Proverbs 16:18. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride was Satan’s original sin. He wanted to be God instead of finding his joy in serving God. Satan tempted Adam and Eve with this same pride. Proverbs 16:18 was lived out right there in the center of the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve, like their new father, Satan, thought they could be like God by eating the fruit of knowledge. They wanted to live life without needing God to tell them what to do.
The irony is that God had created them to be like the Trinity. In fact, they were already like God, made in his image and likeness. They had been made just a little lower than Elohim and crowned with glory and honor (Psalm 8). They had all dominion and authority over everything in creation. They had fellowship with God in the cool breezes of the Garden. They were scientists, artists, engineers, farmers, royal priests!
But then tragically pride arose in their hearts. There was one thing that they didn’t have – a system for self-determining right from wrong, good from evil. They didn’t have autonomy. They didn’t get to determine morality for themselves. So they followed their hearts straight to hell and ate the forbidden fruit.
Ever since Adam and Eve, we have all been born into pride, believing that we don’t need God. Today Satan’s message of pride is everywhere. “Follow your heart.” “Be your true self.” “You can do anything you put your mind to.” “I just want you to be happy.” “You deserve it.”
Be what you want to be. Do what you want to do. Buy what you want to buy.
But God says, Pride goes before destruction. Living a life of pride, of self-centeredness, of putting yourself first WILL destroy you. Why? Why is pride so destructive? Well fundamentally, you can’t be a Christian and be proud. In order to receive Jesus as your savior you have to first admit that you NEED a savior. That means you have to swallow your pride and ask for help. You have to confess that you are too weak and powerless to save yourself. If you choose to stay proud you will be separated from God forever, the ultimate destruction.
Also in our everyday life pride is destructive. The proud person never asks for help. They don’t admit mistakes or learn anything from others. If you choose to stay proud you will be separated from others too. Every relationship with be destroyed by your pride. If you have a haughty spirit, it’s just a matter of time before you fall. Before you stretch yourself beyond your limit simply because you think you can.
Christ in us is the only real cure for pride available to the human heart. Our union with Christ’s cross tells us two things that can actually remove pride. First, our union with the cross of Christ allows us to see just how wicked, low, and unworthy we really are. Not a single one of us could save ourselves. God had to die for us all. How dare we ever try to self-promote when we know this great love and mercy. Second, our union with the cross of Christ has made us worthy to be seated on the throne next to Christ in the heavenly places. When you have received the greatest of promotions ever, there can be no need for self-promotion. When you have every eternal blessing already, why bother with the pride required to get more of this world’s temporary pleasures?
You: Where can you see your pride taking you down a path of destruction?
You in Christ: How does union with Christ actually remove our need for pride and self-importance?
Christ in you: Where can you see Christ and his cross humbling you? If you can’t see this, why can’t you?
Pray: Father, make me humble as I learn to trust my union with the cross more and more. Amen.
To Live is Christ 