Pride and Humility

Isaiah 2:11-12 (ESV)

The haughty looks of man shall be brought low,

and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled,

and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

For the LORD of hosts has a day

against all that is proud and lofty,

against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low;

Isaiah 2 begins by talking about the restoration of Jerusalem. It will one day be a world center. People will come there for justice, and peace will reign. But, before Israel can be exalted it will be brought low. False religion, greed, and pride permeate God’s people. They will be brought down before they are lifted up.

Isn’t that how God works? Jesus repeatedly taught that the last shall be first, the first shall be last, greatness is found in serving, and pride leads to destruction. What is it about pride that is so bad? Aren’t we supposed to be proud of our accomplishments? Shouldn’t we be proud of our children? Isn’t a good self-image a good thing? The Apostle Paul wrote “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (2 Cor 1:30). He recognized the danger of self-sufficiency. Pride fails to recognize our utter dependence on God. It fails to acknowledge Jesus’s words, “apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Pride keeps us from faith, but Hebrews says, “without faith it is impossible to please him” (Heb 11:6). In other words, pride undermines the very basis of a relationship with God.

How many ministries exalt a man? How many churches have been ineffective because of pride? How many lives and families have been torn apart because someone was too proud to admit that they were wrong? How many relationships have been destroyed because of pride? Proverbs 16:18 reminds us that, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”  We can quote those verses, but the truth of them seems to pass right over our heads. We can see pride in others, but we miss it in ourselves. Pride keeps us from the rest and peace found in abiding in Christ by faith. It isolates us from others. It focuses on Law rather than grace. It is blind to one’s own indiscretions while dealing harshly with those of others. Pride is dangerous and deadly.

At the heart of pride is independence. At the heart of faith is dependence. The foundation of pride is self-sufficiency. The foundation of faith is Christ’s sufficiency. Pride separates. Humility draws together. Pride leads to destruction. Faith leads to rest and peace. Whether we are talking about individuals, families, churches, communities, or nations, humility is essential. Before God can bless Israel, he must first deal with their pride. The same is true in each of our lives. How is God dealing with pride in your life today? Even as I read Isaiah 2 he reminded me of my own pride. God, forgive me. Today, may I walk in humble dependence on you.