Pride Goes Before Destruction
March 21, 2019
Commentary
TEMPER IS WHAT GETS MANY OF US INTO TROUBLE. PRIDE KEEPS US THERE.
These verses discuss pride, humility and disaster (vv. 18-19). Pride blinds and humility opens the eyes. It is easy to tolerate in ourselves what, when we see it in the life of someone else, fills us with disgust. Often you will find those in leadership who constantly tend to put others down in an attempt to lift themselves up. They may become very legalistic in their way of life and try to get everyone to live according to their demands. Then they become very proud of the fact they don’t do this and they don’t do that. True humility is rarely a characteristic of this type of person.
This next verse says that if a man is to have success he needs two things (v. 20). Wisdom is needed to teach him what to expect from himself, and trust will show him what to expect from the Lord. The man of wisdom sees more reality in the smallest promises of God’s Word than in the greatest demonstrations of what this world has to offer. Psalm 2:12 says, “Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” This is the person who is going to find true happiness in this life.
The condition of the heart is of prime importance. If the heart is right, the words of the lips will bring to pass an ever-widening circle of listeners (v. 21). Unless our preaching and teaching comes from the heart it will be just so many words that goes from our lips to their ears and accomplish nothing more. This means sharing things from our heart in such a way that others will want to listen and as a result they will be motivated to take action on what we have shared.
Application
I need to watch out for pride that may creep into my life. It is very hard to see it in my own life so I need to ask close friends to point it out to me. If I am truly humble I probably will not know it.
Proverbs 16:18– 22 (NET)
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud.
20 The one who deals wisely in a matter will find success, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
21 The one who is wise in heart is called discerning, and kind speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Insight is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools.
Illustration: Lord Forgives But The Scars Remain
Not long ago I was talking to a Christian leader who had fallen into immorality. He shared with me that prior to his fall he had become a very prideful person and thought he was above ever falling into sin. At this point he fell and can never be restored to the position he once held. He is now very repentant and the Lord will forgive him but he has scars that can never be removed. (Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author).