Proverbs 16:18-19 "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."
While preparing to teach some children on the topic of humility, I decided I would share some thoughts here I had on the topic. When considering which Bible passage to share with the group of 1st-3rd graders, I considered Jesus washing His disciples' feet. He wonderfully displayed humility as an example to us in this portion (John 13:15). But the more I thought about it, it seemed more appropriate for this age group to show the opposite quality to clarify the focus on humility: pride. And what better picture of pride versus humility is there than the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector?
Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
PRIDE
Jesus always had a purpose in sharing the parables He did. His listeners comprised of a group that was trusting in their own righteousness. They thought they were better than others whom the Bible says they despised (fairly harsh word, don't you think?).
Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
At first, to the listener, it may seem as though the Pharisee was the better of the two men anyway. After all, no one likes a publican (a tax collector). We can see in Matthew 9:11 that the publicans did not have a very good reputation And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?"
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Wow. What an example of a pride-filled person! The person filled with pride puts others down in order to lift himself up. The worse part of his prayer is that the publican probably heard what the Pharisee was saying about him as he showily brought his prayer to the Lord.
Luke 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Now the Pharisee is boasting of all the good things he does. So (1) he put others down and (2) he lifts himself up. Sounds like he's headed for a hard fall if he doesn't change his ways. I think there's a verse somewhere about that. Oh, yes: Proverbs 16:18-19.
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Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
HUMILITY
This guy, on the other hand, in his spirit of humility won't even lift his eyes. He recognizes his sinful condition and is humble enough to admit it. That's what makes pride so harmful. A person is so reliant on themself and what they do that they can't recognize their sinfulness and need for the Saviour!
Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Basically, here is the two-part conclusion:
(1) He who lifts up himself will be abased (or humiliated).
(2) He who humbles himself will be exalted (or honored).
I know I don't want to be in that first category! So what does it take to humble ourselves? Well, recognize that we are sinners and that He is the Saviour! Without Him, we could never save ourselves. So if He can humble Himself and wash the feet of His disciples, how much more should we humble ourselves?
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