PRIDE

A BIBLICAL LOOK AT PRIDE

The purpose of this newsletter (and every one that I do) is to strike down the lies of Satan in the hearts and the minds of the people. To exalt the Word of God, to shine light into the darkness, to be a watchman and to stand in the gap, to be free from peoples blood in hopes that they come to the knowledge of the truth. Ezek. 22: 30 “And I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge and stand in the gap before me in the land, that I should not destroy it: but I have found none.”

PRIDE…. A CLOSER LOOK… AT A ROOT SIN

This newsletter is not exhaustive on the subject of pride. I have studied this subject throughout the Scriptures, however if I complied all the Scriptures, facts, and thoughts it would make a book.

There is something I’d like to make clear. I am not saying that I am sinless or without pride. I have asked Yehovah why He wants me to write about pride, when I still see it in myself. Two of the reasons I know of are because I’m not saying that pride is good, and many people in the Church today are. The other reason is that pride is decreasing in me, and humility is increasing in me, by the grace of God.

WHAT IS PRIDE?

Pride is the root of all sin. There is not one sin that you could name that could not be traced back to pride. I would go as far as to say that the two words of pride and sin are inseparable. You can’t have one without the other. When we choose to do things our way instead of God’s way, in any area, it is pride because we think we know better than God. Pride is haughty, arrogant, vain, boastful or bragging, puffed up, highminded, self esteem, or the exaltation of self. I have heard people say that low self esteem is the same as humility. This assumption is false. We are not to esteem ourselves whether it be high or low. Low self esteem is still self not God. Humility is a God thing, it doesn’t matter whether the lawn mower throttle is idled high or low either way it’s still running. Daniel was highly esteemed but not by himself. He was esteemed by God. Look what God did through him.

God isn’t looking for people that have high or low self esteem. God is looking for

people that are humble, not self willed, but God willed. If you have any kind of self esteem your engine is still running. Take yourself to the off position, and let Yehoshua be Master of your life.

Yehoshua said, “Why call me Master and not do the things I say.”

WHY DOES PRIDE EXIST?

God gave us a free will. God will not force people to love Him. Love is not something that can be forced, it is given freely, or not at all. God gives us a free will. We are not robots. We have a choice

To…..

Love or hate Obey or disobey

Be kind or rude Be patient or impatient

Gentle or angry Be faithful or unfaithful

Be joyful or grumpy Give glory to God or to ourselves

Follow Yehoshua or Satan We have the right to choose Heaven or Hell

The Truth or the Lie Be humble or to be prideful

What we find is that we are incapable of anything truly good until God’s love is poured out into us, by His Spirit coming to dwell in us, and this cannot happen until we repent of our sin by believing the Gospel of our Yehoshua Messiah. Romans 7:18 “Know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.”

This will not happen until God’s grace draws us to Him.

The hearts of mankind are wicked as long as this is so, pride will exist.

WHERE DOES PRIDE COME FROM?

Out of the heart. Mark 7: 20-23 “And He said that which cometh out of the man (mankind), that defiled the man. For from within, out of the heart of men (mankind) proceedth evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murderers, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness; All these evil things comes from within, and defileth a man.

2Chr 32:26 Jer 49:16 Ob 1:3

PRIDE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FALL OF LUCIFER (DEVIL)

The sin of pride is so deeply rooted that it goes back to the fall of Lucifer, who is now know as Satan or the Devil. Also in Revelation 12:3, 9, 13 20:2

He is known as the Red Dragon. In Job 41:34, in this passage of Scripture it is plain to see this is a red dragon and it says that this red dragon “is king over all the children of pride”

Ezekiel 29 talks about the dragon in the midst of Egypt and how it exalted itself and that God would make Egypt a base nation and so it is today, never to be a great power again. All because of pride. Also it talks about the dragon and the fish sticking to its scales that God would leave thee thrown into the wilderness, thee and all the fish of the rivers. This parallels Rev. 12:9 and the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, call the Devil, and Satan, which decieveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth and his angels with him (demons). Yehoshua says in Luke 10:18. “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”

