Wise Words: The Right Kind of Pride

2021-05-02 

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Last week, we talked about the dangers of pride as discussed in Proverbs 16:18 and Isaiah 14. There is no question pride is one of the great weapons used by Satan to destroy us. But there is one kind of pride that actually is not a bad thing. Today, we’ll let the prophet Jeremiah give us a clear picture of the right kind of pride. 

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (CSB) This is what the Lord says: The wise person should not boast in his wisdom; the strong should not boast in his strength; the wealthy should not boast in his wealth. 24 But the one who boasts should boast in this: that he understands and knows me—that I am the Lord, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things.

This is the Lord’s declaration. 

Pride in… 

1. Knowing God

Vs 24a But the one who boasts should boast in this: that he understands and knows me…

• Our greatest source of pride should not be in what we have, what we do or who we are; it should be in who He is in our lives 

2 Peter 3:18 (CSB): But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity 

Proverbs 8:17 (CSB): I love those who love me,

and those who search for me find me 

2. Seeking God

Vs 24b that I am the Lord…

• The only way to know God is to seek God and to recognize Him for who He is…not a great teacher, prophet or example but rather the one true God of the universe 

Jeremiah 29:13 (CSB) You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart 

3. Seeking Truth

Vs 24c … showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth…

• Through seeking Him we will not only find Him, we will find what is true. In a world where truth is relative and changes daily, we must look at Him for what He is…the same yesterday, today and forever 

John 8:31–32 (CSB): Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word,, you really are my disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

4. Glorifying Him

Vs 24d for I delight in these things. This is the Lord’s declaration.

• We exist to bring Him honor and glory. It is never to be about our own glory, it is all about Him 

Colossians 3:23 (CSB): Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people 

1 Corinthians 10:31 (CSB): So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong 

Jeremiah 23:5-6 (CSB) Look, the days are coming”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“when I will raise up a Righteous Branch for David. He will reign wisely as king and administer justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. This is the name he will be called: The Lord Is Our Righteousness.