This week the media has been focused on the Democratic National Convention which kicked off this week. So far it has been afraid of celebrities and political superstars who believe their status and success give them more authority and understanding.
It just goes to show, that regardless of what side of the political aisle you are on, people are more impressed with earthly success than heavenly treasures.
- Wealth
- Status
- Fame
- Power
The temptations and pleasures of this life can blind us all to what matters, regardless of your political affiliation. Just last month at the RNC, the party paraded its preferred musicians and Hollywood A-listers to flex their political muscle.
Even God’s people forget that He isn’t a respecter of persons and there is no need to become prideful because of our success (Acts 10:34-35, Romans 2:11-20.)
What is Pride?
Pride is part of mankind’s sinful nature and no one is immune to it, regardless of our political affiliation or worldview. I will be the first to admit when life is going good, I can let pride slip in.
Pride is defined as, “Confidence and satisfaction in oneself; pleasure that comes from a relationship, possession, or achievement.” Understanding pride better should make it easier to see why success and earthly greatness can be bad for us, especially if they become our main goals in life.
The path for God’s people to greatness isn’t the same path of the world. The great Bible teacher Andrew Murray explained to the 19th-century church, “Pride must die in you or nothing of heaven can live in you.”
The Bible warns God’s people about the pride (Romans 12:3; 16, 2 Corinthians 10:7-12, Galatians 6:3, Ephesians 2:8-9, Philippians 2:3.) Not only did the Apostle Paul need to be humbled himself, he remembered his Jewish education and warnings about pride.
Gā’ôn
The ancient world was very materialistic and prideful; it focused on temporary happiness and pleasure. The Greek philosophers believed that pleasure was life’s ultimate purpose.
The Hebrew word for pride used in the Old Testament is gā’ôn and it can also mean, “Excellence, exaltation, majesty, or arrogance,” depending on the context it was used in. God called His people to be different from this fallen world, which means pride must die in each of us (Leviticus 26:19, 1 Samuel 16:7, Job 41:34, Psalm 59:12, Proverbs 21:24, Isaiah 23:9, Obadiah 1:3.)
That is why Judaism the Torah emphasizes the need for humility in God’s people; ironically the Torah considers humility one of the greatest Jewish virtues.
- Humility
- Peace
- Justice
- Truth
- Charity
- Love
It’s no coincidence that God sent his Son, the Messiah, into the world as a humble baby and servant instead of as a mighty or powerful King. Because God’s ways are not like ours and He is higher than us (Isaiah 55:8.)
Jesus taught that servanthood was the path to true greatness in God’s Kingdom (Matthew 20:26-28.) It just shows how much God’s people don’t understand the ways of God and often contradict them.
In one of His parables, Jesus condemned the pride of the religious leaders who trusted in themselves (Luke 18:9-14.) It is too easy for God’s people to become proud and do evil in the name of God.
Pride isn’t a political or a worldly problem, it is a human problem and we will each battle it at some point in our lives. That is why none of us must trust in ourselves for greatness or salvation (Proverbs 3:4-6, Jeremiah 10:23, 2 Corinthians 1:9, Hebrews 13:5.)
Netanyahu
As the war in the Middle East continues to grow, everyone from Hollywood superstars to politicians is trying to convince Prime Minister Netanyahu to either end the war or not agree to a cease-fire. But, God’s people are called to listen to and follow God, not the ways of this world (Micah 6:8, Romans 12:2.)
The pride of this life is at war with the humble ways of God and His Kingdom. We must remember that even in our suffering, God’s ways are better and higher than ours.
Mr. Netanyahu needs to remember to trust in God, not in politics or might. Pride blinds us all to the ways of God.
- Justice
- Compassion
- Humility
- Love
The Bible teaches us to fix our eyes on heaven (Matthew 6: 33-34; 10: 28; 16:23, Colossians 3:1-25.) This world is temporary. If we serve a God we cannot live like the world. Success, money, and power cannot save us. They will only lead to gā’ôn!
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