"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
This is one of the greatest sins by which the human heart is in danger of being overthrown. Says Butterworth, Pride is the master-sin, and first-born of the Devil. While the child of God remains in the valley of humiliation, he feels his own weakness, and his entire dependence alone on God; he feels he has no strength of his own, therefore his cry will be continually raised to God for help, and strength, and grace, to stand in this evil time; for he sees the dangers which surround him, and feels that his only hope and safety is in his God; his only aim will be to honor and glorify his name; the world will lose its charms; he will not be seeking its honors, he casts it behind him; for he sees by an eye of faith the better land; and the blessed hope that (if he is faithful) he will soon come in possession of, buoys up his spirits, above this dark and dreary world.
But on the other hand, as soon as one begins to be lifted up in his own eyes, he does not feel, nor see the dangers which surround him; he feels strong in himself, therefore, he does not feel the importance of so often crying to God for help; he begins to think that he is a pretty good Christian, that there is no danger of his falling away; his ways are right in his own eyes; he does not esteem others better than himself, but rather his inferiors; he thinks he understands the way, therefore, he does not feel the importance of taking heed to the word of God, of searching it as for hidden treasures; he heeds not the counsel of any, and he is left to follow the imaginations, and feelings of his own heart, until he is finally overthrown.
It was not until Nebuchadnezzar's heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, that he was deposed from his kingly throne, and his glory taken from him. Dan. v, 20. Truly those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord. Oba. 4. O let us take heed, to the admonitions contained in the Word of God; and when we think we stand take heed lest we fall. Happy is the man that feareth always, but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. Prov. xxviii, 14. We should serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling; for the Lord has promised that to this man would he look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at his word. Isa. lxvi, 9. Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us, of entering into his rest, any of us should seem to come short of it. Heb. iv, 1. The true child of God, will not be conformed to this world, but will seek to be transformed, by the renewing of his mind. To be conformed to this world I understand is to follow its fashions, in dress, or in any way, that will cause us to depart from the Word of God; for it is by that Word, that we shall be judged; and if our lives are not in accordance with it, we shall at last be weighed in the balance, and be found wanting; and a rule there laid down for us, is to adorn ourselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness, and sobriety, not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array. 1 Tim. ii, 9.
Some doubtless seek to excuse themselves for wearing gold or costly array, from the fact that they had them before they gave their hearts to God, or embraced the third angel's message; therefore it can be no harm to wear them, but this to my mind is no excuse; the Word of God is not yea, and nay, after this manner; but in him is yea and in him amen, unto the glory of God. If pride is seldom in our hearts gold, costly array, and needless ornaments, will be laid aside. We should seek to do all to the honor and glory of God. We should dress with its glory in view, and let it plainly be seen of us that we are seeking a better country, and not be mindful of the one from which we are so soon to depart, by seeking its honors or pleasures.
Our dress should be modest, neat and simple, while some are too much conformed to this world, and wear needless ornaments, others perhaps for fear of supporting pride, or being conformed to the world, do not take that care which they should, to have their clothes decent, and neat. I do praise the Lord that his Word is a standard by which we may try all of our ways and see wherein we come short.