. Lectures on Counseling. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203.

6. The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Women of Destiny Bible. Women Mentoring women Through the Scriptures, A Spirit Filled Life Bible. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982.

7. Warren W. Wiersbe. Devotions for confidence & Integrity, Hebrews & John. Colorado, Springs, Colorado: Honor Books, @2006.

Website References:

        1. John 1 NKJV - The Eternal Word - In the beginning was - Bible Gateway

www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=NKJV

The Eternal Word. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through ...

   2.        1 John 1 NKJV - What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched - Bible Gateway

www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1&version=NKJV

What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched. 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our ...

  3.        John 1 New King James Version | The New Bible.com

https://www.bible.com/bible/nkjv/john.1.nkjv

Bible.com is all new! Enjoy a free online Bible from You Version. Now, the simple, ad-free Bible experience loved by millions is available at Bible.com.

4. http://www.answers.com/topic/perseverance#ixzz2WKIwjpxA

5.        Perseverance | Define Perseverance at Dictionary.com

dictionary.reference.com/browse/perseverance

noun 1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. 2. Theology ..

6.        perseverance: Definition, Synonyms from Answers.com

www.answers.com/topic/perseverance

perseverance n. Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness

7.        Perseverance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseverance

Perseverance may refer to: Perseveration, the repetition of a response in Psychology Perseverance (solitaire), a card game Perseverance (born 1977), American fighter ..

8.        Hosea 14:9 NIV: Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is ...

biblehub.com/niv/hosea/14-9.htm

New International Version (© 2011) Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous ...

9.        Hosea 14:9 "Who is wise? Let him understand these th..." NKJV ...

www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/hosea/14-9.html

Hosea 14:9 "Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent..." Read verse in New King James Version

10.     Hosea 14 | Bible.org - Worlds Largest Bible Study Site

bible.org/seriespage/hosea-14

(12:1-14:9) Hosea's Plea to Israel: ... NKJV "For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips" ... 14:9 This is a wisdom proverb much like the book of Revelation, ...