FoolProof Your Life: Timeless Wisdom For Modern Living

Staying Humble In A Prideful World

Introduction: Why do we need this message?

“Pride sucks.”

• Pride often masquerades as self-confidence that propels you to greatness
• Despite pride’s short-term success, it gives way to long-term failure
• We all deal with pride; it sneaks up in our blind spots and takes root in our lives

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” – C.S. Lewis

The Wisdom of Proverbs

• Proverbs offers what is missing in our world – wisdom
• It’s a guide on how God says we can do life well

“So like the law of gravity that governs the pull between two objects, what God says is success according to his wisdom is what success really is in life whether we come up with our own definition of it or not.”

Main Points: Trading Pride for Humility

1. Understanding Pride and Humility
   • Pride: Belief that we don’t need God or we replace Him as God in our lives
   • Humility: Recognition that we need God and all we have is from God

[Proverbs 3:34] “The Lord mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble.”

[Proverbs 15:25] “The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows.”

[Proverbs 11:2] “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

2. The Fear of the Lord

[Proverbs 1:7] “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

[Proverbs 22:4 (NIV)] “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.”

3. Trading Pride for Humility a. Tell yourself the truth about God
   • He is Creator, King, sovereign, and good

   [Psalm 19:1] “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.” b. Tell yourself the truth about yourself

   • Everything we have comes from God

   [1 Corinthians 1:31] “Therefore, as the Scriptures say, ‘If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.'” c. Tell yourself the truth about others

   • View others as better than yourself

   [Philippians 2:3-4] “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

Application: What do we need to do?

1. Identify areas in our lives where we might be prideful
2. Ask yourself:
   • Are you willing to examine if your beliefs align with the truth about God, yourself, and others?
   • Are there areas in your life where you lack respect for God and His teachings?
   • Do you have an overinflated view of yourself or your abilities in any area of your life?
3. Confess wrong views and commit to having the right kind of view

“Scripture teaches that pride leads to death, but humility leads to life.”

Application Questions

1. What stood out to you from this message and why?
2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
4. How will this message change how you act at home, at work, and in your relationships?