Pride and Humility in Proverbs

Title: Pride and Humility in Proverbs
Date: 28 August 2022
Preacher: Pastor Wilson Tan

Key Verse:
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
箴言16: 18 骄傲在败坏以先，内心高傲在跌倒之前。

1. Introduction
Recently, I have been reading various stories from the Aesop’s Fable to Elli as her bedtime story. Allow me to share one of them. I am sure you will recognize it easily.

The story is about a fox who saw a bunch of juicy ripe grapes hanging from a vine trained along the branches of a tree. The grapes were hung high and the Fox had to jump for it. But after several attempts of jumping, he was still unable to reach the grapes. Soon, he gave up and walked away scornfully. He concluded that the grapes were sour and not worth his time to get them.

So, what is the title of this story? Can someone shout it out?

Yes, it’s “The Fox and the Grapes” also known as “Sour grapes” (in Chinese: 吃不到葡萄说葡萄酸). These stories often end with a moral lesson. So, at the end of each story, we would ask, what is the moral of this story? And in this case, the Fox was too proud to acknowledge his own shortcomings, he gave up on his endeavour and failed to enjoy the juicy grapes as his reward. If only he had been more humble, he could have trained harder and maybe one day, get the fruit of his labour.

Pride was the issue at stake. Pride prevented the Fox from reaching his full potential.

In psychology, we can identify pride in its various forms: Pride as Arrogance, Self-Centeredness, Jealousy.

Let’s take a quick look at these character traits.

a) Pride as Arrogance
The Fox suffered from pride as arrogance. He thinks too highly of his own capability. And when he couldn’t get his reward, he calls it sour grapes. Not worth his effort in the first place. Someone who is arrogant would say: I'm the best, no one comes close. I'm always right. Who are you to challenge me? It’s my way or the highway. Only I can do this job well. This company…this ministry will fail without me. When they make a mistake, they would never apologise. They often find excuses to cover up their own shortfalls. Sometimes they would even put the blame on others. They would often despise and look down on those whom they think are weaker than them. Total snobs!

b) Pride as Self-Centeredness
The second common character trait of pride is self-centredness. They are always looking at things from their own perspective. A very narrow mind-set. What do I gain from doing this? Why should I do this work if it doesn’t benefit me directly. Is there a promotion for me when I complete this? They like to take the limelight. They will jump queue when no one is looking. Always fighting to be the first in line. They would say: You snooze; you lose! Each man for himself. This is a dog-eat-dog world! No place here for losers! Self-justification is common. Ethics and moral concerns are secondary to what they can gain for themselves. Totally selfish and self-centred, individualistic.

c) Pride as Jealousy
The third is pride as jealousy. When someone praise them for good work done, they would usually say: No lah! No lah! I am the worst. Many people are better than me. But in their hearts, they know they are the best! But when someone else gets praises, they become jealous of them. Why was he or she promoted instead of me? I am clearly the better candidate! False humility. Jealousy.

Wah, someone got a new coffee machine ah! A new toy… a new car… a new house…a new wife! [kidding] So jealous!

Sometimes, they can be two-faced. Nice to boss but nasty to subordinates. Sar-kar! (Three-legged) They will be the first to arrive at the office and last to leave. Love to show the boss how hardworking they are. They always like to claim credit for others' work. Total hypocrites!

2. Biblical understanding on Pride
I hope by now, you realise that we talking about pride today. The biblical teaching on pride is way more severe than that from the Aesop’s Fable. There is a warning of an imminent destruction or punishment.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 18:12
Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.

The Bible draws a strong corelation between pride and destruction, and also between humility and honor. In the Old Testament, we recall of at least three examples of this co-relation.

a) Pharaoh vs Moses (Ex. 7 – 12)
First, the conflict between Pharaoh and Moses in Exodus. Moses was called by God to bring the Hebrews out of slavery under Egyptian rule. Moses had famously told Pharaoh to “let my people go!” Ex. 10:27 tell us “…the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go” (See also Ex. 7:14). Because of pride, Pharaoh refused Moses and eventually, this led to the Ten Plagues in the whole of Egypt. The Pharaoh, not only lost many of his army men in the Red Sea, he also lost his first born son.

b) David vs Goliath (1 Sam. 17)
Next, in Sunday School, we remember well the conflict between David and Goliath. Goliath was a giant champion from Gath, a Philistine. He was believed to be about 2.38m in height. David was just a young shepherd boy, small in stature. When Goliath first saw David, he said to him, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” … “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” (1 Sam. 17:43-44). David took a stone from his bag and slung it at Goliath and struck him at his forehead. Goliath fell face down on the ground. The small shepherd boy, David, had overcome the mighty giant Goliath.

c) Saul vs David (1 Sam. 18:8-16)
The third example is a little less known: the conflict between Saul and David.