1 Timothy 3:6 says, that new Believer’s shouldn’t be leaders in the church “Not a novice, (a new convert) lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the Devil. This is what happened to Lucifer (Shining One) Is. 14:4-20 says “How art thou fallen from heaven O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High., Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”

Lucifer means shining one, 2 Cor. 11:14,15 says that Satan and his demons appear as angels of light. So, he still shines, but only in a false appearance. He is darkness and his path leads to Hell. Satan tried to exalt himself. Satan fell. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

PRIDE WAS CAUSE OF FALL OF MANKIND

In the Garden of Eden, before the fall of mankind, man had peace with God. Adam and Eve walked with God, they had all they would ever need. God told them they couldn’t eat from one tree, and if they did that they would surely die. Then the devil came along to tempt Eve, to destroy the peace and love that mankind had with God. The devil called God a liar and said that they wouldn’t die if they disobeyed God. Then told them, “THE LIE” that is still being told to people by the devil today. That “ye shall be as God’s”

God didn’t lie to them. They would not have seen death if they obeyed. Death did not come into the world until after they sinned from that moment they died spiritually and physically. This is why people die everyday, our fault, not God’s fault.

If you are reading this and believe that God is who you are and that you don’t need to believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Yehoshua Messiah to, to be born again. But that God is in everyone and everything, by works or self enlightenment. That we can achieve God status you are deceived and heading to hell. Repent, for the time is near when Yehovah will Judge the whole of mankind. No flesh will glory in His presence. Repent and be saved from the wrath that is to come. Romans 5:1 You can have peace with God by truly receiving Yehoshua as Messiah and Savior of your life.

WORDS WE FIND IN BIBLE THAT ARE SYNONYMOUS WITH PRIDE

PROUD

Proverbs 16:5 “Everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the God: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.”

This is what we see happening with the false peace that is coming. People will pat each other on the back, and join hand in hand encouraging each other in their evil practices. “Broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there will be which go in thereat. Matt. 7:13

The World says majority rules, but the Bible says that God rules. Everyone that is proud in heart, is an abomination to God.

Hebrew toeba meaning detestable, loathsome thing, disgusting

So if you don’t want to be disgusting in the eyes of Yehovah, humble yourself and obey His commands.

In Greek, Bdeluktos Unlawful, disgusting

Titus 1:16 talks about people that say they know God but by their lives they deny Him. It goes on to say that they are abominable, disobedient unto every good work reprobate.

BOAST Greek kauchaomai to boast, brag about, glory in

Ephesians 2:8-9 “for by grace we are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast”

Please note that what makes boasting good or evil is the object of the boast. If you boast in Yehovah it is good, if you boast about anyone or anything besides Yehovah it is evil.

ARROGANCE Hebrew ga’own glory, pride, arrogance Greek: ataq; arrogant

1 Samuel 2:1-3 “ And Hannah prayed, and said, my heart rejoiced in Yehovah, mine horn is exalted in Yehovah; my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as Yehovah: for there is none beside thee; neither is there any rock like our God. Take no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth; for Yehovah is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

Proverbs 8:13 says that God hates pride and arrogance. “The fear of Yehovah is to hate evil; pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”

Isaiah 13:11 “And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.”

God says He will cause the prideful and the arrogant to cease.

HAUGHTY Greek:, hyperēphanos means showing oneself above others or when you put people down to exalt yourself.

This Greek word is found in Romans 1:30 and 2 Timothy 3:2 where the word proud is found in the “Authorized Version” Once again Romans Chapter 1 and 2 Tim. 3 are not good list to find yourself in.

VAINGLORY Greek: kenodoxia, vain, empty glory

Philippians 2:3 “ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

This does not mean to flatter people when people flatter they are giving you the glory instead of giving glory to God for what He has done in your life. We are to be humble, to lift them up in prayer and to encourage them, in Yehovah.

I often hear people who claim to be believer’s doing this, vain glorying, they talk more about what they did as an unbeliever, then what the Holy Spirit is doing in them now. They act macho and talk about what they would do, if they weren’t a Believer. They vain glory in this past life. That wasn’t life, it was death, it was empty (vain). Scripture says a white washed pig will return to lay down in the mud. Also a dog will lick up its vomit. When we starting glorying in our empty, miserable past as an unbeliever, we are doing nothing less then returning to the poop and the vomit.

