Pride & Humility - Lesson 5: Exalting or Humbling Yourself

Pride and Humility

Lesson 5: Exalting or Humbling Yourself

Luke 14:11 “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

EXALT

1. To raise high; to elevate.

2. To elevate in power, wealth, rank or dignity; as, to exalt one to a throne, to the chief magistracy, to a bishopric.

4. To raise with pride; to make undue pretensions to power, rank or estimation; to elevate too high or above others.

He that exalteth himself shall be abased. Luke 14. Matt.23.

"exalt." Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2015. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/scoff (25 June 2015).

The Main Points for This Lesson:

The main purpose of this series of lessons on pride and humility is to emphasize what God has shown us – that he resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. These lessons should help show what pride and humility are, how they appear in our own lives, and what the end result of each is, encouraging and exhorting us to put off pride and clothe ourselves with humility.

In the first lesson, we gave simple definitions for pride and humility. Pride is thinking more highly of ourselves than is right and true. Humility is thinking rightly of ourselves in the sight of (or in relation to) God the Father Almighty and his son Jesus Christ, our lord.

Pride and exalting yourself. Pride leads us to think that we are superior to others. We may tell ourselves that we are superior to others for many different reasons. Some think themselves superior because they have more money that others, while some think themselves superior because they live on less money than others. Some may boast in a bigger house, a better car, more toys, or more of any number of things. Some may boast of themselves because they have less things than others. Haman exalted himself, justifying this by his riches, the number of his children, his promotion in the government, and his connection to the royalty (Esther 5:11-12). The Pharisee exalted himself over the tax collector, justifying this by his freedom from certain sins, and by some of his religious practices (Luke 18:11-12). We may consider ourselves superior to others for any number of reasons. Yet, whatever the excuse for it, pride leads us to judge ourselves superior to others. It leads us to exalt ourselves, to exalt ourselves over others.

Jesus taught repeatedly that everyone that exalts themselves will be humbled. Whoever lifts themselves up, counting themselves superior to others, will be brought low. They will be humbled. Haman exalted himself as high as he could. From that great height, he began to fall. He fell to his own destruction.

Pride wants exaltation now, or at least sooner than later. It wants to be recognized as superior by others right away. Haman, in his pride, could not bear it that Mordecai did not bow down to him. Jesus spoke of hypocrites who gave alms. They did not seek the praise and reward which came from God at the proper time. Instead, they wanted praise right away, and so they gave alms in such a way that they might obtain praise from men immediately.

Humility and humbling yourself. Humility teaches us to wait, to wait for the praise and reward that God gives in the proper time (1 Peter 5:6). It teaches us that we do not need to exalt ourselves over others, and that we do not need praise or a reward right away. Humility leads us to love and serve others, no matter what their earthly status or condition. It is in humility that we understand that all men are made by one maker, and so treat all men with equal respect and honor. It is in humility that we learn to count others better than ourselves, to dwell among men as one who serves. Mordecai was a faithful servant, both of the king and of God's people. He did not seek praise or a reward for his good deeds, for his faithful service. He did not count himself superior to others, not even superior to Haman. Mordecai simply and humbly obeyed and served his God.

Jesus also taught repeatedly that everyone that humbles himself will be exalted. All those who serve faithfully, seeking, not praise from men, but praise from God, will be exalted. The humble, lowly servant, serving the least and most unimportant in the eyes of the world, are great in God's kingdom, and will be exalted at the proper time. Mordecai did not seek a great name or position for himself. He did not count himself superior to others. He was faithful to serve. God exalted him to a high position in the kingdom. The humble servant was given the position and power of Haman, the pride and powerful man in the kingdom.

Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Suggestions:

To open the lesson, pray for the teacher and the students.

Let the children know that we are now having a few lessons on pride and humility. This is important because God has said in his word, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

In this lesson, we will compare Haman and Mordecai in the book of Esther.

Let the children know that you will read a story from the book of Esther about Mordecai and Haman. As you are not reading the whole book of Esther, it may be helpful to remind the children of a few details before reading the portion for this lesson, such as how Mordecai saved the king by warning him through Esther about some men who were planning to kill the king.

Read to them the story of Haman and Mordecai in Esther 5:9-14;6:1-14. As you read, you can ask them questions about the story that help them to see pride and humility. What things did Haman boast about? (His riches, his children, his position, his invitation to the banquet.) Why was Haman so angry with Mordecai? (Haman wanted everyone to acknowledge how great he was, but Mordecai did not bow down before Haman.) When Mordecai had helped the king, had he sought a reward or sought to be exalted? (No.) Who did Haman think the king wanted to honor? (Haman.) Who did the king honor? (Mordecai.)

Read the children Luke 14:11. Ask them if this story from the book of Esther relates to this verse, and if so, how. The children will likely have some good ideas. Help them to see the Mordecai served in humility and although he was not exalted right away, in the end, God did exalt him. Haman was proud. He exalted himself, but in the end he was brought low, even to destruction.

To close the lesson, pray with the children and have all the children read the Lord's prayer together.

Stories:

Esther 5:9-14;6:-14

Esther 5:9-14 [9] Then Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart, but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he didn’t stand up nor move for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. [10] Nevertheless Haman restrained himself, and went home. There, he sent and called for his friends and Zeresh his wife. [11] Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, the multitude of his children, all the things in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. [12] Haman also said, “Yes, Esther the queen let no man come in with the king to the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow I am also invited by her together with the king. [13] Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” [14] Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on it. Then go in merrily with the king to the banquet.” This pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.

