“But know this, that in the last days…. men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good…. having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Tim. 3:1-5).
It is terrible that all this is not about worldly people, but about those who have a form of godliness.
From the above quotation, I want to highlight pride.
As a rule, people think that pride is inherent to the rich and successful or those in leadership positions. But it is not true; pride can be in each person’s life, whether poor or rich, obscure or popular. This is a disease that destroys those who are faithful to it. Pride is a gross exaltation of one’s own self, and in fact, this disease is after each person.
When the hidden pride comes into surface? With some, this can happen after a big success, when they become popular or are appointed to a high position. Pride can also grow unnoticed when people around someone lavish them with praises, whether meaning it or just flattering. Pride can come out in poverty as well. Some people, although financially insecure, go into terrible debt; they buy expensive clothes, go to prestigious hotels and restaurants… it is pride that makes them run this crazy race, and be possessed with a desire of keeping up with others.
The proud do not know their own limits and forget the person through whom God raised them. Abraham and Lot were together in a foreign land. Lot was with Abraham enjoying his blessings; however, he started to think that he had acquired great wealth through his own abilities. When their shepherds had quarrels about their pastures, Abraham suggested Lot to separate and generously offered him to choose where he would prefer to go. Lot forgot who was standing before him; he made use of the opportunity at once and chose the best part of the land. He separated from Abraham, taking everything he owned. The trials did not keep him waiting; the enemy attacked Lot and robbed him of everything. The pride of material wealth blinded Lot to the extent that he did not even think whether he would be able to confront the enemy alone without Abraham. Abraham generously hurried to his rescue. He chased the enemy and restored to Lot everything “to the last penny” (Gen. 14:10-16). Abraham remained humble, because he knew Who was the Giver of both possessions and victory.
Pride blinds a person, and deprives them of common sense and sound judgment. Ahithophel, the counselor of King David, committed suicide, as his advice to Absalom and the court nobility was rejected. Ahithophel was a wise person, “Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom” (2 Sam. 16:23). However, on that occasion, the Lord had other plans, and “Absalom and all the men of Israel said, ‘The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.’ For the Lord had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring disaster on Absalom” (2 Sam. 17:14). The Lord is the One Who gives wisdom and controls the situations, but Ahithophel failed to realize that. “Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he… went to his house, to his city… and hanged himself, and died” (2 Sam. 17:23).
Pride also hardens a person’s heart and makes them cruel. It is written about king Nebuchadnezzar, “And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him” (Dan. 5:19-20).
A proud person becomes unrestrained and commits abominable things, without considering the Creator of the Universe, the Lord of Lords, “And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit” (Ez. 16:50).
Some people, either neglecting or being ignorant of God’s will, try to establish themselves by self-exaltation, as Adonijah. “Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king”; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen…” (1 Kgs. 1:5). God had other plans, and despite of everything Adonijah did and all the great men that supported him, He destroyed all his plans and actions. Solomon was anointed as king instead.
The Lord is unspeakably patient and full of mercy; however, He is merciless toward the unrepentant. “For the day of the Lord of hosts shall come upon everything proud and lofty, upon everything lifted up, and it shall be brought low” (Is. 2:12).
“Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies” (1 Cor. 8:1).
As there is no darkness in the light, so there is no pride in love and meekness. “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up” (1 Cor. 13:4).
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Mat. 11:29).
The Lord gives glory and honor to those who are meek and who do His will; and these people realize that only God is the Giver and the Lord of glory. “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor” (Pr. 29:23).
Whoever tries to attribute the glory of the Lord to themselves or to receive glory from men, has a horrible end. “…Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, ‘The voice of a god and not of a man!’ Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died” (Acts 12:21-23).
Glory and exaltation can only be given to God the Creator, as only He holds the eternity in His hands; He is the Unsurpassed One, Who has no beginning and no end. Man has no ability to carry the glory, as one of the properties of the glory is that glory destroys everyone who desires to unlawfully appropriate it. So many were destroyed by the burden of glory and pride!
“And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen” (Mat. 6:13). This prayer taught by Jesus once again confirms that God is the Lord of Glory.