Damned By Pride

TEXT: 2 KINGS 14:8-16

Key verse: “Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?” (2 Kings 14:10).

Charles H. Spurgeon said: “There is nothing into which the heart of man so easily falls as pride, and yet there is no more vice which is more frequently, more emphatically, and more eloquently condemned in Scripture. Pride is a thing which should be unnatural to us, for we have nothing to be proud of. In almost every other sin, we gather us ashes when the fire is gone. But here, what is left? The covetous man has his shining gold, but what does the proud man have? He has less than he would have had without pride, and is no gainer whatever. Pride wins no crown.”

Jehoash, in today’s text, showed Amaziah the folly of his challenge. “Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?”

The root of sin is in the heart, from which it flows. The Bible underscores Amaziah’s sinful state. Even when he was said to have done what was right in the sight of the Lord, his heart was not right while doing it. It is not providence that makes men proud, discontented, or arrogant, but their own hearts. The pride in the heart of the man at the helm of affairs in Judah led to serious losses when he instigated his men against another king: “And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents.” This man subjected his people to unnecessary ridicule and humiliation.

Amaziah’s case should, therefore, be a strong lesson for us today; that success should not make us proud, aggressive, arrogant and troublesome. If he had heeded Jehoash’s advice and stayed at home, he would not have disgraced himself and his people. Whatever we achieve, we should always remember that God is the source. We must, therefore, learn to be humble and ascribe glory to God from whom all success flows.

Thought for the day: It was pride that changed angels into devils; so watch it.