Esther 6:1-14 [1] On that night, the king couldn’t sleep. He commanded the book of records of the chronicles to be brought, and they were read to the king. [2] It was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who were doorkeepers, who had tried to lay hands on the King Ahasuerus. [3] The king said, “What honor and dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” Then the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” [4] The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had come into the outer court of the king’s house, to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. [5] The king’s servants said to him, “Behold, [] Haman stands in the court.” The king said, “Let him come in.” [6] So Haman came in. The king said to him, “What shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” Now Haman said in his heart, “Who would the king delight to honor more than myself?” [7] Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, [8] let royal clothing be brought which the king uses to wear, and the horse that the king rides on, and on the head of which a crown royal is set. [9] Let the clothing and the horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man whom the king delights to honor with them, and have him ride on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him, ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’” [10] Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry and take the clothing and the horse, as you have said, and do this for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Let nothing fail of all that you have spoken.” [11] Then Haman took the clothing and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and had him ride through the city square, and proclaimed before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!” [12] Mordecai came back to the king’s gate, but Haman hurried to his house, mourning and having his head covered. [13] Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him, but you will surely fall before him.” [14] While they were yet talking with him, the king’s eunuchs came, and hurried to bring Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

Though Mordecai had protected the king from those who would kill him, he did not seek to exalt himself through this good deed. He was a faithful, humble servant. On the other hand, Haman exalted himself. He desired to be great in the eyes of men. In Esther 6, we find a good illustration of Jesus' words, Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

More Stories and Examples:

Matthew 26:31-35,69-75 [31] Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ [32] But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.” [33] But Peter answered him, “Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble.” [34] Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” [35] Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” All of the disciples also said likewise. [69] Now Peter was sitting outside in the court, and a maid came to him, saying, “You were also with Jesus, the Galilean!” [70] But he denied it before them all, saying, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” [71] When he had gone out onto the porch, someone else saw him, and said to those who were there, “This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” [72] Again he denied it with an oath, “I don’t know the man.” [73] After a little while those who stood by came and said to Peter, “Surely you are also one of them, for your speech makes you known.” [74] Then he began to curse and to swear, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately the rooster crowed. [75] Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” He went out and wept bitterly.

Mark 10:35-45 [35] James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.” [36] He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” [37] They said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left hand, in your glory.” [38] But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” [39] They said to him, “We are able.” Jesus said to them, “You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; [40] but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared.” [41] When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant towards James and John. [42] Jesus summoned them, and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. [43] But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. [44] Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all. [45] For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Luke 18:9-14 [9] He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. [10] “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’ [13] But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Other Verses:

Psalm 131:1-3 [1] Yahweh, my heart isn’t haughty, nor my eyes lofty; nor do I concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me. [2] Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. [3] Israel, hope in Yahweh, from this time forward and forever more.

Proverbs 12:9 Better is he who is lightly esteemed, and has a servant, than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.

Proverbs 14:21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who has pity on the poor.

Proverbs 22:2 The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.

Proverbs 25:6-7 [6] Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men; [7] for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.

Proverbs 25:27 It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.

Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.

Matthew 6:1-6 [1] “Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. [2] Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. [3] But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, [4] so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. [5] “When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward. [6] But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Matthew 20:20-28 [20] Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him. [21] He said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left hand, in your Kingdom.” [22] But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to him, “We are able.” [23] He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with, but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” [24] When the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers. [25] But Jesus summoned them, and said, “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. [26] It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. [27] Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant, [28] even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 23:1-12 [1] Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, [2] saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses’ seat. [3] All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. [4] For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. [5] But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments, [6] and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, [7] the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men. [8] But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. [9] Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. [10] Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. [11] But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. [12] Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Mark 9:33-37 [33] He came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?” [34] But they were silent, for they had disputed one with another on the way about who was the greatest. [35] He sat down, and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.” [36] He took a little child, and set him in their midst. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, [37] “Whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives me, and whoever receives me, doesn’t receive me, but him who sent me.”

Luke 1:46-55 [46] Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. [47] My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, [48] for he has looked at the humble state of his handmaid. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed. [49] For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name. [50] His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him. [51] He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [52] He has put down princes from their thrones. And has exalted the lowly. [53] He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty. [54] He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy, [55] As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever.”

Luke 9:46-48 [46] There arose an argument among them about which of them was the greatest. [47] Jesus, perceiving the reasoning of their hearts, took a little child, and set him by his side, [48] and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For whoever is least among you all, this one will be great.”

Luke 14:7-11 [7] He spoke a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the best seats, and said to them, [8] “When you are invited by anyone to a marriage feast, don’t sit in the best seat, since perhaps someone more honorable than you might be invited by him, [9] and he who invited both of you would come and tell you, ‘Make room for this person.’ Then you would begin, with shame, to take the lowest place. [10] But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes, he may tell you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. [11] For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 22:23-27 [23] They began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing. [24] There arose also a contention among them, which of them was considered to be greatest. [25] He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ [26] But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. [27] For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn’t it he who sits at the table? But I am in your midst as one who serves.

John 5:43-44 [43] I have come in my Father’s name, and you don’t receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. [44] How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God?

Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits.

Philippians 2:1-11 [1] If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, [2] make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; [3] doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; [4] each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. [5] Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. [9] Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, [11] and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

On the one hand, we are told that the Lord is the maker of all men (Proverbs 22:2), with the implication that all are equal. One cannot see himself better than the other, at least not because of earthly status. On the other hand, we are counseled here to count others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). Jesus came not to be served, but to serve others, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Just so, we ought, in humility, to see ourselves as servants and others as those we ought to serve.

Titus 3:1-7 [1] Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, [2] to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men. [3] For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. [4] But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, [5] not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; [7] that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

1 Peter 5:5-7 [5] Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” [6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; [7] casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.