The Idolatry of Pride

"There was a judge in one town who didn't fear God or respect man. And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' "For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or respect man, yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so she doesn't wear me out by her persistent coming.'" - Luke 18:2-5 HCSB

Human pride leads us to believe that we are self-sufficient, masters of ourselves and captains of our own fate. Hubris says “I have no need of God or others.” The judge in this story was so elevated in pride that he actually conceived himself as being above Adonai Adonaim! But the one who has contempt for instruction will pay the penalty and the one who respects God’s commands will be rewarded.[1]

Pride is ultimately the sin of idolatry. It is the same as witchcraft. When the prophet Samuel was rebuking King Saul, he said, “Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and defiance is like wickedness and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”[2]

Pride leads us to say we are superior others, or that our needs should come before others, even to the extent of the regarding of others with contempt as if they were unworthy of any relation or interaction with us! It lifts our self-interests and our self-sufficiencies, which at first blush seem necessary and good. However, when we are self-sufficient, we will not only fail to see our need for redemption, but also fail to see our need for growth in spiritual matters. Therefore, the self becomes the god, and any work of the One True God is muted and put aside.

You cannot serve two masters.[3] You either serve God or you serve someone else. If you serve yourself you ultimately serve God’s enemy, the devil.

Biblical humility entails accepting our human limitations and acknowledging our dependence on our Creator...as well as on one another. We must be teachable.[4] If we are, humility offers many rewards. If we humble ourselves, pray, seek Hashem’s face and turn from our evil ways we will receive forgiveness and healing.[5] When we reach and serve those who are humiliated, God will in turn help us.[6] Elohim hears the desire of the humble. He strengthens their hearts. He listens carefully to our needs and does justice for us so that we no longer need be terrified by men.[7] Yahweh Aman gives great grace to the humble and will exalt them in due time.[8]

[1] Proverbs 13:13
[2] 1 Samuel 15:22-23
[3] Matthew 6:24-25; Luke 16:13
[4] Proverbs 3:5-6; 12:15; Philippians 2:3
[5] 2 Chronicles 7:14
[6] Job 22:29
[7] Psalm 10:17-18
[8] James 4:6, 10; Matthew 18:4