The Excess Baggage of Pride
Part 2 of the “Getting Over It” Lenten message series
17 As He (Jesus) was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do so that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 But Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not give false testimony, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth.” 21 Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But he was deeply dismayed by these words, and he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. 23 And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus responded again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” – Mark 10:17-25 (NASB)
The BIG Idea for Part 2 of “Getting Over it:”
Pride grows because we crave independence and self-sufficiency, yet we are called to depend on God in humility. When we are full of ourselves, there is no room for God. God wants us to be our real selves with God and with others.
The Message Notes:
Pride – “Arrogancy, excellency, majesty, pomp, swelling.” (Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon)
ILLUSTRATION: My Final Historical Seminar Paper and Dr. Bowen’s bleeding red pen
Pride is the result of comparing ourselves with others and basing our identity and worth on our possessions, knowledge, appearance, and performance.
The “Rich Young Ruler” was deeply proud of his position and status.
One reason people resist the transformation Jesus offers is because they choose to focus on what they may need to surrender, instead of what they will gain through the transformation.
*One of the most loving things we can do for another is to look them in the eye and tell the truth.
Pride is often the hidden sin, one that is a little more acceptable for “Christians” to carry around in their luggage.
“Over the years, I have decided to ditch working on my ‘reputation’ and work on my ‘reality.’ In other words, my integrity is the key to solidify how others view me. Remember, the term ‘integrity’ simply means ‘one’ or ‘whole.’ In math, an integer is a single digit. When I have integrity, it doesn’t mean I’m a perfect leader. It means what I say and what I do are the same. I am transparent about who I am. It is the opposite of hypocrisy. As I work on my character my reputation takes care of itself, because I am not pretending to be anyone other than who I really am.” - Tim Elmore (The One Thing That’s More Important than Your Reputation)
ILLUSTRATION: A toddler who doesn’t want to give up a toy. (Stiff-Necked or Stubborn)
9 Now He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and began praying this in regard to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 18:9-14 (NASB)
There is pride, then there is spiritual pride as we see in Luke 18.
“Spiritual Pride” is when we say . . .
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling. – Proverbs 16:18 (NASB)
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Be assured, he will not go unpunished. – Proverbs 16:5 (NASB)
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. – I Peter 5:5 (NASB)
The more pride we have, the further we fall from God.
The closer we are to God, the humbler and more broken we become.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted. – Luke 14:11 (NASB)
Questions for Reflection:
Do you remember a time in which you were a little too confident and were humbled by a situation?
Name some things in which people may take pride in during these modern times?
Are you able to spot pride in yourself? What type of pride affects you the most?
Why do you think pride may be a hidden sin? Is this a sin we are okay with in the Church?
What are some reasons children show pride or stubbornness? How about adults?
How can pride affect our relationship with God and our faith journey?
How and in what areas is God humbling you so that you’ll depend more on Jesus instead of yourself?
Why is it important to remember that only Christ-like humility can push out pride?
The BIG Idea for Part 2 of “Getting Over it:”
Pride grows because we crave independence and self-sufficiency, yet we are called to depend on God in humility. When we are full of ourselves, there is no room for God. God wants us to be our real selves with God and with others.
The Message Notes:
Pride – “Arrogancy, excellency, majesty, pomp, swelling.” (Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon)
ILLUSTRATION: My Final Historical Seminar Paper and Dr. Bowen’s bleeding red pen
Pride is the result of comparing ourselves with others and basing our identity and worth on our possessions, knowledge, appearance, and performance.
The “Rich Young Ruler” was deeply proud of his position and status.
One reason people resist the transformation Jesus offers is because they choose to focus on what they may need to surrender, instead of what they will gain through the transformation.
*One of the most loving things we can do for another is to look them in the eye and tell the truth.
Pride is often the hidden sin, one that is a little more acceptable for “Christians” to carry around in their luggage.
“Over the years, I have decided to ditch working on my ‘reputation’ and work on my ‘reality.’ In other words, my integrity is the key to solidify how others view me. Remember, the term ‘integrity’ simply means ‘one’ or ‘whole.’ In math, an integer is a single digit. When I have integrity, it doesn’t mean I’m a perfect leader. It means what I say and what I do are the same. I am transparent about who I am. It is the opposite of hypocrisy. As I work on my character my reputation takes care of itself, because I am not pretending to be anyone other than who I really am.” - Tim Elmore (The One Thing That’s More Important than Your Reputation)
ILLUSTRATION: A toddler who doesn’t want to give up a toy. (Stiff-Necked or Stubborn)
9 Now He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and began praying this in regard to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 18:9-14 (NASB)
There is pride, then there is spiritual pride as we see in Luke 18.
“Spiritual Pride” is when we say . . .
- “I’m better than you.”
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling. – Proverbs 16:18 (NASB)
- “I can handle it myself.”
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Be assured, he will not go unpunished. – Proverbs 16:5 (NASB)
- “It doesn’t apply to me.”
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. – I Peter 5:5 (NASB)
The more pride we have, the further we fall from God.
The closer we are to God, the humbler and more broken we become.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted. – Luke 14:11 (NASB)
- When we are full of ourselves, there is no room for God.
- When we empty ourselves, we are in the perfect position for God to work in and through us.
- Pride is about my glory. Humility is about God’s glory!
Questions for Reflection:
Do you remember a time in which you were a little too confident and were humbled by a situation?
Name some things in which people may take pride in during these modern times?
Are you able to spot pride in yourself? What type of pride affects you the most?
Why do you think pride may be a hidden sin? Is this a sin we are okay with in the Church?
What are some reasons children show pride or stubbornness? How about adults?
How can pride affect our relationship with God and our faith journey?
How and in what areas is God humbling you so that you’ll depend more on Jesus instead of yourself?
Why is it important to remember that only Christ-like humility can push out pride?