Pride andHumility, Lying and Truth

O. T. #1446  "Pride and Humility, Lying and Truth"
May 20, 2019
Proverbs 6-Part 2
These six things the LORD doth hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.  Proverbs 6:16-17

LET IT GLOW

Yep, we have all seen them-women strutting around in their pretty clothes and matching shoes, so full of pride that they would burst like a balloon if anyone touched them. Guys drive around in a waxed duly truck or a fancy little sports car. Pride is a dangerous thing. It separates people, families, friends, and God.

What displeases God? Listed in verses 16-19 is His hate list. What can we learn from it?
What is listed first? A proud look is first.

Proud, in the Hebrew language, means to rise or raise; exalt (self); lofty; promote; set up on (high).

God hates any kind of idol or anything that would take His place in our hearts. A proud look is literally eyes of loftiness. It is the attitude that overvalues self and undervalues others. This is pride. It is that thought of the heart, that little look and that turn of the face, that flash of the eye which says you are better than someone else. God says, "I hate it." It is number one on His list-He puts it ahead of murder and ahead of drunkenness. God hates the proud look. (J. Vernon McGee)

Pride is proud of itself. Nothing is more sacred than truth, nor more necessary to conversation than speaking truth. (Matthew Henry)
Now isn't that a profound statement and true?

James 4:6and 1 Peter 5:5 tell us, Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud; but giveth grace unto the humble.

So would the opposite of pride be humility? A humble person submits unto God, while a proud person lifts himself up above everyone. Don't you think? When we become independent of God, then we make our self as a god. Haven't we all been guilty of a proud look-looking down on someone?

We are always in need of more grace. That comes when we humble our self under the mighty hand of God. So pride separates us from our God, we are thinking that we are in need of nothing.
So when we pass by a scroungy looking person on the sidewalk, are we degrading or sympathetic? Are we grateful for the life God has given us?

Folks, our greatest example of humility is Jesus Christ. He showed us how to be humble when He became a servant and served others. He humbled Himself when He hung on the cross, dying in our place. He could have called 10,000 angels to His rescue, but chose not to do so. Now that is LOVE!

LET IT GROW

There are two things that get my goat-a child who shows disrespect and who lies. Even when it is a stranger, sometimes I have to butt in and correct the child. I tend to not do it so often now, but when I was a teacher, I couldn't let it go.

What is the second on God's list? A lying tongue. He is a God of Truth. (Psalm 31:5)

A lying tongue indicates a heart of deceit, which leads to shedding innocent blood. Haven't you found that one lie leads to another and a bigger one? If truth was easy to tell, we would have no problem saying it. Often times it is told so we won't look bad.

LET IT GO

Get rid of the proud look and be humble.
Be a loving servant.
Always tell the truth.