Luke 18:14 - Insights on Pride and Humility.
Luke 18:14 (NLT) I tell you, this sinner,
not the Pharisee, returned home justified before
God. For those who exalt themselves will be
humbled, and those who humble themselves will be
exalted.
INTRODUCTION
Context: The Parable of the Pharisee and the
Tax Collector Luke 18:9-14.
Jesus identified the contrast between the
Pharisee and the tax collector as one between pride
and humility, between those who exalt and those
who humble themselves. God will bring down the
proud and will exalt the humble. [Nelson SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
What Makes God Mad
This might surprise some people: God
isnt mad at sinners. God isnt mad at you;
Hes mad about you. He loves you.
But I would also add that God does get
angry when people who think theyre spiritual or
call themselves religious stand in the way of
others coming to believe in Him.
We find a story in the New Testament
about a man who went to the Temple to pray. He was
a tax collector, and tax collectors werent
loved a lot in those days.
Another man also went to pray, and he was
a Pharisee. The Pharisee said, I thank you,
God, that I am not like other people - cheaters,
sinners, adulterers. Im certainly not like that
tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give
you a tenth of my income (Luke 18:11-12
NLT).
In reality, I think his prayers didnt
go any higher than the ceiling, because that
wasnt a prayer to God. That was a boast.
Meanwhile, the tax collector who knew he
was a sinner simply said, O God, be merciful
to me, for I am a sinner (verse 13 NLT).
Jesus said of these two men, I tell
you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home
justified before God. For those who exalt themselves
will be humbled, and those who humble themselves
will be exalted (verse 14 NLT).
Like the tax collector, Im just a
sinner who said, Lord, forgive me. And He
did. He will do that for you, no matter what sin
youve committed. Jesus said, I am the
resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will
live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me
and believes in me will never ever die (John
11:25-26 NLT).
Jesus will give you the meaning of life
on earth, and He will give you the hope of life
beyond the grave. [Greg Laurie from Harvest
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]
COMMENTARY
The Pharisee goes up to the temple to
worship, not because he feels that he is a sinner in
need of pardon, but because he thinks himself
righteous and hopes to win commendation. His worship
he regards as an act of merit that will
recommend him to God. At the same time it will give
the people a high opinion of his piety. He hopes
to secure favor with both God and man. His
worship is prompted by self-interest.
And he is full of self-praise. He looks
it, he walks it, he prays it. Drawing apart from
others as if to say, "Come not near to me; for I am
holier than thou" (Isa. 65:5), he stands and prays
"with himself." Wholly self-satisfied, he thinks
that God and men regard him with the same
complacency.
"God, I thank thee," he says, "that I am
not as other men are, extortioners, unjust,
adulterers, or even as this publican." He judges his
character, not by the holy character of God, but by the
character of other men. His mind is turned away from
God to humanity. This is the secret of his
self-satisfaction.
He proceeds to recount his good deeds: "I
fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that
I possess." The religion of the Pharisee does
not touch the soul. He is not seeking
Godlikeness of character, a heart filled with love and
mercy. He is satisfied with a religion that has to
do only with outward life. His righteousness is
his own--the fruit of his own works--and judged
by a human standard.
Whoever trusts in himself that he is
righteous, will despise others. As the Pharisee judges
himself by other men, so he judges other men by
himself. His righteousness is estimated by theirs,
and the worse they are the more righteous by
contrast he appears. His self-righteousness leads to
accusing. "Other men" he condemns as transgressors of
God's law. Thus he is making manifest the very
spirit of Satan, the accuser of the brethren. With
this spirit it is impossible for him to enter
into communion with God. He goes down to his
house destitute of the divine blessing.
The publican had gone to the temple with
other worshipers, but he soon drew apart from them
as unworthy to unite in their devotions.
Standing afar off, he "would not lift up so much as
his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his
breast," in bitter anguish and self-abhorrence. He
felt that he had transgressed against God, that
he was sinful and polluted. He could not expect
even pity from those around him, for they looked
upon him with contempt. He knew that he had no
merit to commend him to God, and in utter
self-despair he cried, "God be merciful to me, a sinner."
He did not compare himself with others.
Overwhelmed with a sense of guilt, he stood as if alone
in God's presence. His only desire was for
pardon and peace, his only plea was the mercy of
God. And he was blessed. "I tell you," Christ
said, "this man went down to his house justified
rather than the other."
