Page 18 - Prophetic Word Newsletter Archive 2011

“PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION, AND A HAUGHTY SPIRIT BEFORE A FALL.
BETTER TO BE OF A HUMBLE SPIRIT WITH THE LOWLY…”
Prov. 16:18-19

The moral to the story of this parable in Luke 18 is this contrasting principle:

Luke 18:14

We are not given the outcome of this parable as to how God “abased” one and “exalted” the other. It is
sufficient that God states it “will” be the outcome. One thing noteworthy of the proud Pharisee’s
exaltation of himself is the comment:

“THE PHARISEE STOOD AND PRAYED THUS WITH HIMSELF,

'GOD, I THANK YOU THAT I AM NOT LIKE OTHER MEN…
EVEN AS THIS TAX COLLECTOR. ” Luke 18:11-12

He is praying “with himself”, or perhaps we could surmise “to himself.” Because of his high-minded
opinion of himself in God’s eyes, combined with his critical judgment of the despised tax collector, his
prayer goes no further than himself. God does not listen to such self-exalting prayers offered with a
haughty, self-righteous spirit that is judgmental of others deemed lesser than himself. Consider a few
passages in which God clearly states what He thinks about those who have a haughty attitude:

“THESE SIX THINGS “THE LORD “THE ONE WHO HAS “EVERYONE
THE LORD HATES, A HAUGHTY LOOK PROUD IN HEART
YES, SEVEN ARE WILL AND A PROUD IS AN ABOMINATION
DESTROY HEART,
AN ABOMINATION TO HIM: THE HOUSE OF HIM I WILL TO THE LORD;
A PROUD LOOK, NOT ENDURE.” THOUGH THEY JOIN
A LYING TONGUE, THE PROUD…” FORCES, NONE WILL
Prov 15:25 Ps 101:5 GO UNPUNISHED.”
HANDS THAT
SHED INNOCENT BLOOD, “YOU REBUKE Prov 16:5
A HEART THAT DEVISES “A PROUD AND THE PROUD --
WICKED PLANS, HAUGHTY MAN THE CURSED, “FOR YOU WILL SAVE
FEET THAT ARE SWIFT IN RUNNING -- "SCOFFER" IS WHO STRAY FROM THE HUMBLE
TO EVIL, A FALSE WITNESS HIS NAME; PEOPLE,
WHO SPEAKS LIES, HE ACTS WITH YOUR BUT WILL
AND ONE WHO SOWS DISCORD ARROGANT COMMANDMENTS.” BRING DOWN
AMONG BRETHREN.” PRIDE.”
Prov 21:24 Ps 119:21 HAUGHTY LOOKS.”
Prov 6:16-19
Ps 18:27

It is important to realize that God is addressing the proud among HIS people, not the unregenerate
who, perhaps more understandably, also reek with pride. Unless we consider the multitude of the
Scriptures in which God condemns the proud in spirit among His people, we will not see the depth of
this terrible sin, or fully realize the God-ordained curses that are the consequences of yielding to it. For
instance, note in Proverbs 16 above: “a proud look” is sandwiched in with a host of wicked deeds that
God says He not only “hates” but also are an “abomination” to Him. Ponder this well, for the word
translated as abomination is usually reserved for detestable idols (as in “the Abomination of
Desolation” Matt. 24:15)

“TOWBAH” (ABOMINATION)

“TO LOATHE, UTTER ABHORENCE, DISGUSTING, IDOLS-IDOLATRY”