VAIN Greek kneos, empty…. mataios void of results

Matthew 6:7 “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”

I’ve heard people pray a rehearsed prayer and when they prayed they prayed over their food 100mph. It was vain (empty) of any sincerity and love for God. Sometimes people pray like it is a checklist. “Well that is done. I can check it off, and feel good about myself.”

To Believer’s, I hope you will heed these words. You may think that a person only takes God’s name in vain when there is a curse word attached to it. I tell you when you pray and use Yehovah’s name to fill in blanks because you can’t think of anything to say, that is using His name in a vain way. It is using it in an empty way without the reverence that is due to our Holy God. Slow down, the next time you pray, I challenge you to examine your words.

“Catchy Christian” lyrics over and over again. Do you catch yourself just singing the same lines over and over without even thinking about what you are saying, and who you are saying it to?

We are to pray without ceasing, but what we pray should be out of a sincere heart, and with a love for God; in accordance with His Word.

Matt. 15:9 “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

When people turn away from God’s commands they make up their own because they are lovers of themselves and not lovers of God. Yehoshua said if we love Him we will obey what He commands. His commands are found in the Bible, for Yehoshua said, “If ye continue in My word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32

Has Yehoshua told us in His Word, how God is to be worshipped? The answer is Yes. John 4: 23-24 “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [Him] in spirit and in truth.”

In order to do this we must be born again, of God’s Spirit and know and live His Word. Someone may say that they can worship God however they want. We know from the above Scripture that this statement is untrue and that they are vain in their worship. They’re deceived and going through the motions of religious self righteousness. The Scripture says “There is a way that seems right to a man but that ends in death.” Proverbs 14:12. So, follow God’s instructions and you’ll be fine. Are you reading His instructions?

HIGHMINDED/ HIGHLY Greek, typhoō wrapped in smoke, filled up with pride.

Ro. 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

Have you ever known anyone who you could say was “blowing smoke”? Some people I know come to mind about this form of pride. When they talked, they lied. You knew it, and they knew it. They just wouldn’t get real or honest. Nothing I said seemed to break through the smoke screen they were wrapped up in, until I prayed and God revealed that it was pride. I then taught about pride and it was revealed to them that they were not clothed with Messiah, but with smoke. When you are close to the fire, you smell like smoke.

Our next Scripture for highminded is:

Ro. 11:20 “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear.”

In this verse the Greek word hypsēlophroneō to be arrogant or proud.

What does the proper mindset of the Believer look like? Our praise, confidence, trust, etc. is in Messiah, not in ourselves. We should rejoice for what God is doing in us or someone else for the Scripture says, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you.” Philippians 2:12-13

Also, “He that starteth a good work in you will finish it unto completion.”

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Messiah Yehoshua which strengtheneth me.”

“Apart from Him I can do nothing.” John 15:5 “All things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27

“No flesh shall glory in His presence.” 1 Corinthians 1:29. He is the master. We are only His instruments, that He uses, for His glory.

There are many ways pride manifests itself. Let’s look at a few of them:

Spiritual Pride, This happens when someone thinks they are more spiritual than someone else. Now obviously people are at different places in their walk with Yehoshua than others, but we are not to be haughty about it.

When you look at yourself compared to Messiah, you will grow in humility. When you look at yourself compared to someone else, or someone else based on your walk, you fall into Spiritual pride.

This is where someone would say, “you can’t say anything about me and my walk with Yehovah because you are being Spiritually prideful.”

This belief is untrue. In summary there IS to be judgement in the body of Messiah, “the Church”. The judgement is to be righteous, that is by the Spirit of God in the Believer, according to the Word of God. When this happens, it is to the honor of God, for the purging of the Church and edification of the person who is in the sin. The person who is in the sin of Spiritual pride, there motive is to exalt self, put the other Believer down, and all this being done without love and it dishonors God. The man that is humble, does it the correct way. We have far too much judging going on in the Church that is unrighteous, and we lack so much judgement in the Church today that is righteous.

