Topical Bible: Pride: They Who are Guilty of, Shall Be: Abased

◄ Pride: They Who are Guilty of, Shall Be: Abased ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Pride, a sin often highlighted in the Scriptures, is characterized by an inflated sense of one's own worth or abilities, often leading to a disregard for others and a rebellion against God. The Bible consistently warns against pride, emphasizing that those who harbor it will ultimately be brought low.

Biblical Warnings Against Pride

The Bible is replete with admonitions against pride, underscoring its destructive nature. Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse succinctly captures the inevitable downfall that accompanies pride, serving as a cautionary reminder of its perilous consequences.

In the New Testament, James 4:6 echoes this sentiment: "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" Here, the opposition of God to the proud is clear, indicating that pride sets one against the divine will and invites divine resistance.

Examples of Pride and Its Consequences

The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals and nations who were abased due to their pride. One of the most notable is King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. In Daniel 4:30-31 , Nebuchadnezzar boasts of his accomplishments, saying, "Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?" His pride leads to his downfall, as God humbles him by driving him away from human society until he acknowledges God's sovereignty.

Similarly, the account of Pharaoh in the book of Exodus illustrates the consequences of pride. Pharaoh's refusal to humble himself before God and let the Israelites go results in a series of devastating plagues upon Egypt, culminating in the loss of his firstborn son and the eventual destruction of his army in the Red Sea (Exodus 14:28).

The Humbling of Nations

Pride is not limited to individuals; entire nations can be guilty of this sin and face abasement as a result. The prophet Isaiah speaks of the pride of Moab, declaring in Isaiah 16:6 , "We have heard of Moab’s pride, his exceeding pride and conceit, his overflowing arrogance. But his boasting is empty." The judgment pronounced upon Moab serves as a warning to all nations that exalt themselves above God.

The Call to Humility

In contrast to pride, the Bible extols the virtue of humility. Jesus Christ, in His teachings, often emphasized the importance of humility. In Matthew 23:12 , He states, "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." This principle is a cornerstone of Christian ethics, encouraging believers to adopt a posture of humility before God and others.

The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 2:3 , urges believers, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves." This call to humility is a direct counter to the sin of pride, promoting a life that reflects the character of Christ.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative is clear: pride leads to abasement. Whether in the lives of individuals or nations, the sin of pride is met with divine opposition and eventual downfall. The Scriptures call believers to a life of humility, recognizing that true exaltation comes from God alone.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 4:37
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 23:12
And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prayer and Humility
... is the picture of humility against pride in praying ... Happy are they who have no
righteousness of their ... so brilliantly, as when it feels all guilty, confesses all ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/ii prayer and humility.htm

The Pharisee and Publican
... at the best; inwardly he is full of pride, self- justification ... for they might easily
know it was spoken against them ... a wretch as I dare to lift up my guilty head ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the pharisee and publican.htm

The Way of Life and the Way of Death.
... thy brother, and not become guilty on his ... The Prohibition of Murmuring, Insolence,
Pride, and Arrogance. ... blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on the two ways.htm

Book iii.
... be unable to do so, or will be guilty of envy ... So then your prayer outdoes the pride
of the Pharisee, and ... be exalted." The Apostles are humbled that they may be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book iii.htm

Carnal or Spiritual?
... and Peter said twice over, "Lord, if they all deny ... In his carnal pride, in his carnal
unlovingness, in the ... that a child of God could be guilty of; "publicly ...
/.../murray/the deeper christian life/iii carnal or spiritual.htm

The First Fruits of the Spirit
... us," if our own conscience beareth witness that we are guilty, undoubtedly God ... thereto;
nor by reason of sin cleaving to all they do ... The pride that lurks within ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 8 the first fruits.htm

The Seventh Book
... men who, we believe, were actually guilty only of ... confidence in a complete victory
as they had recently ... the Goths, the same overweening pride engulfed them in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm

The Conversion of Paul.
... Pharisees in Jerusalem, who were not guilty of such ... to this man, compared with whom
they were innocent ... goodness, that the disappointed, confounded pride of man ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xii the conversion of.htm

Things that Accompany Salvation
... whoever casts himself on Christ as a guilty sinner, is ... cut down the thick trees of
our pride and abase ... jewellers come in and complete the whole: they array the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/things that accompany salvation.htm

Sanctification.
... to condemn himself in those things, if he was really guilty. ... and perfectly sanctified
in this life, lest they should flatter human pride, seeming to ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxviii sanctification.htm