God's Warnings Against Pride - Zac Poonen
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Summary
The central message is a warning against pride, emphasizing that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. The speaker draws parallels from church history, noting that decline often sets in when groups become proud of their achievements or status. True humility, regardless of wealth or success, is what matters, as exemplified by the two thieves on the cross. The ultimate goal of humility is to be exalted over sin, not over people or worldly achievements.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The forgotten command of humilityIt is easy to remember the call to be humble at the start of the Christian life, but rare for people or churches to remain humble after God blesses them.
God opposes the proudPeter warns believers to humble themselves under God's mighty hand because God opposes the proud, whereas His grace flows like a river to the lowest place.1 Peter 5:6
Exalted over sin, not peopleGod's goal in exalting the humble is to give them victory over sin and anything unlike Jesus Christ, not to make them famous or superior to others.
Tracing defeat back to prideWhenever we slip up or lose our temper, it is because we lacked grace at that moment due to hidden pride and taking credit for what God did.
The roaring lion of prideThe devil prowls like a roaring lion seeking to devour believers not through persecution, but by infecting them with pride.
Old Testament examples as warningsThree-quarters of the Bible is made up of Old Testament stories written as examples so we do not crave evil things or fall into self-confidence.1 Corinthians 10:6
Eve and NoahEve fell through pride by thinking she knew better than God, and Noah, despite saving the earth, fell into drunkenness after feeling secure in his success.Genesis 3:5
Abraham and JacobAbraham and Jacob both stumbled when they tried to help God fulfill His promises through their own clever schemes rather than trusting Him fully.Genesis 12:2–3
Moses and GideonMoses took the glory for bringing water from the rock and Gideon demanded gold after victory, showing how easily leaders fall into self-importance.Numbers 12:3
Samson, Samuel, Saul, David, and JudasSamson, Samuel, Saul, David, and Judas all suffered ruin when blessings and high callings led them to rely on themselves instead of God.
Beware of self-righteous comparisonsWe must never look down on other churches or boast about our children as if we are superior, which ruins families and churches.
The secret to remaining humbleThe secret to staying humble is to walk daily with the humblest man who ever lived, Jesus Christ, starting each day in dependence upon Him.
