1. Wisdom Issues in Proverbs
1. My Relationship with God
My “Heart” – Worship, Submission, Trust
2.My Character
Purity
Humility
Integrity
Diligence
Kindness
Self-control
3.Social
Relationships
Neighbors
Friendships
Speech
Conflict
Government
Authority
Accountability
4. Family
Marriage
Purity
Attitude
Parenting
Respect
Discipline
5. Finances
Honoring God
Contentment
Generosity
Loans/Surety
Wealth

2. PRIDE
Copyright VCLi

3. Pride goes before…
(Proverbs 16:18-19) Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. {19}
(Proverbs 18:12) Before his downfall a man's heart is proud
(Proverbs 29:23) A man's pride brings him low,

4. The 1st sin – Satan’s Pride
(Isaiah 14:13-14) You (Satan) said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God… I will make myself like the Most High."
(Ezekiel 28:16-17) I (God) drove you (Satan) in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. {17} Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor.
“Pride is the worst viper that is in the heart; it is the first sin that ever entered into the universe, and it lies lowest of all in the foundation of the whole building of sin…it is ready to mix with everything; and nothing is so hateful to God, and contrary to the spirit of the Gospel…and there is no one sin that does so much let in the Devil into the hearts of the saints”
Jonathan Edwards – 1700’s preacher/theologian

5. Pride – The sinful root
(Proverbs 21:4) Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!
= Pride is the source of all other sin!
Greed – Wanting things that makes me look good
Jealousy – Wanting image etc. to look good
Conflict – Blaming you so I look better
Deceit – Hiding what we did wrong – to look good
Bitterness – Resentment for making me look bad
Hypocrisy – Pretending to look better than we are
Embarrassment – I don’t want to be seen as I am

6. Grace for the humble
(2 Chronicles 33:12-13) In his distress he (King Manasseh) sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. {13} And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God.
(Proverbs 3:34) He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.
The single object of our life is the glory of God [to make God looks good]. If we do not make it the supreme goal of our efforts, we must deprive ourselves of His help, for His grace is only at the service of His glory.
Theodore Monod

7. Trials that Prevent Pride
(2 Corinthians 12:7-9) To keep me from becoming conceited… there was given me a thorn in my flesh…{8} Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. {9} But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

8. Humility and Honor
(Proverbs 15:33) The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
 (Proverbs 18:12) Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
 (Proverbs 22:4) Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.
 (Proverbs 29:23) A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.
(James 4:10) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

9. Discovering Pride; Developing Humility
My pride is mostly invisible to me (it’s an attitude).
Pride is mostly discovered by finding out what others see in me.
God will use people who know me best,
Some will be my closest friends/spouse
Some will be the people I find hard to work with.
My defensiveness is my pride.
Developing humility is a continual exercise of listening to God and others.
Confess, Apologize, Seek input and support of others.

10. The humble are teachable/approachable
(Proverbs 15:31) He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.
(Proverbs 19:20) Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.
(Proverbs 19:25) …rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
(Proverbs 21:11) When a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge.