Toxic: Bitterness | Overflow Church Grand Prairie, Tx | Notes
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Toxic: Bitterness

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John 3:25-31 They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified--behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!" John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.' He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

The Dangers of Pride:
1. Pride is an exaltation of self: Idolatry

Isaiah 14:12-16 “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths. Everyone there will stare at you and ask, ‘Can this be the one who shook the earth and made the kingdoms of the world tremble?


2. Pride puts us in opposition with God

James 4:4-10 (The Message) You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble." So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.

3. Pride Disconnects

You might be full of pride if….
1- You boast in your independence:
2- You compare others to “your” strengths/abilities/gifts
3- Your answer to encouragement, or correction… is often “I Know”
Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
1 Corinthians 8:1 Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.
4
- You have more answers than questions
Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
5. You think that you are deserving of reward, notoriety, position, appreciation or authority.


Laying the pride aside
1-Put others before yourself.
Philippians 2:3-5
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

2- Pursue Humility

1 Peter 5:6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.


3-Flip the glory switch

4- Nurture brokenness

2 Samuel 23:15-17 David longed for water and said, "Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!" So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD. "Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this!" he said. "Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?" And David would not drink it.


Psalms 51:16-17 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.