Biblical Wisdom: Avoiding Pride and Seeking Humility

Never Be Wise in Your Own Eyes: A Biblical Perspective

The Danger of Pride

Pride is a subtle but dangerous sin that often creeps up on us when we least expect it. It is a sin that has been around since the beginning of time, and it is one that we must guard against constantly.

Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." The Bible is clear that pride is not only dangerous, but it is also sinful. In fact, the Bible warns us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

As Christians, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of pride. We must always remember that everything we have, including our wisdom and knowledge, comes from God. We are nothing without Him.

The Biblical Mandate to Be Humble

God has called us to be humble and to put others before ourselves. Philippians 2:3-4 says, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Jesus himself modeled humility for us. In Matthew 11:29, He says, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

The Importance of Seeking Counsel

One of the dangers of pride is that it can blind us to our own weaknesses and shortcomings. This is why it is so important to seek counsel from others. Proverbs 15:22 says, "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed."

As Christians, we are part of a body of believers, and we need each other. We need the wisdom and counsel of others to help us navigate the challenges of life.

The Biblical Call to Wisdom

While pride is a sin, wisdom is a virtue that we should all strive for. Proverbs 4:7 says, "The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight."

As Christians, we are called to be wise and discerning. We are called to seek knowledge and understanding so that we can make wise decisions and live according to God's will.

The Danger of Self-Deception

One of the dangers of pride is that it can lead to self-deception. We can become so convinced of our own wisdom and righteousness that we are blinded to the truth.

This is why it is so important to examine ourselves regularly and to ask God to search our hearts. Psalm 139:23-24 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

The Example of Job

The book of Job is a powerful example of the danger of pride and the importance of humility. Job was a righteous man who had everything taken away from him. His friends accused him of sinning and told him to repent, but Job knew that he had done nothing wrong.

In the end, God spoke to Job and reminded him of His power and sovereignty. Job responded by humbling himself before God and repenting of his pride and self-righteousness.

The Importance of a Right View of God

One of the keys to avoiding pride is to have a right view of God. We must remember that God is holy, righteous, and just, and that we are sinners in need of His grace.

Isaiah 6:1-5 gives us a powerful picture of God's holiness and our own sinfulness. Isaiah sees a vision of God on His throne, surrounded by angels who cry out, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"

Isaiah's response is one of fear and humility. He says, "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!"

The Role of the Holy Spirit

Finally, we must remember that it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can overcome pride and grow in humility. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that one of the fruits of the Spirit is humility. As we yield to the Spirit and allow Him to work in our lives, we will become more like Christ, who was the perfect example of humility.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pride is a dangerous sin that we must guard against constantly. As Christians, we are called to be humble and to put others before ourselves. We must seek counsel from others and examine ourselves regularly. We must also remember that wisdom is a virtue that we should all strive for, and that it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can overcome pride and grow in humility.

Let us remember the words of Romans 12:16, "Never be wise in your own sight." May we humble ourselves before God and seek His wisdom and guidance in all that we do.