the folly and wickedness of pride.
Who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have
that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why
do you boast as though you did not? 1 Corinthians chapter four,
verse seven. First, who makes you different
from anyone else? This question strikes at the
very root of pride. It reminds us that we are not
self-made. If we are in the least way better
than others, it is not ultimately due to our efforts or virtue,
but to the sovereign blessing of God. He ordains our birth,
abilities, opportunities, and circumstances. If we are more
gifted, more knowledgeable, or more useful than others, it is
not because we earned or deserved it. The moment we imagine that
we are inherently better, we dethrone God as the author of
all that we are and have. Pride blinds us to the fact that
every distinction between one sinner and another is the result
of God's gracious and undeserved choice. As Paul says elsewhere,
by the grace of God, I am what I am. Secondly, what do you have
that you did not receive? Pride feeds on the delusion of
self-sufficiency, but this question exposes the truth. Everything
we possess, physical health, intellectual capacity, spiritual
understanding, and every earthly or heavenly blessing has been
received. We brought nothing into this
world, and we will take nothing out. Even the faith by which
we are saved is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. If we
are saved, sanctified, and sustained, it is only because God has blessed
us. The truly humble heart acknowledges
that all is of grace and therefore gives God all the glory. To boast
in your superiority is to forget the sovereign potter and exalt
the vile clay. Who gave you health while others
waste away? Who gave you a sober mind while
others live in delusion? Who gave you the knowledge of
salvation while others grope in darkness? Surely it was not
yourself. Thirdly, and if you did receive
it, why do you boast as though you did not? Boasting is the
outward expression of inward pride. To take credit for what
we have received is to steal God's glory. It is an insult
to God and an exaltation of self. Such boasting reveals a heart
that refuses to see itself as it truly is, utterly dependent
upon God. Pride is not only foolish, it
is wicked. The proud man steals the glory
from God and exalts himself. Let us then repent of all pride
and self-esteem, whether in word or thought, and fall before the
giver of every good and perfect gift. Let us boast only in Jesus,
who humbled himself to save proud wretches like us. May his humility
silence our pride and teach us to walk gratefully before our
God. May we flee from pride as from
a deadly viper and cling instead to the cross. where the proud
are humbled by divine grace. The Lord detests all the proud
of heart. Be sure of this. They will not
go unpunished. Proverbs chapter 16 verse 5.