What other scriptures warn against pride and not listening to God's commands? Jeremiah’s Picture of Useless Pride • Jeremiah 13:10 – “This wicked people, who refuse to listen to My words, who follow the stubbornness of their own hearts, and who follow other gods to serve and worship them, will be like this belt—completely useless!” • God links pride, stubbornness, and deafness to His voice, showing they ruin usefulness in His service. Wisdom Literature: Simple, Sharp Warnings • Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” • Proverbs 11:2 – “When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.” • Proverbs 18:12 – “Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.” • Proverbs 1:24-26 – “Because you refused to listen when I called … I in turn will laugh at your calamity.” • Ecclesiastes 7:8 – “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and a patient spirit is better than a proud one.” Kings Who Learned the Hard Way • 2 Chronicles 26:16 – “But when he was strong, Uzziah grew proud, to his destruction.” • 2 Chronicles 32:25 – “Hezekiah did not repay the LORD according to the favor shown him, for his heart was proud; therefore wrath came upon him.” • Daniel 4:37 – “Those who walk in pride He is able to humble.” (Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony) The Law & Early Warnings in the Wilderness • Deuteronomy 8:14 – “Then your heart will become proud, and you will forget the LORD your God.” • Deuteronomy 17:20 – Kings must keep God’s law “so that his heart will not be lifted up above his brothers.” • Leviticus 26:19 – “I will break down your stubborn pride and make your sky like iron and your land like bronze.” Prophets Echo the Theme • Isaiah 2:11-12 – “The proud look of man will be brought low … the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.” • Hosea 5:5 – “Israel’s arrogance testifies against them … even Judah stumbles with them.” • Zechariah 7:11-12 – “They refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs … They made their hearts like flint and would not listen.” Songs & Psalms of Hard or Humble Hearts • Psalm 10:4 – “In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God.” • Psalm 95:7-8 – “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” • 2 Samuel 22:28 – “Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.” New Testament Amplification • James 4:6 – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” • 1 Peter 5:5-6 – “Clothe yourselves with humility … Humble yourselves … that He may exalt you.” • Romans 2:5 – “Because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath.” • 1 John 2:16 – “The pride of life … is not from the Father but from the world.” • Revelation 3:17 – “You say, ‘I am rich … need nothing,’ but you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” Where Pride Leads—And How to Avoid It • Pride silences the ear to God and invites His discipline; humility opens the heart to grace. • Scripture’s united voice—from Law, Prophets, Wisdom, Gospels, and Epistles—calls for a listening, obedient spirit. • Walking in humble dependence keeps the “belt” of our lives useful to the Master instead of “completely useless.” |
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