A.      If any many ever had a reason to be proud, then it was the Lord Jesus.  However, He left us an example of humility that should eliminate every impulse of pride that we may have.

B.      The Proverbs have dire warnings for those who are filled with pride and rich promises for those who are humble in heart.  Let us consider these so that we may live in the wisdom of humility.

II.      TOP TEN PROVERBS FOR PRIDE AND HUMILITY

A.      Consider these ten passages from the Proverbs regarding pride and humility.

                                                             1.      "The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honor and life.” (Prov. 22:4)

a.       The first point to notice is that humility and the fear of the Lord go hand-in-hand.  One cannot truly fear God and be arrogant.

b.       Although the world does not often value humility, God rewards it richly.

i.         These rewards may require patience and longsuffering to receive, but they will be well-worth the wait.

ii.        Jesus said, "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5).

                                                             2.      "Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; assuredly, he will not be unpunished.” (Prov. 16:5)

a.       An abomination is a disgusting thing, and a proud man is disgusting to God just as any other sinner (see Prov. 15:9; Ps. 5:5).

b.       Whereas a humble man will be rewarded (Prov. 22:4), a proud man will be punished.

i.         Notice how much a man’s attitude affects his standing before God.  The difference between reward and punishment from God is simply a matter of how one view’s himself, either with humility or with pride.

ii.        These rewards and punishments are the subjects of many of the following proverbs.

                                                             3.       "When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom.” (Prov. 11:2)

a.       The result of pride is a paradox.  A pride man honors himself, but his efforts lead to his dishonor.

b.       On the other hand, a humble man is wise because his attitude brings favor from God and men.  He may be meek and lowly, but he is not disgraced like a proud man.

                                                             4.      "Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, but humility goes before honor.” (Prov. 18:12)

a.       Another result of pride is destruction, which is even more severe than dishonor.

i.         A proud man’s world is easily destroyed when his source of pride is removed.  When he loses his wealth, strength, handsome appearance, power, or any other prideful asset, his life is destroyed.

ii.        Of course, the ultimate destruction is that eternal destruction that comes to those who proudly stand in opposition to the Lord.

b.       Conversely, the humble will receive honor from God.  Notice these passages:

i.         "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (Jas. 4:10)

ii.        "You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time…” (1Pet. 5:5-6)

iii.      "For though the LORD is exalted, yet He regards the lowly, but the haughty He knows from afar.” (Ps. 138:6)

iv.      "A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.” (Prov. 29:23)

                                                             5.      "The LORD will tear down the house of the proud, but He will establish the boundary of the widow.” (Prov. 15:25)

a.       The lesson of this proverb is found in the contrast between the person involved – the proud and the widow.

i.         A proud man likely feels secure about his place in the world.  He has no sense that anything can happen to his house (see Luke 12:13-21).

ii.        In Bible times, a widow was left often defenseless, and she was often mistreated and defrauded of her property (see Matt. 23:14).

b.       While it would appear that the proud man is secure, in truth it is the lowly widow who is secured by the favor of Almighty God.

                                                             6.      "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.  It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.” (Prov. 16:18-19)

a.       Notice that a proud man sets himself up for destruction and stumbling.

i.         His pride lifts him up to a dangerous position from which he has a long way to fall.

ii.        His pride also blinds him to the obstacles in his path so that he will stumble and fall on them.

b.       World wisdom would teach us to associate with the proud and share the spoil, but godly wisdom teaches us to associate with the lowly in humility in the image of Christ.

                                                             7.      "Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.” (Prov. 21:4)

a.       It has been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul.  With regards to haughty eyes, the word of God agrees with that saying.

i.         The "lamp of the wicked” is their haughty eyes and proud heart.  By these things, all can see their true character.

ii.        Consider what Jesus said in Matthew 6:22-23 – "The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”

b.       Notice that this proverb exposes pride for what it truly is – a sin.  It should not be dismissed as a mere personality trait, but rather it must be corrected with repentance.

                                                             8.      "‘Proud,’ ‘Haughty,’ ‘Scoffer,’ are his names, who acts with insolent pride.” (Prov. 21:24)

a.       Consider each of these names given to one who acts with insolent pride.

i.         "Proud” in the original language means "presumptuous.”  It is to presume a position to which one is not entitled.

ii.        "Haughty” means "arrogant” or "conceited.”  A haughty man thinks that he is superior to others.

iii.      A "scoffer” is one who mocks and scorns others.

b.       Each of these names indicates an offense against God and men.  Altogether, they give a full description of a man who acts in pride.

                                                             9.      "It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.” (Prov. 25:27)

a.       Honey is good, but too much of it will make one sick.  Likewise, glory may seem good to a proud man, but seeking after glory will bring him low.

b.       Seeking for one’s own glory is not in accordance with love, for love "does not seek its own” (1Cor. 13:5).

                                                          10.      "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” (Prov. 27:2)

a.       Just as a man should not seek his own glory or exalt himself, so also he should not brag about himself to others.  Bragging is a verbal form of pride.

b.       Instead, a man should let his own praise come naturally from others his consider him to be worthy.  The greatest praise of all is that which comes from God.

B.      Other proverbs to consider are:

                                                             1.      Regarding God’s hatred of pride – 6:16-19

                                                             2.      Regarding self-honor – 12:9

                                                             3.      Regarding self-righteous pride – 30:12-13

III.   CONCLUSION

A.      The Lord Jesus taught summarized these lessons about pride and humility in His kingdom when He said, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).

B.      The next lesson from the Proverbs will be "Concern for Others.”