Pride Brings Peril

Read 2 Chronicles 26:14-16
“But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense” (v. 16)

Uzziah became king at the age of only sixteen and ruled for fifty-two years. He was a successful king, winning victories against Judah’s enemies and building a strong nation.
There is a sad irony in Uzziah’s story. The name Uzziah means “The Lord is my strength.” But when Uzziah “was strong,” pride filled his heart. He came to believe that he could manage on his own. One day, Uzziah entered the temple to perform duties that were reserved for the priests. Eighty priests went into the temple to argue with him, but Uzziah refused to listen. God judged him with leprosy.
Pride is a constant temptation in ministry. It is a sin that brings great peril to any church leader. When God blesses our ministry, Satan tempts us to pride and a belief that it is our talents and abilities that are bringing a response. If we are not careful to continue relying on God, our hearts will be lifted up in pride and we will try to do God’s work in our own strength. (Randall D. McElwain)

Cleanse me from every evil thought,
From all the filth of self and pride.
The hatred of the carnal mindOut of my flesh at once remove: Give me a tender heart, resigned,
And pure, and full of faith and love. — John Wesley

Pride will destroy our ministry. We must always remember that it is only God working through us that makes ministry effective. The 

2017-10-05T09:20:10+00:00October 5th, 2017|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: |0 Comments

Why are the Proud Cursed?

"Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments." (Psalm 119:21)

In "Biblical Perspective" Gordon Snider writes:

These are people whose sense of self-importance causes them to accept authority for themselves which belongs only to God. And this naturally leads to a refusal to follow the directions of God. Thus, to the psalmist, to be proud is to be cursed. The proud were specifically described as those who do err from thy commandments. The connection between the proud and do err at first seems unusual. The proud deliberately choose to resist God, while err means to sin through ignorance. There may be a suggestion here that open rebellion against God makes it impossible for us to see the “road signs” along the way that indicate we are going the wrong direction. Thus we truly are not only ignorant of our wrong, but willfully ignorant.

Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 73.

2016-11-19T09:00:00+00:00November 19th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: |0 Comments

The Contrast between Pride and Humility

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Randy Bland writes:

One definition of pride is an inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority. This definition is an apt description of the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable. Humility, on the other hand, is defined as having a modest opinion of one’s own importance. Perhaps we should add that it is having a true opinion of one’s own importance. The publican knew exactly who he was and where he stood before God. Such knowledge is the most important thing when it comes to living lives of humility.

Discussion: What kind of opinion do we possess?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 50.

2016-04-22T09:00:00+00:00April 22nd, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: , |0 Comments

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