WhatŐs So Terrible About Pride?

Isaiah 14:12-14

 

You canŐt avoid the war, but you can choose to be on the winning side.

á      Satan is at war with God to dishonor Him (e.g. Job), & destroy His believers.

á      Satan is defeated & his power is broken, & the war for our souls has been won thru ChristŐs crucifixion & resurrection. (Col 2:13-15; 1Cor 15:56-57)

á      You can choose to be a part of the winning teamÉ will you choose?

 

Giving ground to the enemy. (Eph 4:27)

á      Christians cannot be demon possessedÉ they can be influenced (demonized) by Satan.

á      Demons can only influence believers to the extent that we allow them to do so.

á      Act of allowing Satan to take any amount of control in our life is called Ňgiving groundÓ.

á      When you give ground to Satan, you give him legal permission to attack you.

á      Given ground, Satan then attacks us with destructive temptations & lies.

á      Our biggest problem is not SatanÉ but ourselves. If we desire to hold on to sin, we give Satan the ground he needs to launch his destructive attacks against us.

 

The original sinÉ PRIDE! (Isa 14:14; Eze 28:17)

á      Pride: to think more highly of self than justified; inordinate self esteem; an unreasonable conceit of oneŐs own superiority in talent, beauty, accomplishments, rank, etc.

á      Self: deceitful & wicked (Jer 17:9); foundation of all evil (Mk 7:21); greedy & self-indulgent (Mt 23:25); no one is righteous, all have sinned & fall shortÉ  (Rm 3:10,23)

á      Pride was the original sin in GodŐs universeÉ angel Lucifer allowed his heart to swell with pride at his exalted position. His pride led to rebellion. (Eze 28:17)

á      How you have fallen from heaven; Lucifer, son of the morningÉ you said in your heartÉ I will make myself like the Most High. But you are brought downÉ (Isa 14:12-14)

á      Pride is usually the source of our problemÉ the ŇgroundÓ from which Satan is able to launch his attacks & build his stronghold of lies.

á      Satan said in his heartÉ as a person thinks in his heart, so is he. (Pr 23:7)

á      I will be like the Most High (El ElyonÉ the sovereign one who reigns)É he wanted to rule, to run his own life. (Isa 14:14)

á      Of the seven sins God hates mostÉ pride is at the top. (Pr 6:16-17)

á      Everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord. (Pr 16:5)

á      Pride is allowing self to sit on the throne of my life instead of Christ.

o     The sin of pride is rebellion against GodŐs sovereign rule.

á      Our pride sets us up as the final authorityÉ deciding for ourselves whatŐs right & wrong.

á      Only by pride comes contention (13:10)É pride is at the root of contention in your home.

á      The Lord will destroy the house of the proud. (Pr 15:25)

 

Dealing with pride. (Ja 4:6-7)

á      Antidote to pride is recognizing GodŐs graceÉ that in ourselves we have nothing to offer.

á      We need grace for spiritual victoryÉ but what is grace?

á      God gives us both the desire & power we need to do His willÉ thatŐs grace. (Phil 2:13)

á      God promises to give us more graceÉ more desire & power to stand & resist Satan. (4:6)

á      With all this grace & power available to us, why are there so many defeated Christians?

á      The problem is prideÉ when we let pride into our lives, God withholds His grace. (v.6)

á      After pride comes a fall. (Pr 16:18) SatanŐs destructive temptation is too strong for us & without GodŐs power we fall.

á      God gives grace to the humbleÉ who say, ŇLord, I need you. I canŐt do it without you.Ó

á      The key to dealing with your prideÉ Submit yourselves therefore to God. (Ja 4:7)

á      First submit to GodÉthen from place of humble submission you are ready to resist Satan.

á      ItŐs not natural to relinquish control of your life to anyone elseÉ submission is a battle.

o     Because your ways are not GodŐs ways, it is hard to say no to yourself & your will.

á      We cannot resist Satan in our own powerÉ we must submit to GodŐs terms & plan.

á      Am I willing to submit to God in every area of my lifeÉ to be under His authority?

á      Who is in charge? Who is going to be the final authority in your life?

á      Will you hold on to the throne of your heart in stubborn pride, or let the Lord be Lord?

á      If youŐre resisting God in any area in your life, you wonŐt have strength to resist Satan.

á      To deal with your prideÉ you must deny yourself. (Lk 9:23)

o     We can never totally rid ourselves of prideÉ not as long as weŐre in this body.

á      You must also take up your crossÉ yielding to GodŐs will in your life.

á      You must daily reckon it trueÉ you are crucified & itŐs Christ who lives in you. (Gal 2:20)

á      There are only two waysÉ GodŐs way, or your way. Which will it be in your life?

 

Steps to freedom from pride.

á      Place all the areas of your life under GodŐs control (work, finances, reputation, marriage, entertainment, health).  (God, for me to live is Christ.)

á      Every day make a conscious decision to die to self (Lk 9:23; Gal 2:20) & be committed to GodŐs will & purpose for your life.

á      Memorize:  Lk 9:23; & Gal 2:20

á      Ask GodŐs forgiveness for the areas of your life you have built around self, & surrender them to God.  Ask Him to take back any ground you have surrendered to Satan.