The Proud, The Lowly and The Blessed

In the course of a conversation with his boss, my friend was asked about his loyalty to our school Superintendent. My friend then asked a clarifying question, “Are you asking me if I would lie for the Superintendent?”

Regardless of how the question was asked, my friend recognized that loyalty to the established hierarchy had been elevated above morality. He looked for another job.

When you think about my friend’s conversation with his new boss, the question was not really about loyalty, but about control. The boss was trying to discover if he could control my friend.

Throughout the ages mankind has attempted to take control. Men and women have coveted positions of authority. Lacking authority many have turned to strength or the use of money.

If you don’t have authority or strength or money, beauty and charm may work. For others, intellect is a sure bet. Just think about the use of statistics. After gathering all kinds of information it is processed and analyzed and then used to predict future outcomes. Decisions are no longer based on chance or ‘gut feelings’ but statistical probabilities...and statistics don’t lie!

Mankind is interested in anything that will give him greater control over his circumstances, and that includes control over people. Those who prize control often exploit weaknesses in people, loopholes in legal code, and even popular opinion in order to manipulate others.

Solomon wrote about all this…

Pride goes before destruction, 

   and a haughty spirit before a fall.

It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor 

   than to divide the spoil with the proud. 

 —Proverbs 16:18-19

The one who thinks he can take control of his life is naïve. He is full of pride.

So, is the proverb a natural truth, like gravity? Is it the case that those with a haughty spirit will fall because that is God’s design, just like gravity is God’s design? Or is it more the case that the prideful person will eventually fall as a result of divine judgment?

Both views are relevant. There are cases in which the prideful person is destroyed as a matter of how things work in this world. Yet, it is also true that ultimately God will condemn those who are full of pride regardless of their experience on earth.

Those with a lowly spirit are compared to those who “divide the spoil” (or plunder). This refers to those who overpower and take material wealth through immoral activity.

Solomon said it is better to reside with the humble. The idea is that it is better to choose righteousness and be content with poverty, than to obtain wealth immorally.

So, why would a person turn to immoral activity to obtain wealth? Isn’t it a matter of faith? Either they do not believe God can/will fill their needs or they do not think God will fill their needs to their satisfaction. Lacking faith, they pridefully take control of life’s circumstances! Yet, God opposes the proud. (James 4:6)

Finally, Solomon does not just denounce pride, he points to the way of life:

Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, 

   and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. 

 —Proverbs 16:20

The Lord’s way provides real confidence in life. The blessed will walk by faith, not by sight.

Mark Stinnett

June 11, 2023

What Are Your Plans?

She shook my hand, and, almost stammering, finally said, “I really wanted to complement you on today’s sermon...I just don’t want you to get a big head.” She grew up learning the danger of pride. She was being careful to guard against putting a stumbling block in front of me by tempting me with pride.

I jokingly assured her that I would not take what she said seriously. (We laughed.)

I accept heartfelt compliments and take them seriously because I have walked in those shoes. What I mean is that I have listened to teachers and preachers who have opened God’s word to my mind in such a meaningful and exciting way that I have expressed my thanks with personal compliments.

Even so, that particular Sunday has stuck with me. The problem of pride is very real, and my older friend understood. She also understood how much more problematic pride is for youth. Lacking the breadth of knowledge and wisdom gained only with passing time, young people, especially those in their teens and twenties , but even in their thirties, can easily fall into pride.

I sometimes cringe when I hear graduating seniors speak of their immediate and future plans. They tell of all the things they will be and do. Some talk about post-graduation education, others, employment. Some talk about why they will engage in their next endeavor, a stepping stone to something greater, job security, a sizeable income, great service to others, etc.

I suppose it is not surprising that I have never heard a young person say that he/she aspires to be righteous or to be godly. The reason? That doesn’t seem to be a lofty goal in life.

Loftiness. That’s the real problem. Whenever a person lifts himself up he is in trouble. Several related words appear in the book of Proverbs: pride, arrogance, haughtiness, boasting. Each has something to do with elevating oneself. Listen to Solomon’s wisdom:

Pride goes before destruction,

and a haughty spirit before a fall.

—Proverbs 16:18 (ESV)

One’s pride will bring him low,

But he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. 

 —Proverbs 29:23 (ESV)

Haughty eyes and a proud heart,

The lamp of the wicked, are sin.

—Proverbs 21:4 (ESV)

Jesus said, “The eye is the lamp of your body” (Luke 11:34). That seems to be what Solomon meant, only he was specifically focused on haughty eyes. So, he called them “the lamp of the wicked.” Notice that pride and haughtiness are not merely things that are not recommended or unwise, they are sin.

Do you want to talk about your plans? Great!

Do not boast about tomorrow,

For you do not know what a day may bring. 

 —Proverbs 27:1

Talk about your plans. Just remember, you do not know if you will wake up tomorrow. Humbly tell people, “This is what I am planning to do.” Do not boast in the uncertainty of tomorrow.

One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, 

but a fool is reckless and careless. 

 —Proverbs 14:16

Turn away from boastful words. It is a fool who is reckless and careless in what he says. Do not sin by prideful boasting.

Mark Stinnett

June 4, 2023