After David’s victory against Goliath, David returned home. And the crowd sang and shouted: “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” (1 Sam. 17:6). When Saul heard this, he was very angry and eyed David from that day on. The Bible tells us that “the next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul.” (1 Sa 18:10).

Huh? What did I just hear? Did God really send a harmful spirit upon Saul? Why would God do that? What does it actually mean?

Saul was in great distress for a long time and his enemies are warring against him. God has turned away from him and answer him no more, either by prophets or by dream. Saul’s heart was full of bitterness. He was jealous of David’s great victory and God’s blessing on his successor. At wits end, Saul summoned his mentor, the prophet Samuel, to ask him what to do.

1 Sam. 28:16–17.
16 And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy? 17 The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me, for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David.

God had become Saul’s enemy and had turned away from him. Saul’s pride eventually led to his own downfall.

3. A hardened heart reveals sinful pride
So, we ask the crucial question, What does it mean that God hardened Pharoah’s heart and sent a harmful spirit upon Saul?

For this question, I found Bonhoeffer’s understanding helpful. He calls it: cor curvum in se – a heart turned in upon itself. This Latin phrase was first coined by Martin Luther but have been used repeatedly by Bonhoeffer. A heart turned in upon itself is God’s way of punishing the prideful. This is the sin of Adam. The pride of humanity.

Bonhoeffer: Human beings have torn themselves loose from community with God and, therefore, also from that with other human beings, and now they stand alone, that is, in untruth. [1]

The human ego stands alone. It is now the boss of itself; instead of God. It is the sin of Adam. The ultimate sin of all humanity. C S Lewis calls pride “the essential vice, the utmost evil.” It is how the devil became the devil. He asserts that pride “leads to every other vice: It is the complete anti-God state of mind.” [2]

Of the seven sins as acknowledged by the Catholic Church, the greatest sin of Man is pride. Pride leads to a hardened heart. A heart turned in upon itself.

A hardened heart is one that no longer listens to the counsel of others. When the Bible speaks of God actively hardening Pharaoh’s heart and sending a harmful spirit upon Saul, it should not be understood literally. The hardening of heart is a metaphorical way of expressing the idea that God gives in to Man's selfish and prideful desires, allowing Man to bring destruction upon himself.

They are trapped within their own selfish desires. Their hearts were already corrupted with jealousy and bitterness. God did not make them arrogant. The biblical writers used such an expression to explain that God is still in control even though these great men went wayward. Essentially, it is God allowing the arrogant person to suffer the consequence of their own sinfulness. To phrase it in another way, Pride comes before self-destruction.

4. Humility is the remedy to pride
Wisdom literature teaches us that humility is the remedy to pride. While pride leads to one’s destruction, humility leads us to success. Humility stands in opposition to pride.

Proverbs 29:23
The arrogance of people causes them to fall; but a lowly spirit holds glory tight.

Proverbs 3:34
Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

Let us be reminded that our Lord Jesus who washes the feet of his disciples, came to serve humanity than to be served, entered Jerusalem as its meek King on a humble donkey, and gave his life for all on the cross.

Be humble like Christ. Humility is the essence of our Christian life, not pride and arrogance.

Be humble before God and also in one’s relationship with others

The myth of the self-made man or woman
It is common today to hear of the phrase: the self-made man or woman. A self-made person is one who did not inherit wealth nor power from his family and had create a successful business on their own capability. But true humility is recognising our debt to others. There is no such thing as a self-made man.

Allow me to share this short clip by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

https://youtu.be/s4_11ApT26k

When I first heard this speech by Arnold Schwarzenegger, it stuck with me for a long time. No one can truly claim to be a self-made person when we consider all the help we got throughout our lives. Our parents who sacrificed for us when we were young. Our teachers and mentors who taught us the values in life. Our friends who watched out for us when we were in trouble.

When we realise how much we are in debt to others, there is no room for pride in our lives. The consequence of pride is destruction, the reward of humility is glory.

As Proverbs remind us…

Proverbs 15:33
The fear of Yahweh is wise discipline,
and humility comes before glory.

5. Self-reflection is foundational cultivating humility
So, what is needed to cultivate humility? I believe that self-reflection is foundational to cultivating humility. To obtain a fruitful, fulfilling and flourishing life.

