THE PIT OF PRIDE

The Sinister Seven | Pastor Daniel Norris

Text: Luke 14:7-11 (ESV)

Sinister Seven—Expose seven sinister sins that seek to steal your spiritual life and rob us of the fullness Christ desires for us. Victory over sin is not accomplished  just by what we run from, it is more who/what we are running to. 

Luke 14:7–11 (ESV) 7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Pride takes the seat. Humility trusts the Host.

1. PRIDE FIGHTS FOR A SEAT

“He noticed how they chose the places of honor.” (Luke 14:7, ESV)

Pride is so sinister because it doesn’t feel like pride, it feels justified. 

The first temptation in Genesis was not about eating fruit. It was failing to trust the Host. The temptation was to take something for yourself and become some greater…

The serpent said, “You will be like God…” (Genesis 3:5, ESV)

All sin begins with a belief in a lie.

Pride is self-Exaltation

Pride is insecurity dressed in a cheap suit.

2. PRIDE COMES WITH A HIGH PRICE

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled…” (Luke 14:11, ESV)

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18, ESV)

Pride seeks elevation but ultimately ends in humiliation.

For the believer, there are only two options: humble yourself or be humbled. – Leonard Ravenhill

Can I Pass the Pride Test?

– When someone corrects me, do I listen or immediately explain myself?

– Can I genuinely celebrate someone else when they receive what I wanted?

– Can I do something significant and be content if no one notices?

– When I am misunderstood or criticized, do I trust God with my reputation or rush to defend myself?

– When life gets difficult, is prayer my first response or my last resort?

3. HUMILITY TRUSTS THE HOST

“He who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11, ESV)

JESUS PRACTICED WHAT HE PREACHED

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Philippians 2:3–9 (ESV)

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6, ESV)

Choose Humility

1. RECEIVE

“What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7, ESV)

I am a steward, not the source.

2. REJOICE

If one member is honored, all rejoice together. 1 Corinthians 12:26 (ESV)

Pride wants to compare, humility always celebrates.

3. RELEASE

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 1 Peter 5:6 (ESV)

Just trust the host.