Luke 9: 46-48 “Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest and Yehoshua, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by Him, and He said unto them, whosoever shall receive this child in my name recieveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth Him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.”

Luke 18 9-14 “And He spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that were righteous, and despised others: two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a Publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulteress, or even as this Publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all I possess.’ And the Publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying ‘God be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

Pride of Race, Acts 17:26 says, “He made all people from one blood” There is only one race. The reason we have different colors of skin is because of a thing in our body called, melanin. In fact, scientists have discovered that there is one major pigment, called melanin, that produces our skin color. There are two main forms of melanin: eumelanin (white to black) and pheomelanin (red to yellow) These combine to give us the particular shade of skin that we have. (Answers book pg 227)

In this we see whites, Spanish, Negros, Indian, Chinese, etc.

So… it is so as the children’s song says; “Red, Brown, Yellow, Black and White; they are precious in His sight. Yehoshua loves the little children of the World.”

Man looks at the outward, God looks at the heart. 1Sam. If we are Believer’s we look at the heart when we see color we see it Biblically. It doesn’t matter to me what color the person is my children marry. When I say “my people” it doesn’t have anything to do with color. I’m speaking of the people of God. The Bible says not to marry an unbeliever. As long as my children marry strong, true Believer’s. That’s what God says is important.

Pride of Position or Status, Luke 14:7-9 “And He put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when He marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, ‘When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.”

A man, who had three sons, was walking down the street one day. He ran into a friend from high school. They got to talking and the man asked about his children, and what they did for work. He proudly said, my son Jeff is a doctor, my son Scott is a lawyer. The man said I thought, the last time we had run into each other you said you had three sons? What does the other son do for work? The man looked very embarrassed, looked down at the ground and said, in a very quiet voice. “He is a garbage man.”

Isn’t it great that God sent forth His Son to get the garbage out of our lives and the Word says the Father is pleased with Him. Mankind looks at the outward, God looks at the heart. 1Sam 16:7 Even Samuel, the Prophet wouldn’t have chosen David to be King!

Matt. 18:4 “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

God’s way is the opposite of the world’s way.

If you want to have life, you must die.

If you want to be great you must become nothing.

If you want to be strong you must become weak

If you want to be rich you must become poor.

Yehoshua said:

“Anyone who loses his life for my sake shall find it, for eternal life” “The least of you shall be the greatest” “My strength is made perfect in your weakness”

Be rich toward God

Matt. 20:25-27 “But Yehoshua called them unto him and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them , and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you , let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant”

The word minister means servant. Is your pastor a servant? The Messiah’s example to us was that of a suffering servant, even though He is King of Kings. His example to us He washed His disciples feet. You want to be great? Be a humble servant.

Pride of Intellect and Abilities, Many people take “pride” in intellect, knowledge, and abilities. They speak of how proud they are of themselves for this or that. King Nebuchadnezzar was one of these people. (Dan. 5)

We must understand that God gives us every breath that we breath. We really can’t do anything without Him, and He says so in John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches; he who abideth in me and I in him; will bare much fruit, but apart from me ye can do nothing.” But “With God all things are possible.” Matt… And “I can do all things through Yehoshua Messiah who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13

I have a yearbook from the High School I went to. In it the Valedictorian says she has “always been smart and a good student.” She “doesn’t know why, she just always has been.” The Scripture says “all good gifts come down from the Father of Lights.” James 1:17 This is a top student? Someone who doesn’t even acknowledge God and His blessings toward her in the abilities He has given her.

I was talking to a pastor, not that long ago. I know this man has the gift of administrations 1Cor 14.

With the gift of administration this guy can accomplish more than five guys working together, that do not have the gift. This man said “I’ve always prided myself in my ability to get all these things done.” Scripture says, “Why do you act like you haven’t received it?” 1 Cor. 4:7

1 Cor. 8:1 “Now as touching things offered unto, idols we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

Here in this verse, it says that knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.