I have a little confession to share…I struggled quite a bit while preparing for today’s sermon. A sermon on pride and humility is not an easy topic to preach on. It wasn’t because I didn’t have enough time, or enough resources. But the message itself requires me to look inwardly.

It’s easy to tell others “Do not be arrogant” but much harder to say these words in front of a mirror. I spoke about the sinful pride of others, but how about myself? Throughout my sermon preparation, I kept asking myself, “have I been arrogant in my words and deeds?” I encourage you to be humble but am I a humble person too? Or am I just a hypocrite, portraying false humility?

For our homework today, let’s do a little self-reflection. Ask ourselves these questions. Take a photo of this list and work through it with your loved ones.

• Have anyone (maybe your spouse or your parents or children) ever told you that you are a proud person?
• Where does your pride in your work come from?
• Do you believe you are a self-made person?
• Do you find it difficult to apologise to others when you make a mistake?
• Do you claim credit for others’ work?
• Are you are a different person in front of your boss and in front of your subordinate?

It is easy to judge others; it is hard to judge oneself.

In conclusion, allow me to share two more quotes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Judging others makes us blind, but love gives us sight. When I judge, I am blind to my own evil and to the grace granted the other person.[3] [Discipleship, 172]

Whoever despises another human being will never be able to make anything of him. Nothing of what we despise in another is itself foreign to us…We must learn to regard human beings less in terms of what they do and neglect to do and more in terms of what they suffer. [4][Letters and Papers from Prison, 44-45]

We must regard each other not in terms of what they do or not do, but in terms of what they have suffered. We judge others by their covers. And not by its content inside.

We have no idea what others have suffered in their lives. What reason do we have to judge or despise them? When we judge others, we become blind to our own evil.

Singapore is snobbish.
There was a recent interview with Prof. Tommy Koh who said that “Singapore is snobbish.” [5]

He said: “We are ruled by money, so we look down on those who are poor. We are also a meritocracy, we therefore look down on people who are poorly educated. And we have become very snobbish, we look down on people who can't afford to stay in private housing.” [6]

How did you feel when you heard this? Do you agree with him? Are we snobs? Do we look down on others who are not as smart, not as rich, not as good-looking as we are?

When I first heard the interview, I felt a sense of personal attack. Who does he think he is? Is he not a Singaporean too? Maybe he is the real snob! But when I pause and reflect on his words a little more. I realise that he is right in many ways. He is not saying that there are no generous, kind or humble people in Singapore, but that collectively, we think we are better than others. Sometimes, we see the ugly side of Singaporeans in how we treat our domestic helpers and our foreign workers. I’m not saying that they are prefect and without flaws. The point is why do we feel we are superior than them? Do we not have an ugly side? Are we blind to our own evil?

During the early stages of the covid pandemic, we are always comparing the numbers of infected cases with other countries. Wah! See Europe so jialat! America also jialat! China locked down for so long! Singapore is the best! PAP forever!

I think we can afford a little more grace and humility together. One thing I learn from this pandemic is that the world is more connected with each other than ever before. When our neighbours fall, we fall too. We can close our borders, but we are also dependant on others for resources, like vaccines and masks, and now, fresh chicken produce from our neighbours! The war in Ukraine affects us too! The oil prices, the grain shortage, the threat of a nuclear war! We are more connected to each other than ever before.

Like you, I am concerned with the escalation of political tension around the world. Ukraine, Russia, Europe, America, China, Taiwan, etc. I see the potential danger of pride and arrogance among the political leaders today. A wrong move or a careless word could spark a global war! Many lives are at stake today! I pray that our world leaders will have the wisdom and humility to resolve the tension in the world peacefully.

As Proverbs tells us…

Proverbs 22:4
4 The reward for humility and fear of the LORD
is riches and honor and life.

Pride leads to destruction, humility to life. Choose humility. Choose life.

【1】Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Act and Being: Transcendental Philosophy and Ontology in Systematic Theology, ed. Hans-Richard Reuter and Wayne Whitson Floyd Jr., trans. H. Martin Rumscheidt, vol. 2, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1996), 137.
【2】C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, pp. 121-22
【3】Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 172.
【4】Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison, ed. Christian Gremmels et al., trans. Isabel Best et al., vol. 8, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2010), 44–45.
【5】https://mothership.sg/2022/08/tommy-koh-singaporeans-snobbish/
【6】Singapore is currently ranked fourth in the world’s ranking for Gross Domestic Product (GDP). GDP is a measurement of wealth generated by the country divided by the number of people. We also have one of the lowest tax-rate in the world.

Bilingual Service Video Link: https://youtu.be/Icwqr_ejWVQ