Download This Study For Free!
Please feel free to Download this study.
SATAN
EGO*
L
F
1. Pride occurs when we desire to take the credit and the praise for what God has done..."Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his riches." (Jeremiah 9:23). Pride also occurs when we, like Satan, are not content being a creature, but desire to be number one in the universe: "I will make myself like the Most High." (Isaiah 14:14b)
2. The Bible predicts that pride leads to "destruction" and a "fall" (Proverbs 16:18); to "downfall" (Proverbs 18:12); and to "disgrace" (shame) (Proverbs 11:2). It will bring a man "low" (Proverbs 29:23).
3. God also hates pride: "There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: 'haughty eyes…" (Proverbs 6:16,17a). "I hate pride and arrogance…" (Proverbs 8:13a)
4. In James 4:6 we learn the "God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble." Which, then, do we want to be, proud or humble?
5. The following are some guidelines from the Bible on how we can deal with our pride by humbling ourselves:
• Acknowledge that there is nothing that was not given to us by God: "What
do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not." ( I Corinthians 4:1b)
• We are to humble ourselves and acknowledge our sins: "Wash your hands,
you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded…confess your sins to each other" (James 4:8b,5:16a)
• We are not to compare ourselves with others: "We do not dare to classify
or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves they are not wise." (II Corinthians 10:12)
• We are not to boast about ourselves, but boast about God: "but let him
who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me.." (Jeremiah 9:24)
6. Which of these guidelines has spoken to you the most?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."