A Pair to Remember

Proud. Proud. Proud. Proud. Proud. Proud. Proud. Proud. Proud. Proud. 
Humble. Humble. Humble. Humble. Humble. Humble. Humble. Humble.

A person cannot read the Proverbs without learning something about God’s attitude toward pride and humility. The Apostle Peter summed it up succinctly:
   God is opposed to the proud, 
   But gives grace to the humble.
   --1 Peter 5:5

Not only should we see God’s attitude toward pride and humility in the Proverbs, we should learn how to avoid pride and its pitfalls, as well as how to embrace humility and its blessings. Perhaps the real question is whether we believe the words of Solomon and Peter or simply wish to blunder through life indulging our human nature.

Consider the proverb...

   When pride comes, then comes dishonor, 
   But with the humble is wisdom.
   --Proverbs 11:2

Dishonor follows pride. This is a principle of life that God has put into place in his creation. It is like gravity; God made it to be that way.

Some folks look for exceptions, or, at least, occasions that appear to be exceptions. People that challenge God and His word by pressing a supposed exception are scoffers. Their naïve assessment of God's word demonstrates pride in their thinking.

Jesus taught a parable that illustrated the principle found in the proverb. It is worth a quick look. 

And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. 10 But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you."

His conclusion in verse 11:
   "For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, 
   And he who humbles himself shall be exalted."

Looking back to the proverb...
The second line of the proverb contrasts the first, but with a notable difference. Dishonor 'follows' pride, but wisdom is 'with' the humble.

Dishonor and pride are a pair, but one follows the other. In contrast, wisdom and humility are paired together as close companions. We can safely conclude that a wise person will demonstrate humility, but also, that a humble person pursues and lives according to wisdom.

Are you able to read this proverb and accept it at face value? Or, do you find God to be out of sync with the people of our day? Do you have insight into truth that surpasses God's understanding? Are you a scoffer?

See pride for what it is. Embrace the noble pair, humility and wisdom, and enjoy the results, grace from our Creator.