The High Cost of Pride

Introduction:

Pride is Satan’s universal temptation invading both man and nation which often brings catastrophic consequences. In Habakkuk 2:6-20 we have an honest and upfront examination of pride. Pride is a sin that is often hard to recognize until it has latched on to us.  Pride always has a high cost. Perhaps if we completely understood the damage it does, we would do a better job of keeping ourselves clear of pride. Let’s first understand the damage it does by looking at…

I. Pride’s Victims

A.    Two things we need to understand concerning pride:

1.     Controlled by pride? You will say and do things that will hurt others.

2.     Rom. 12:17, 19-21 - Leave retribution to God.

II. The Traits of Pride

A.    2:6-8 - Greed and Ambition

1.     Look at our nation. Will it ever be satisfied?

2.     2:6b-7 – practice of piling one loan on another until no possibility of being repaid. One day the nation would be unable to pay.

3.     Pro. 30:8-9 - Must learn to trust the provisions of God.

B.    2:9-11 - Evil Scheming

1.     Due to its seemingly rich status Babylon felt secure.

2.     People today seek ways to get ahead without regard for others.

3.     Those who scheme in such a way have one that judges them.

a.     Luke 12:15-21 – Did the rich man have “genuine” security?

C.   2:12-14 - Violence

1.     Babylon brought destruction upon all she came in contact with.

a.     Violence may appear to be triumphant, but it never renders genuine success.

2.     Many people’s behavior today is controlled by pride.

3.     When one is full of pride there are no restrictions.

D.   2:15-17 - Immorality

1.     Babylon was a nation known for its excess of alcohol.

2.     Alcohol has caused many people to do things they normally wouldn’t.

a.     Pro. 20:1; 23:29-25; 1 Peter 4:3 - Drinking, excessive and socially, are condemned in Scripture.

3.     Christians must avoid the temptations such as these and focus upon the Lord and His will.

E.     2:18-19 - Idolatry

1.     Babylon was focused, not upon God, but upon themselves.

2.     Idolatry is removing God with the pre-eminent concern in your life and replacing Him with a greater concern.

3.     Mark 12:29-30 - Must seek to have God as number one in our lives.

III. Pride’s Absolute Harvest

A.    Three things that pride will reap:

1.     2:7 – Plunder;  2:10 – Shame;  2:13 - Futility

B.    2:20 - Remember God is aware of all that occurs.

Conclusion

A.    Put your trust in God and not in yourself.

B.    Humble yourself to the mighty hand of God.