SCHOOL of SUFFERING SERIES PART I1.C
By Augusto Y. Hermosilla
ADMONITIONS AGAINST THE SIN OF PRIDE
Satan’s pride led to his downfall and judgment. That’s why, Solomon warned of this sin of pride in the following verses:
Proverbs 11:2
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Proverbs 14:3
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
Proverbs 16:18,19
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Proverbs 29:23
23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Because Paul was given many deep revelations by the Lord, He was also given a thorn in the flesh as God’s way to keep him humble, lest the greatness of God’s revelations would make him proud to cause his fall.
Pride leads to disgrace, while humility, which depicts a submissive, modest spirit before both God and man, leads to or accompanies wisdom. Proverbs 13:10 contrasts pride and wisdom. The word for “pride” (zadon, for arrogance) is from the verb zid to mean “to boil up” (as in cooking), and sounds much like the Hebrew word for disgrace (qalon). Pride leads to one’s downfall (see Proverbs 18:12; 29:23). Pride is so despicable so that a person should wisely avoid it even if it would mean being economically oppressed. For example, to share plunder acquired by violent or dishonest means with the proud will not go unpunished. The reverse effects of pride and humility warn against the one and encourage the other. Ironically, pride by which a person seeks to elevate himself, actually results in his being brought low, whereas one who is of lowly spirit is elevated by others to a position of honour (cf. Prov. 3:34, 15:33, 16:18-19, 18:12). God hates pride because it would influence a person to forget God’s provisions and graces and to live independently of Him so as to play God as if he is Divine Providence personified.
So, the disciples of Christ are admonished in
James 4:6
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
1 Peter 5:5-7
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
It is so clear in these admonitions that God opposes the proud. The Greek word antitassetai translated as “opposes” or “resists” is a military term meaning “to battle against”. However, God gives grace to the humble. Whether a disciple is called to resist his human spirit which can tend toward greed and envy or to rejoice in the Holy Spirit who jealously yearns for each disciple’s edification, the admonition is to shun pride and to humbly submit to God’s authority. A humble disciple will be rewarded with God’s gracious favours. So, Peter admonished younger disciples to willingly submit to the authority of those in leadership position usually by older mature members. Alluding to Christ’s girding Himself with towel to teach humility to His disciples, He also exhorted both young and old disciples to clothe themselves with humility. True humility is aattractive dress. The practice of humility is the prerequisite to service, which is the practice of humility.
OTHER EGREGIOUS EXAMPLES OF SATANIC PRIDE
And pride that led to rebellion against God’s sovereignty which makes creatures forget about their Creator’s glory would bear the fruits of suffering for the proud!!! One can not fight God in His ultimate power!!! And the judgments of proud demigods can be seen through the flow of world’s history: Nebuchadnezzar became zoenthropic (reduced to animal likeness) after his proud pronouncements so that God made him learn that God is the One Who rules the universe. Nebuchadnezzar, the conqueror of Ethbaal III of Tyre, failed to acknowledge that the power was God’s but only given to him. He became proud and arrogant (Dan. 4:30), but God humbled him by stripping him of his throne and degenerated to live like an animal with the wild donkeys. Through this discipline, Nebuchadnezzar came to recognize God’s great authority and power (Dan. 4:34-35). Though his seven years of insanity was hidden from the populace, they were known by the royal family (Dan. 5:22).
But though Belshazzar knew what his predecessor experienced (Dan. 5:22-24), and should have learned from it, he did not learn humility. In fact, he openly defied the Lord of heaven by drinking from the goblets taken from the temple in Jerusalem (Dan. 5:2,3), and by praising man-made gods (v.4). Those idols have no life, but in contrast, the true God not only has life, but held Belshazzar’s life in His hand. Belshazzar, knowing about God, failed to honour and to know Him. Just as God judged Nebuchadnezzar’s pride by removing him from his throne, so would He similarly judge Belshazzar’s pride by taking his kingdom and giving it to another people. This judgment of being numbered, weighed, and divided was written on the wall, which the wise men were unable to read but only Daniel with his wisdom given by God. The message was that because of the moral and spiritual degradation of the king and his kingdom, God would terminate the Babylonian empire, and give it to the Medes and Persians, as fulfilment of the earlier prophecy of Daniel in interpretation of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar of the idol representing the pride of human government and kingdoms of the world.
And as can be read on the bloody pages of human history, all other proud demigods, monarchs, and conquerors were debased by God, e.g., Alexander the Great, the Hitlers, the Hirohitos, etc…..
