Pride in the Bible: Avoiding the Worship of Self
Do you remember when you were little and everyone would ask you what you wanted to be when you grew up? What were your dreams? What were you determined to do with your life someday? These questions subconsciously put us on a track where we put ourselves in the driver’s seat, ready to steer and maneuver through life to reach the destination we desired.
Is there anything wrong with thinking about the future? No. And quite honestly, there is nothing wrong with asking little ones what stirs their heart. In all of this, however, I think what’s missing is the training up of these young minds in the realization that, despite what we think or believe our future should look like, the first step is seeking the Lord and asking Him what He determines. Young minds turn into older minds, and as we grow, we gain a stronger sense of control and ability. And if we’ve already started to tightly grip the steering wheel as young ones, how much more so when we become young adults?
Our world is consumed with the thought of “I”. I’m sure this comes as no surprise to you. It is all about us, our desires, our wishes, dreams, and plans. We should have it our way, do what makes us feel good, and live our own truth. The brand of many of our phones even begins with the letter i.
Things are no longer black and white; true or false. In everything, there is the option to make it our own, and that then becomes the reality by which we’re allowed to live.
Where did we go wrong, sister? Or has it always been this way?
Since the Fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), pride has been a genetic trait passed down. In humanity’s sinful nature, we are prone to think that we know better than God; we can figure things out on our own; or, at minimum, what He has stated as absolute should be questioned because, well, just maybe, He got it wrong.
I’m starting this article off with all the warm and fuzzies, huh, sister? ;)
Pride is such an important topic, and we need to talk about it. Why? Because if we aren’t careful, we can easily slip into bouts of pride in our lives (in so many areas), which in turn can lead us down the road of the worship of self. So let’s first talk a little about pride in the Bible so we can, as we always do around here, gain a biblical perspective.
One Example of Pride in the Bible
Ok– I’m sure you, like me, can think of so many examples of people in the Bible who led prideful lives, or at least struggled with pride at one point or another. We could be here all day comparing our lists! For now, let me just share something I recently read in the book of Isaiah that was very interesting to me. In fact, I think so many– believers and non-believers alike– can slip into this mindset very easily if we aren’t truly seeking the Lord’s perspective in life.
In Isaiah 47, we read that Babylon had a problem with pride (surprise, surprise). Twice in this chapter, God, through the prophet Isaiah, was sure to tell us that they said in their heart, “I am, and there is no one else besides me.” Wow. Their wisdom and knowledge may have been great, but these two things warped their minds and led them to a place where they only had trust in themselves. Therefore, God brought them low.
“Now, then, hear this, you luxuriant one, who lives securely, who says in her heart, ‘I am, and there is no one besides me. I will not sit as a widow, Nor know the loss of children.’ “But these two things will come on you suddenly in one day: Loss of children and widowhood. They will come on you in full measure in spite of your many sorceries, in spite of the great power of your spells. You felt secure in your wickedness and said, ‘No one sees me,’ your wisdom and your knowledge, they have led you astray; for you have said in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one besides me.’”
Let’s back up a bit to gain the context. Verses 5-7 tell us that God used Babylon as an instrument to bring judgment to His people, yet Babylon showed no mercy on them. Their pride led them to think that since they were “so great”, the overtaking of God’s people was solely due to them, and therefore they could act however they pleased. They failed to see that God was truly in control and was orchestrating His sovereign will. They truly believed that there was “no one beside themselves”.
But our God is a just God! Not only just, but He is also humble, even as the One who set all things into motion! He does not deal with pride lightly. Although those who exude pride may seem to flourish for a time, eventually they will be brought low, naturally, and inevitably by the mighty hand of God (Proverbs 16:18; 29:23). This is exactly what we saw happen with Babylon.
The Dangers of the Worship of Self
Unfortunately, sister, this message is more of a sobering one. I don’t have a lot of happy-go-lucky stories or encouraging words quite yet. Pride is serious. Pride is what got the enemy in the predicament he’s in. Pride is sin– and we must begin seeing it for what it is.
We all want a sense of control over so many aspects of our lives, and yes, God in His grace has given us free will. We are totally and completely free to choose what we do or don’t do. Yet, God desires that we choose to humbly bow to His will– to surrender our wants, desires, and control to Him, so He can lead and direct us. As His daughters, our desire should be for the Lord to sit on the throne of our hearts, not ourselves. When we’re on the throne, we’ve stepped into the realm of the worship of self. Again, sister, this is what Satan desired–
“How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’
Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,
To the lowest depths of the Pit.”
He wanted his own throne. He desired to be in control; to be worshipped. Like the Babylonians who followed, Satan thought there was no one besides him and that’s the way it should be.
