"When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom."
Proverbs 11:2
Part 1
“When pride cometh.”
The proud have one primary thought on their minds—themselves! They are their own favorite subject. They think they are better than all, above all, and ought to be treated better than they are by everyone…
What an ugly portrait pride paints in a person’s life! Pride does not finish their painting, but shame does.
“Then cometh shame.”
It is a sure thing, if pride has come, it will be followed by shame.
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
“Before destruction, the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility” (Proverbs 18:12).
King Nebuchadnezzar is a sad example of one whose pride got God’s attention and he immediately was brought down low to humility.
“The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty? While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will” (Daniel 4:30-32).
Other examples of shame that caught people in their foolish pride are found in the Bible.
Miriam foolishly stepped out of line against her brother’s authority, and her reward was leprosy (Numbers 12:10).
Uzziah, the King, haughtily thought he could do the priest’s job, and instant leprosy was his legacy (2 Chronicles 26:16-21).
Moab’s arrogance condemned them to destruction as Sodom and Gomorrah were (Zephaniah 2:8-10).
Ananias and Sapphira were buried the same day that they proudly lied to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11).
I’m sure you can think of several other stories of pride and shame. Believers, aren’t you glad our Lord gives us His grace and mercy? But for His grace, there go I!
How does God treat those who are humble? Not fake, put-on hypocritical play-acting, but the real thing? Come back tomorrow and let’s talk more.
Quote: “Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful” (John Wooden).