This reminds me of Job 36:4. Poor Job was going through the biggest trial of His life. He had just lost all his children, his wealth, his health, his wife was left alive just to try and finish him off with her words of foolishness. Then his friends and comforters come by with their “smack talk.” Poor Job, sitting there and what does Elihu, the youngest of the comforters says? “For truly my words shall not be false; he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.”

WOW! Talk about puffed up. This guy was full of pride he didn’t love Job, he just came to tell everyone how smart he was. In truth Elihu wasn’t very wise at all. It says in 1 Cor. 13:11 Love is not puffed up. In 1Cor 13:2 it says that if a person understands all mysteries and has all knowledge, and doesn’t have love he is nothing. I am not saying that knowledge is bad, knowledge is good. As long as it is coupled with love. For example, if you have knowledge, but no love, you will exalt yourself and look down on others. This is because they do not know what you know. But if you have love coupled with knowledge; you will share your knowledge humbly with others.

Some people say, knowledge is power. They go for years of schooling to get it ,but without love it’s worthless. The world has a fake idea about what love is. Real love is to love like Yehoshua loves. You can only learn that from Yehovah Himself. Love is not positive or negative, if you love someone; you should tell them the truth. Even if it seems “negative” to them. Love delights in the truth, and not in evil. People think they have the knowledge, they have the degree, they should get the job. Not so, I would rather hire someone that has Godly character, any day, regardless of any degree.

Pride of wealth, People who have the sin of pride of wealth exalt themselves based on their riches, and look down on others that are poor or do not have as much as they do. More times than not money is their God. It is what they focus on, what drives them, and what they base their decisions on. Their happiness is based on if they have money or not. It’s really not that hard to see what your heart is given to. Are you happy when you have it and unhappy when you don’t? Luke 12:15 “Take Heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possetheth”

Do your possessions posses you? Or do you possess them? For example, I have a log splitter. If someone stole it I would not be overjoyed, but if God told me to give it to someone would I be a cheerful giver? Would it take me awhile to get my heart in line with God’s will? Someone may say, “Well, I will give them this, but I will not give them that.” Be careful, God gives and He takes away. If your heart is set on someone or something more than Him, He may take it away from you. Even if it’s only temporarily, until He straightens things out in your heart.

I think about Jonathan, Saul’s son. Even though he knew that he would be king after his father, he gave up his right to the throne, and in his heart the kingdom was David’s. All this was in line with God’s will. And Jonathan gave it, with the right heart. I believe that Jonathan would have made a very fine king. The biggest sacrifice of anyone was the Father sending us His Son, and Yehoshua giving up His life on the cross.

This brings up another question. Are you content with what you have, and trust Yehovah to increase your wealth, or are you trying to increase yourself? The Scripture says in Psalms 62:10, “Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.”

1Timothy 6:6-12 ”But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

Money itself is not evil, it is the LOVE of money, that is evil. The word here talks about someone who desires to be rich, someone that is greedy, and idolizes money. It says they pierce themselves. When you chase money it is like piercing yourself with many knives. In verse 11, it talks about true riches; riches that are eternal.

RUST

That fancy hot rod that some people shine everyday, will some day rust

No decay or rust in heaven

MOTHS

The garments that are hanging in some people’s closets, that still have a price tag on them, will not endure.

When you are clothed with Messiah, moths cannot destroy.

THIEVES

You can store up treasure on earth, and thieves can break in and steal. What treasure we have, laid up for us in heaven will not be stolen. What treasure we have in these earthen vessels ( the Holy Spirit in our bodies) cannot be taken away, unless we believe the lies of Satan instead of the truth of God.

Fire will either destroy or it will refine. We will continue to be refined; as silver or gold by the fire of the Spirit of God that burns bright within us. The unbeliever is like the wood, hay, or straw. He will be burned up by eternal fire because He resisted the indwelling presence of our God who is a consuming fire.

This is not to say that we shouldn’t be good steward’s of what God has blessed us with, of course. We should be good stewards of every person, place, and thing that we’ve been blessed with. We should take care of and be thankful for them. For God has said, “be faithful with a little and He will give you more.” Matt. 25:21, Luke 19:17

Matthew 6:19-21 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

The right balance must be in all things. The balance comes as wisdom, knowledge, and understanding increase in us. The more we read and meditate on Scripture, the more God will reveal to us His righteousness in all situations.