Our caution is to not fall into the same mindset. Unfortunately, the world tries to bend us in this direction– one where we are in control and call all of the shots; one where we are the center of attention so we can be worshipped; or, in the least, a world where perhaps we don’t demand everyone else’s worship, but certainly demand our own (of ourselves).
This is the way of the world as it tempts us with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. And, this is why it’s so important to love the Lord more than we love the world and love ourselves. Our desire must be His will– not our own (1 John 2:15-17).
When we kindle our own fire, producing our own light, truly, it is still darkness! (Isaiah 50:11) And we can be sure that just as with the enemy, the LORD God will bring us low.
Walk in the Light to Relinquish Pride
Instead of walking in darkness— which leads to pride— light is found in trusting in the name of the Lord. Just take a look at Isaiah 50:10: “Who is among you who fears the LORD, who obeys the voice of His Servant, who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.” This verse is a call to all to fear God, to obey His voice, trust His name, and rely on Him— just as Jesus the Messiah did. In the previous verses, the Messiah Himself is revealing His obedience, submission, and trust in God the Father, setting the example for all of us to follow. When we’re unsure, or we waver in our trust and reliance on God, we need only to re-fix our gaze toward the Light– our Savior– and recount His example to steer us back on track.
Praise the Lord for His grace! It abounds, and He gives it to us even in our most wretched of times. At the same time, James does tell us explicitly that for those who are proud, opposition comes from the Lord (James 4:6). Grace is reserved for the humble. Humility is what He desires. Righteousness and justice are what are acceptable to Him, but a proud heart– that He calls sin (Proverbs 21:3-5).
Sister, He calls us the light of the world! May the shining of our light not flicker because it is surrounded by the dust particles of pride.
Release Pride By Focusing on Others
It’s hard to remain prideful and focus inward when you allow the Lord to use you to serve others. This should be a natural thing, but sometimes we need a few ideas to get us going. Grab this free guide to help spark your servanthood muscles and see ways you can consider others! Fill out the form below.
God Declares Who He Is
While many with pride say who they are, who God is is greater. Amen?! In our pride, we can declare who we are. We can, like Babylon, say “there is no one else besides me.” Yet, how does that measure up with God? How do we measure up with God?
God tells us who He is and what He is like. Interestingly enough, God says about Himself the same words those with pride have stolen from Him: “I am the LORD, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:18).
I say ‘interestingly enough’, but is it really interesting? It should come as no surprise to us. After all, since the Garden, the words of God have been twisted and taken out of context to bend to our philosophies, will, and made-up beliefs!
Nevertheless, the words of the Almighty God are still true– He and He alone is the LORD. There truly is no other! When we meditate on this instead of what we think about ourselves, it should humble us to no end. There is no other besides God— not that inspiring leader over there. Not that dedicated ministry worker. Not that outstanding evangelist. Not us.
NO ONE besides Him.
We learn how to rightly see God by paying attention to what He reveals to us about Himself. He wants us to know Him. Scripture tells us all we need to know (2 Peter 1:3) if we only stop to read it and truly consider the words!
Not only does God tell us there is no other besides Him, but in Isaiah 47:4, just a few short verses before the Babylonians stole His declaration, Isaiah calls the LORD God “our Redeemer”, “the LORD of hosts”, and “the Holy One of Israel”. Stop and think about those words for a bit.
Since we’re already in the book of Isaiah, let’s meditate on a few more descriptions of the Lord that are given to us:
“This is what the LORD says, He who is the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of armies: ‘I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me. Who is like Me? Let him proclaim and declare it; and, let him confront Me beginning with My establishing of the ancient nation. Then let them declare to them the things that are coming and the events that are going to take place. Do not tremble and do not be afraid; have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me, or is there any other Rock? I know of none.’”
“Listen to Me, Jacob, Israel whom I called; I am He, I am the first, I am also the last.”
“This is what the LORD says, He who is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to benefit, who leads you in the way you should go.’”
“…And humanity will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”
“For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar (the Lord of armies is His name).”
Choose Your Worship
Sister, the worship of self and the worship of God cannot co-exist. I encourage you to reflect and meditate on these verses (and others) that communicate the truth of God’s greatness. We are not the best, the greatest, or the ultimate, but the good news is— we don’t have to be because we have a God who is. We do not have to live up to the pressures of others looking to us or worshiping our ways because we have a God who can shoulder that and deserves all the worship. Freedom is found in knowing our place, which is abiding in Him, not sitting on His throne. May we release the desire and dangers of the worship of self and pride, and instead worship, honor, and give glory to the only One who truly deserves it.
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