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 ...