Sunday, July 11, 2010

Seven Deadly Sins: Pride 7.5 - July 11, 2010

7 Deadly Sins
7.5 – Pride

James 4:6-7 (New International Version)
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

What is it?
Why is it such a big deal?
People have tried all kinds of ways to deal with the issue of pride in life…
 
Proverbs 16:2 (New International Version)
All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.

What does a humble person look like?

1.    A Humble Person Sees People From God’s Perspective.
Ephesians 4:29-32 (New International Version)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Philippians 2:3-5 (New International Version)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Matthew 6:1-2 (New International Version)
Be careful not to do your “acts of righteousness” before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

2.    A Humble Person Trusts God’s Timing.We somehow get the idea that God is holding out on us.  When we believe that we “deserve” better than God is giving us, we press our own agenda.  That never works out well.
 
Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 (New International Version)
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.

3.    A Humble Person is Beneficially Honest. In 2 regards – self and others
Romans 12:3 (New International Version)
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

Ephesians 4:29 (New International Version)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

4.    A Humble Person Finds Value in What God has Made Them.
Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
 
Psalm 139

Some Questions to ask:1.    What do I want people to say of me?
2.    Do I see people from God’s perspective?
3.    Do I trust God to take care of the details in my life?
4.    Do I feel like I need to be vindicated when I am wronged?
5.    Do I see my value from God’s perspective or the world’s?
6.    Do I look for opportunities to build others up or build myself up at others’ expense?

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