The Asininity of Celebrating Pride
Christians often lament how biblically illiterate Americans have become. Terms have lost their meaning. Symbols have been stolen. Science is the new god in town. Politics and sports have so dominated American culture that if the parallel with the fall of Rome ever appeared realistic, it sure does now.
Whereas the knowledge of God blesses a nation, the loss of knowledge has a downward spiraling effect to it. Knowing God is not just for individuals; it is for nations. When a people know the living God of the Bible, they fear God. They understand how their sins against God provoke Him to wrath (Rom 1:18–32).
If a nation loses the knowledge of God, it is also the judgment of God upon them. God removes Himself from the unholy nation, as He did with Adam and Eve, and with Israel, at various points in history. One might look to the nation of Turkey, today. How strange it is to visit such a secular, godless nation and then read about all that occurred there in New Testament times. Turkey lost the Gospel, and its people live in a land of darkness.
What exactly replaces God when a person, group, or nation turns its back on God? One might say “demons,” or another suggests “idols,” and yet another affirms “man” replaces God. The fact is that all here are correct. A godless man or nation will create idols to worship, and behind every idol is a demon (evil spirit).
The sole purpose of the realm of sin is rebellion against God. Natural man is a slave of Satan (Jn 8:34; Rom 6:6; 16–20), who orchestrates his world system (2 Cor 4:4). Sin is the work order from the devil. His purposeful end is the destruction of humanity and the image of God.
Using deception, the chief deceiver convinces man of his greatness (Gen 3). Lucifer is the foremost life coach on the planet earth. He guides human beings into the labyrinth of pride. Here is the home of the ultimate narcissist. Satan is utterly absorbed with self. He teaches his children in the disciplines of self-centeredness. They, like their father (the devil) are filled with pride (Jn 8:44; 1 Jn 3:10).
Is there anything more insidious than pride in the world? Pride poses as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14). Wearing the garments of altruism, pride infects the local carpet cleaning business, the worst NFL team, the local elementary school, etc. The reason no one hides this ugly arrogance of overzealous self-importance is the lack of knowledge from God’s Word.
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling (Prv 16:18),” serves as an ominous warning for one not to think more highly of himself than he ought to (Rom 12:3). There is no grace from God for the proud (Job 35:11–3; Jas 4:6).
There are more warnings, “Do not lift up your horn on high; do not speak with insolent pride (Ps 75:5).” Life is fleeting, and so is pride, “for soon it is gone and we fly away (Ps 90:10).” Pride is the sure way to dishonor (Prv 11:2 29:23). God hates the pride of man (Prv 8:13), for it is thievery against God receiving all honor and glory.
The prophet Isaiah captured the sum of the matter, “The pride of man will be humbled and the loftiness of men will be abased; and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day (Is 2:7).” There is no one besides God, and He does not share Hs glory with another (Is 42:8; 48:11).
Iconic cities were thrown down by God, “And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans’ pride, will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah (Is 13:19).” God’s judgment against human pride spans all of history and the future, “The Lord of hosts has planned it, to defile the pride of all beauty, to despise all the honored of the earth (Is 23:9).”
God does not tolerate pride in His people, either (Jer 13:9). He brings the wicked to dwell in His profaned church (Ezek 7:24).
Pride has all the trappings of the world: greedy financial gain; overt sexual deviance; power and control of others; murders; thefts; deceit; envy; slander; and foolishness (Mk 7:21–23). Pride flaunts its appearance (2 Cor 5:12) and boasts with its words (1 Jn 2:16). Pride is utterly of the world and loves its place in the world. It parades itself, before God, in the streets of the city of doom. It holds its special days, weeks, and months to celebrate its wicked defiance against God.
The proud crush the weak, who from their affliction, pray, “Look on everyone who is proud and humble him, and tear down the wicked where they stand (Job 40:12).” Take comfort, for God fully recompenses the proud doer (Ps 31:23). He renders recompense (Ps 94:2) and tears down the house of the proud (Prv 15:25), for everyone who is proud is an abomination to the Lord (Prv 16:5).
Friend, are you celebrating pride, the mother of all sins? Consider the judgment of God, for His wrath is revealed against this ungodliness and unrighteousness (Rom 1:18). May I encourage you to repent of the abominable sin of pride in your life. Give credit, honor, glory, and thanksgiving to God alone. Apart from Jesus Christ, man can do absolutely nothing, to gain favor with God. Without Christ, your life is nothing but meaningless vanity. Humble yourself before Almighty God, and may He have mercy upon you before He issues His wrath against you.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
July 28, 2022
