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NOT A PROUD HEART (I)
LORD’S DAY, JUNE 13
Proverbs 16:5

Ezekiel 28:11-19

 

“Every one that is proud in heart is

an abomination to the LORD…”

 

NOT A PROUD HEART (I)
 
Pride, so the proverb warns, “goeth before destruction” (Prov 16:18). It was the very first sin to be found in God’s creation, for we are told of the devil that his “heart was lifted up” because of his own “beauty” (Ezek 28:17).
 
Dear reader, consider the staggering import of these words. Here we have an “anointed cherub,” who is “full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty,” covered with “every precious stone,” and stationed “upon the holy mountain of God” (Ezek 28:12-14). Here we have a creature exalted to high office, sinless, “perfect in [his] ways” – until “iniquity was found” in him (v 15). The nature of his pride is revealed in the similar passage found in Isaiah where we learn that this “anointed cherub” said in his heart, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isa 14:12-14).
 
In a universe without sin, rebellion was born in this beautiful creature’s heart! And it was his very beauty that caused his heart to be lifted up; his very brightness that caused his wisdom to be corrupted. Thus the “covering cherub” is “cast… as profane out of the mountain of God,” and “cast… to the ground,” and brought “to ashes upon the earth” (Ezek 28:16-18).
 
We see here the terrible nature of pride. It arises from within, even in the absence of external temptation: it is a self-deception. Then also, the tendency to pride increases with privilege: the more one is gifted, the more one is prone to pride. The nature of this corruption is such that it strikes exactly where we think we are strongest, and turns that very strength into our most debilitating weakness. The greatest champion in God’s army may be turned into the greatest traitor to His cause! So it happened with the devil; and so it can happen with us, if we are not constantly on guard.  Truly, as it is written, “let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12).
 
THOUGHT: I do not need to be great to be proud ‒ I only need to think more highly of myself than I should.

PRAYER: Father, keep me humble according to Thy truth!

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