What would you say to a person whose entire world has seemed to come tumbling down around their feet? Many times in our lives we are faced with the opportunity or necessity to counsel someone who is suffering the consequences of having made an ungodly decision or an unwise choice. They may be angry, confused and frightened at the sudden devastation of a life gone horribly out of control. If this person had once been in a position of influence and power, the result of a moment or even years of stupidity could have overwhelming and far-reaching costs, not only in monetary loss, but loss of lifestyle and any semblance of power.

From a Biblical perspective, the picture of Nebuchadnezzar, whose story we find in the book of Daniel illustrates the consequences of pride. One verse typifies the character of Nebuchadnezzar as well of the result of that character.

Daniel 5:20  But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:

We remember that Nebuchadnezzar was a king who had set himself against God's children in Israel, and who also made himself into his own God. He caused people to be killed for not worshipping him. The account of the three Jewish men who were thrown into the fiery furnace for not worshipping the idol of Nebuchadnezzar is one which we teach to our children as a lesson to trust in God for deliverance. A further lesson from the life of Nebuchadnezzar concerning our premise would be the danger of pride.

We can think of several people, especially in recent years, who have suffered the consequences of pride. These are people who were famous, rich, worldly, powerful, yet who lost all influence as well as power in a moment of time.

As Christians, we often find ourselves counseling people, who may not have been famous, but who we must compare to those who are brought to nothing. In the new testament we find a reference to pride within the warning against self-exaltation.

Matthew 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Equally as significant are those verses warning against pride.

Mark 7:22  Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
1 Timothy 3:6  Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
1 John 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

We see people of the world and people who may be a part of our own lives who have fallen into condemnation. As we are told in 1 Timothy, this condemnation is of the devil.

God has no quarrel with those who are influential, wealthy or powerful, so long as they resist the pride of life spoken of in 1 John 2. We can see that pride, or self-exaltation is a test which must be met and overcome. A perfect example of this test and overcoming is that of Jesus who was tested in the wilderness.

Matthew 4:1  ¶Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2  And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3  And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5  Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6  And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8  Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11  Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

So what do we say to those who are suffering the consequences of their own pride? We convey the love of God and gently lead them to a realization of their wrong choices, so that they may repent and come to God through our Lord, Jesus Christ. In many of these cases, those who are downcast have no concept of any Lord other than themselves. Only through their own suffering are they able to be broken as Nebuchadnezzar was and given the opportunity and ability to be born again.

Daniel 4:37  Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

By the Holy Spirit and to the Glory of God,

Merrellee Moore
January 11, 2004