“The Lord of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth.” (Isaiah 23:9, ESV)
This section of Isaiah deals with a prophecy concerning Tyre and Sidon. Tyre was a seaport, a prosperous and pompous city that historically had its rises and falls. This particular prophecy indicated that it would have a 70-year period, in which Assyrian aggression would cause a cessation of its prominence as a trade city. The downfall of Tyre affected the entire Mediterranean. This may have been the years from 700 to 630BC.
Verse 9 presents a solemn and universal warning to the proud and haughty. It is a theme that runs throughout the Scriptures as we see in the words James wrote.
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6, ESV)
Pride is the most sinister of all sin. It is at the root of man’s sin problem. We see pride in the sin of Satan who seeks to be equal to the Most High. We see pride in the action of Eve and then Adam in the first sin that they might be “like God.” We see pride in the building of the Tower of Babel that they might “make a name for” themselves. We see pride at the root of the Pharisaism of Jesus’ day.
Pride is rooted in the fallen nature of man. It is something with which we universally struggle. It causes people to seek their own interests rather than the purposes and ways of God. It mixes up our priorities. It causes people to take advantage of others. It is at the heart of vengeance. It creates judgmental attitudes. It produces an unforgiving spirit. It is at the heart of divorce. It is at the heart of insecurity. It leads to the worship of things, that is materialism. It leads to seeking power, fame and fortune. Ultimately, pride leads to ruin.
The writer of Proverbs tells us that “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18, ESV)
How do we conquer this most ferocious of beasts? First, we must admit that we all have a problem with it. Those who deny it are the most steeped in it. Those who do not examine themselves and their actions against pride are certain to stumble in it.
Second, we must battle the prideful beast with prayer. We should do this, confessing our tendencies towards self-centeredness and seeking the power of God’s grace to deliver us.
Third, we must turn from our thoughts and deeds that display pride. This includes our efforts to esteem ourselves over others.
Fourth, we also need to guard against the lusts of the flesh which prioritize the things that pleasure our physical and emotional desires over the will of God.
Fifth and most importantly, we must seek to glorify God alone. “Soli Deo Gloria.” We cannot glorify self and God at the same time. Remember, in all of our actions and thoughts, we are to bring glory and honor to God. Paul cited this precept from Jeremiah.
“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 10:17, ESV)
In fact, we find that dealing with pride requires humility. For humility is essential for people to even consider their personal struggle with pride. It is quite a paradox if you think about it. Only the humble person will recognize his or her pride and yet the one who speaks of his or her own humility actually manifests pride in doing so. Thus, we come to this conclusion. Humility is a work of God’s grace that flows forth from the Spirit filled life. People who are steeped in pride are people that are not walking by the Spirit.
Renewing the Heart 