Some things are evil to even have in our possession. Other things, it is in the usage of those things, whether we use a certain thing to do evil or good. For instance, a Playboy magazine is an evil invention. There is nothing good about it. We as Believer’s should not even possess such a thing.

However, a firearm (gun) is not evil in itself, if you use the firearm to hunt meat for your family, it is not evil. If you use it to murder the old lady across the street, for her diamond necklace, it is evil.

With some things, it is hard to get the balance, but the exciting thing is our God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob HAS ALL THE ANSWERS. As we walk with Him, He will reveal it.

1 Corinthians 4:6-7 “And these things, brethren I have in a figure transferred to myself, and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written; that no one of you be puffed up; for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou, that thou dist not receive? Now if thou dist receive it, why doest though glory as if thou hast not received it?”

Have you ever heard someone say I don’t know why, but I’ve always been smart or strong or wealthy? I’ve just always been good at this or that. We need to realize that we were made by God and we all have different gifts that have been given to us by God we are to give Him the glory for those gifts James 1:17

So be of a humble heart and use the gifts God has given you for His glory and for the edification of others. Believer’s, don’t pride yourself in your Spiritual gift, but praise the One who gave it to you.

I used to be very strong physically, but I didn’t acknowledge God. I didn’t give Him the glory. I would never ask people for help. I thought I could do everything myself. I was so wrong! God began to break me physically to make me strong in Him Spiritually. The Scripture says “His strength is made perfect in my weakness” 2 Corinthians 12:9 , so when I am weak then He makes me strong and I can do all things though Yehoshua Messiah who strengthens me. Apart from Him, I can do nothing. He gives me every breath I breathe. He gives me free will to honor or dishonor Him with that breath. One Scripture that really was a comfort after losing the strength that I had was and still is Jeremiah 9:23-24. “Thus saith Yehovah, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom; neither let the mighty man glory in his might; let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth, glory in this that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am Yehovah; which exercises lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth for these things I delight sayest Yehovah.”

So, if you have wisdom, might, riches don’t forget the Giver of those things. 1 Tim 6:17 “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;”

This Scripture says we should glory that we know and understand. Yehoshua said “to know Him is eternal life.” John 17:3 And that there would be many that would say “Master, Master and He would say, I never knew you.

‘ Matt. 7:21-23

“Not every one that saith unto me, Master, Master, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” “Many will say to me in that day, Master, Master, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

This is how we know that we know him, if we keep His commandments.

What does God say about pride?

There are seven things that God hates and in that list in Proverbs 6 : 16-18 is a proud look. You can’t have a proud look unless you have pride in your heart.

Rom. 1: 29-32 “Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornications, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness,; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful, who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

2 Tim 3: 2-4 “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,

boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God”

James 4:6 “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

You see and hear the word proud everywhere, as if it is a good thing.

“Proud to be an American”

I am not prideful as if I’ve done anything of my own, or that I am better than people in another country.

I am thankful to God that I live in this country. This country has truly been blessed by God, but because of the great moral decline, in it’s turning it’s back on God. It is ripe for judgement. No matter how ungodly this nation gets, there will still be people yelling God bless America, as a statement; instead of praying to God to heal this land; and the hearts of the people to be turned to him.

“I didn’t hurt anything, but my pride”

We hurt our pride because we have trusted in ourselves and our own abilities. And we have fallen, like the Word says will happen. The right response is to see that what happened was because of our pride. We need to ask God to forgive us with a humble heart, and thank Him for the abilities He has given us, knowing that we are going to have times when we make mistakes. We get back up and keep going, in His strength. “I am proud of you son!”

This is literally saying, I am taking the glory for what you just did. And lifting a person up at the same time. So many people are proud of someone who did something that was totally ungodly, that doesn’t line up with the Scriptures. Is what was done to the glory of God? Was is truly a good thing in the sight of God? He weighs the motive of our hearts. If it’s something one of my children did, and it was truly good in the sight of God; I would thank God for what He did through me in training my child; I would thank God that my child had received it and applied it, bringing Him glory. The proper heart is rejoicing in what God has done, and what He is going. That is the humble position, the Believer’s position. There is no room for pride because if WE are prideful we cut God out of it.

