The High Cost of Pride
2006006
Topic 695 – Habakkuk
Introduction:
A. Thomas Jefferson: I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever.
B. Pride is Satan’s universal temptation invading both man and nation which often brings catastrophic consequences.
C. Hab. 2:6-20 – an honest and upfront examination of pride.
1. Hab. 2:4 – a contrast of attitudes is presented.
a) Those living by “faith” demonstrate humility and submit to God.
b) Those who are “proud” will not find “life” because they have turned away from God.
2. Hab. 1:6 – Habakkuk told God is raising up Babylon to punish Judah.
3. Hab. 1:13 – Habakkuk struggled to understand how a just God could use an evil nation.
4. Hab. 2:6-20 – God explains that Babylon would not escape God’s wrath.
a) the nation would become its own undoing
b) Arrogant pride would ensure its destruction.
D. Pride is a sin that is often hard to recognize until it has latched on to us.
1. Pride always has a high cost.
2. Many subtly tempted to yield to pride w/o considering its inevitable end.
E. Pro. 21:24 - Pride is described in Scripture as an indication of one who is foolish.
1. Perhaps if we completely understood the damage it does, we would do a better job of keeping ourselves clear of pride. Let’s first understand the damage it does by looking at…
I. Pride’s Victims
A. Pride is Satan’s universal temptation without regard for man or nation.
1. Many people have been affected in some way by pride.
a. By those looking to get ahead; no regard for others.
b. Perhaps wonder why God allowed bad to happen to them.
2. We may not understand “why” something happened, but we can know God will judge evil.
B. Two things we need to understand concerning pride:
1. When you are controlled by pride, you will say and do things that will hurt others.
a. Your focus is on yourself, not others.
2. Rom. 12:17, 19-21 - If negatively affected by pride, we must leave retribution to God.
a. It is not our place to seek revenge.
b. Ezek. 9:10; Jer. 51:56b - God will judge evil.
II. The Traits of Pride
A. Babylon demonstrated actions that characterize pride. The following traits mark all who allow themselves to be controlled by pride.
1. Look around. We can see these traits in our time.
2. What we will discover is the corruption and inevitable damnation into which pride leads.
3. 2:6-20 – God pronounces a series of woes on the proud. They reveal the tragic character of pride.
B. 2:6-8 - Greed and Ambition
1. Babylon was a nation consumed with greed and ambition.
a. She was controlled by selfish pleasure.
b. She wants more and is willing to do anything to get it.
2. Society today reflects the same mindset.
a. People seek “one more” dollar; project; etc; it’s never enough.
b. A relentless passion for self pleasure; comfort; and convenience.
c. Will our nation ever be satisfied?
3. 2:6b-7 – practice of piling one loan on another until no possibility of being repaid. One day the nation would be unable to pay.
4. Pro. 30:8-9 - Must learn to trust the provisions of God.
C. 2:9-11 - Evil Scheming
1. Due to its seemingly rich status Babylon felt secure. Rich economically. No one could touch them.
a. Obad. 1:4 - “Put his nest high” – God would take them down.
2. People today seek ways to get ahead without regard for those around them.
a. Do not have regard of those they trample on.
b. 2:11 - Stones and rafters will tell on them.
3. Those who scheme in such a way have one that judges them.
a. Luke 12:15-21 – Did the rich man have “genuine” security?
b. Remember God is aware of what’s going on.
D. 2:12-14 - Violence
1. Being controlled by greed, Babylon brought destruction upon all she came in contact with.
a. Felt invincible; she was rich, therefore powerful.
b. Pride desensitized consciences, putting people’s desires above the welfare of others.
c. For a time – violence may appear to be triumphant, but it never renders genuine success. Often violence is an utter failure.
2. Many people’s behavior today is controlled by pride.
a. How often has someone killed or hurt another because they “didn’t respect me?”
b. Pride has desensitized us to the problems we face.
3. When one is full of pride there are no restrictions. This is the great danger associated with it.
a. Thus, violence is easy to commit; morality is easy to do away with.
E. 2:15-17 - Immorality
1. Babylon was a nation known for its excess of alcohol.
a. Sought the advantage over others in certain situations.
b. Notice the effect:
1) Made drunk to show nakedness
2. Alcohol has caused many people to do things they normally wouldn’t.
a. Pride says…
1) I can hold my liquor.
2) Nothing wrong with drinking socially
b. Pro. 20:1; 23:29-25; 1 Peter 4:3 - Drinking, excessive and socially, are condemned in Scripture.
3. Christians must avoid the temptations such as these and focus upon the Lord and His will.
F. 2:18-19 - Idolatry
1. Babylon was focused, not upon God, but upon themselves, thus making them God.
a. God was not important to them.
2. Idolatry is removing God with the pre-eminent concern in your life and replacing Him with a greater concern.
3. Idolatry occurs when we have no time for God, but do for…
a. Television; exercise; ball games, etc.
b. 2nd job; overtime, etc.
4. Mark 12:29-30 - Must seek to have God as number one in our lives.
III. Pride’s Absolute Harvest
A. Three things that pride will reap:
1. 2:7 - Plunder
a. Though Babylon “had it all”, she would lose it.
b. Gal. 6:7-8 - we will reap what we sow.
2. 2:10 - Shame
a. Though beautiful in the eyes of themselves, they would be reduced to nothing.
b. Pride has same effect on us today.
1) made high, brought low
3. 2:13 - Futility
a. Babylon was a mighty power, but she was replaced.
b. Those invested in pride will one day find out their lives have been wasted.
B. 2:20 - No matter how severe the problem seems to be, remember God is aware of all that occurs.
Conclusion
A. Pride may seem innocent but it leaves destruction in its wake.
B. Put your trust in God and not in yourself.
C. Humble yourself to the mighty hand of God.
D. I N V I T A T I O N
