Pride Goes Before Destruction

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 h … More

Pride

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 (English Standard Version)


Warning: MagpieRSS: Failed to parse RSS file. (Space required at line 39, column 24) in /var/www/html/familytimes/includes/magpie6-1/rss_fetch.inc on line 230

Warning: array_slice() expects parameter 1 to be array, null given in /var/www/html/familytimes/includes/rss/esvLookup.php on line 15

View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »

More Proverbs commentaries

Proverbs 13:1-5
Our Speech Should be Uplifting

Proverbs 13:6-13
Pride Causes Us to Be Contentious

Proverbs 13:11-15
Following Instruction Will Spare You Sorrow

Proverbs 13:14-20
Friends Will Take You Up or Down

Proverbs 13:21-25
When Genuine Love is Questionable

Proverbs 14:1-5
No Work Means No Harvest

Proverbs 14:6-12
Fools Think Their Ways Are Right

Proverbs 14:13-17
Failing to Live by The Truth of God’s Word

Proverbs 14:18-23
It’s Important to Listen to Instruction

Proverbs 14:24-29
A Bad Temper is a Sign of Weakness

Proverbs 14:30-35
Emotions Effect Our Physical Conditon

Proverbs 15:1-5
Choose Gentle Words

Proverbs 15:6-11
Refusal to Take Correction Brings Discipline

Proverbs 15:12-15
We Feed What Our Heart Craves

Proverbs 15:16-22
Love is More Important Than Riches

Proverbs 15:23-27
Wise Leaders Always Seek Advice

Proverbs 15:28-33
The Righteous Weighs His Words Carefully

Proverbs 16:1-11
God’s Sovereignty in Shaping the World

Proverbs 16:5-11
Making Enemies to Be at Peace

Proverbs 16:12-17
Better to Have Wisdom Than Gold

Proverbs 16:18-22
Pride Goes Before Destruction

Proverbs 16:23-26
The Way That Seems Right to Man

Proverbs 16:27-33
A Whisperer Separates Friends

Proverbs 17:1-4
The Lord Tests the Hearts

Proverbs 17:5-9
Children Need to Revere Their Parents

Proverbs 17:10-14
Evil Men Seek Rebellion

Proverbs 17:15-19
A Friend Loves at All Times

Proverbs 17:20-28
A Merry Heart Is Like Medicine

Proverbs 18:1-5
With Dishonor Comes Reproach

Proverbs 18:6-12
A Fool’s Mouth Brings Destruction

Proverbs 18:13-24
A Friend that sticks closer than a Brother

Proverbs 19:1-9
Wealth Makes Many Friends

Proverbs 19:10-19
Chasten Your Son While There is Hope

Proverbs 19:20-29
Judgments Are Prepared For Scoffers