This is applied anywhere. Say you are on the baseball field. Your son hit’s a homerun. You rejoice and glorify God in the abilities He has given your child. By doing that you teach your child to do that also.

Another scenario, your son strikes out. He didn’t throw a fit. He didn’t get all depressed and start pouting. He did the best he could, with the abilities God gave him. He sincerely shook hands with the other players when the game was over. And you can rejoice, in the Godly character, that your son portrayed on the field. In this you give God the glory, not self. You’ve obeyed God in training your child well.

“I pride myself in this and that… I don’t know why, I’ve just always been good at that.”

Give God the glory for your abilities.

“The Few and the Proud- US Marines”

We should not be proud of these men, we should be thankful to them for laying down their lives to defend this country; for the many freedoms we have today. I know this goes against your grain… it’s not my words. God said anyone that is proud in heart, is an abomination to Him, a detestable thing. This is not said with any disrespect to our military forces… only to show how widespread this is.

“At least I’ve still got my pride”

This saying is based on a person believing that even though they’ve lost everything, they still have not lost their pride; as if it is a good thing… it is not.

“You should be proud of…”

No…. you shouldn’t

“Hometown Proud-IGA”

That’s some exalted food! Maybe they should eat some humble pie.

“Proudly Serving…”

When you truly have a servants heart, you are self sacrifing and humble, not prideful.

Sherwood films

Every one of their movies, have this word in them; as if it is a good thing.

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of Yehovah is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

What is the right thing?

Our example as Believer’s, is our Messiah, Yehoshua. That’s why we are called Followers of Messiah, because our lives are to show that we belong to Him. We are to do what He did.

Micah 6:8 “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth Yehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thess.5:21

We’ve proved it, are you still holding fast to your pride?

Phil. 2:8-9 “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name”

When we humble ourselves, God will exalt us. Yehoshua was humble.

Matt. 23:12 “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted”

1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you in due time.”

Some Scriptures People use to say there is a good pride:

Gal 6:4

“But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”

How do we prove that work? By the Spirit of God and the Word of God. It must be built on the foundation of Messiah or it will be burnt up. When it goes along with what the Scriptures say from Genesis to Revelations.

Also, the motive of your heart. The motive of your heart, must be to give glory to God alone. Then the worker and the work; has been proven. The fruit of that will be a heart that rejoices, in what God has done; through His servant.

2 Cor. 9:2-4 “For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.”

Prov. 27:2 “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger and not thine own lips.”

Prov 31 woman… beauty is deceitful… vain… woman who fears Yehovah, shall be praised.

In these Scriptures, it must be understood, that boasting in someone, or praising someone; is only based on what work God is doing in them, not anything that they have done themselves. Otherwise it would be dishonoring to God. The Bible says, no flesh shall glory in His presence. He will not share His glory with another. What people have done, is taken verses such as these out of context and distorted them to build false doctrines that go against the true meaning of the verse. And what God has said, from Genesis to Revelation, about us glorifying Him and not ourselves.

It says to study to shew thyself approved, unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” 1 Tim 2:15

Ps 44:8 “In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.”

Ps 34:2 “My soul shall make her boast in Yehovah: the humble shall hear [thereof], and be glad.”

Ps 94:4 “How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?”

Ps 25:9-10 “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of Yehovah are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.”

May God bless you as you study His Word. May we leave you with this Hymn that reminds us to give God the glory…

“To God be the Glory”

To God be the glory, great things He has done;So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Refrain

Praise Yehovah, praise Yehovah,Let the earth hear His voice!Praise Yehovah, praise Yehovah,Let the people rejoice!O come to the Father, through Yehoshua the Son,And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,To every believer the promise of God;The vilest offender who truly believes,That moment from Yehoshua a pardon receives.

Refrain

Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,And great our rejoicing through Yehoshua the Son;But purer, and higher, and greater will be Our wonder, our transport, when Yehoshua we see.

Refrain