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.
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.
