Messages
from the Bible
A Sermon by Dr. Neil Chadwick
Pride is the Cancer of the Soul, left undiagnosed and untreated, it will destroy spiritual life. Small, microscopic cancer cells can get their start in many different ways.
2. Or it may begin as the wrong response to what may be called a small failure. Not wanting to take responsibility for that failure, we look around us to find someone who is obviously getting it all wrong, and we say, "I'm certainly better than they are."
3. It even may innocently begin when a compliment is offered, and instead of giving thanks to God, we begin to take the credit to ourselves.
4. Cancer cells of pride begin to form when we stubbornly want to have everything our way, instead of yielding to the Will of God and the needs and desires of others.
5. Sometimes pride displays its true colors when we're asked to do something we really don't want to do because the task requested is "beneath us."
6. When in a debate with someone else, we may conclude that our knowledge is superior, and we delight in winning the argument. While it certainly is right to speak up for what we believe, the arrogance accompanying the "win" is nothing but the cancer called pride.
7. When we are unwilling to acknowledge an offense and seek forgiveness, pride is taking hold in our souls.
8. When someone offers a piece of advice, and we turn it down "because of the source", a small cancer cell has begun to grow.
9. More seriously, when we look down on people who are not similar in color, race, national origin, or economic standing, the cancer of pride has already moved into an advanced stage.
10. Perhaps one of the more subtle forms of this cancer called pride is when we think that our own experience with God makes us bit better than other people who haven't been so blessed, as if God's blessings are rewards for our own goodness.
Today is a good day to take inventory. Let's come to the spiritual health clinic or God's Word and receive a check-up for the cancer of pride, and then allow the Divine Healer to apply treatment.
It is interesting that in America we have become anxious to have "early detection" for physical afflictions, and Christians are quick to ask prayer for bodily healing. At the same time, we are often slow to seek a healing touch for the afflictions of the soul. Perhaps one of the outstanding traits of this affliction we're calling the "Cancer of Pride" is that it keeps us from even admitting there's a problem, and resisting available help and healing.
But while we're talking about pride, let's at the same time consider its opposite, humility.
I. The Scripture repeatedly speaks concerning Humility.
A. Here are 13 lessons provided in the "Proverbs":
"To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech." (8:13)
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (11:2)
"Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice." (13:10)
"The LORD tears down the proud man's house but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact." (15:25)
"The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor." (15:33)
"The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished." (16:5)
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud." (16:18,19)
"Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor." (18:12)
"Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!" (21:4)
"The proud and arrogant man--'Mocker' is his name; he behaves with overweening pride." (21:24)
"Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life." (22:4)
"A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor." (29:23)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)
"The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:11,12)
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." (Romans 12:3)
"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." (II Corinthians 10:12)
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3)
"But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" (James 4:6)
A. Child - "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:4)
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29)
The very act of praying is an admission of humility, for it recognizes our dependence upon God.
Our prayer should always include a request to be filled with the Spirit. Remember, "meekness" is listed as one of the Fruit of the Spirit" in Galatians 5:23.
But notice this, humility is something that is best for us to do for ourselves, rather than wait for the discipline to produce it in us: "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." (1 Peter 5:6); "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." (James 4:10)
1. Because we are saved, we can begin feeling superior, and then look down on others. Let's never forget what D.L. Moody said. When he saw a drunken man lying in the street, he said, "There but by the Grace of God, go I."
2. Believing our doctrine is right, we easily can look down on those who may disagree.
3. When there are unresolved problems in the church, we must always be ready to trace it to this source, the "Cancer of Pride".
4. Among Christians there is often an unmet need for affirmation, so we get it by comparing ourselves with other people so that, in our own eyes at least, we can look good. It seems to me that even among Christians the saying is true, "Everyone always wants to come out smelling like a rose."
Humility
Humility
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1. Pride may begin from a small wound. Someone has hurt us by what they said or did, and something in us rises up to say, "You can't do that to me. I'm just not going to take that. You really don't know who you're dealing with, do you?"
"He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble." (3:34)
B. Also consider what Isaiah, Jesus, Paul and James had to say about humility:
"For this is what the high and lofty One says-- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." (Isaiah 57:15)
C. Jesus told a story which points out the need for humility:
"When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 'When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, `Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, `Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.'" (Luke 14:7-11)
II. There are three prominent Biblical Models of Humility: Child, Servant, and Jesus.
To be "child-like" is not the same as being "childish". Maturity is called for, but is never confused with superiority. Wise parents do not "talk down" to their children, but respect them, and always treat them with dignity.
B. Servant - "But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant." (Matthew 23:11)
What ever else he is, the servant is at the bottom of the social system. For the Christian, service is done willingly, not out of necessity.
C. Jesus
"And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!" (Note v. 5 - "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:") (Philippians 2:8)
III. If pride is the sickness of sin, a cancer to the soul, what then are the treatments?
A. Sincere Prayer and Praise will always produce humility.
"When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:13,14)
B. The trials and troubles of this life are designed to bring us to a place of humility.
"Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers. Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. " (Deuteronomy 8:1-3)
C. A determined attitude of thankfulness is also an important antidote to pride.
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)
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