The Pharisee and the publican represent
two great classes into which those who come to
worship God are divided. Their first two
representatives are found in the first two children that
were born into the world. Cain thought himself
righteous, and he came to God with a thank offering
only. He made no confession of sin, and
acknowledged no need of mercy. But Abel came with the
blood that pointed to the Lamb of God. He came as
a sinner, confessing himself lost; his only
hope was the unmerited love of God. The Lord had
respect to his offering, but to Cain and his
offering He had not respect. The sense of need, the
recognition of our poverty and sin, is the very first
condition of acceptance with God. "Blessed are the
poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven." Matt. 5:3. COL150-3
The Pharisee thought himself righteous (see
v. 9), but God did not think so. The publican
knew himself to be a sinner (see v. 13), and this
realization opened the way for God to pronounce him
sinless"a sinner justified by divine mercy (see on v.
13). It was the attitudes of the two men toward
themselves and toward God that made the difference
The Pharisee disqualified himself from receiving
divine mercy and grace. Self-satisfaction closed
the door of his heart to the rich currents of
divine love that brought joy and peace to the
publican. The prayer of the Pharisee was unacceptable
before God, for it was not accompanied with the
incense of the merits of Jesus Christ. [SDA Bible
Commentary]
The Pharisee did not go to the temple to
pray to God but to announce to all within earshot
how good he was. The tax collector went
recognizing his sin and begging for mercy.
Self-righteousness is dangerous. It leads to pride, causes a
person to despise others, and prevents him or her
from learning anything from God. The tax
collectors prayer should be our prayer, because we all
need Gods mercy every day. Dont let pride
in your achievements cut you off from God.
[Life Application SB]
The Pharisee's righteousness has made him
contemptuous and loveless and self-centered; he prays
"with himself" and gives thanks that he is not
like other men. The praying tax collector beats
his breast in desperation, prays the prayer of
Ps.51:1, and receives the promise of Ps.51:17: "The
sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a
broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not
despise." He goes down to his house justified. The
great promise of the future (will be exalted) has
restored and renewed him even now. [Concordia SB]
The Rewards of Humility
The great evangelist Dwight L. Moody
said, I have had more trouble with D. L. Moody
than with any other man who has crossed my path.
If I can keep him right, I dont have any
trouble with other people.
We love to blame things on other people
when, in reality, the problem lies with us. We can
point fingers and complain about this person doing
that thing and that person doing another thing.
But the truth is that our own hearts arent
right.
Its no different than Adam and Eve
shifting blame in the Garden of Eden. Adam said,
It was the woman you gave me who gave me the
fruit, and I ate it. Then Eve said, The
serpent deceived me Thats why I ate it
(Genesis 3:12"13 NLT).
All too often we blame other people or
our circumstances rather than admit that were
responsible for what we do.
Jesus told a parable about two men who
went into the temple to pray. One was a sinner,
and the other was a Pharisee. The sinner would
not even lift his eyes to Heaven. Instead, he
said, O God, be merciful to me, for I am a
sinner (Luke 18:13 NLT). This guy was bad, and he
knew it.
Meanwhile, the Bible says, The
Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I
thank thee, that I am not as other men are,
extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this
publican (verse 11 KJV).
Jesus said, I tell you, this sinner,
not the Pharisee, returned home justified before
God. For those who exalt themselves will be
humbled, and those who humble themselves will be
exalted (verse 14 NLT).
The one who admitted his sin, the one who
owned it, is the one who went home justified
before God. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries;
https://www.harvestdaily.com]
ILLUSTRATION
A man was being tailgated by a
stressed-out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the
light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did
the right thing and stopped at the crosswalk,
even though he could have beaten the red light by
accelerating through the intersection. The tailgating
woman hit the horn, screaming in frustration as
she missed her chance to get through the
intersection with him.
As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a
tap on her window and looked up into the face of
a very serious police officer. The officer
ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He
took her to the police station where she was
searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a
cell.
After a couple of hours, a policeman
approached the cell and opened the door. She was
escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting
officer was waiting with her personal effects.
He said, "I'm very sorry for this
mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while
you were blowing your horn, flipping the guy off
in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at
him. I noticed the 'Choose Life' license plate
holder, the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker,
the 'Follow Me to Sunday School' bumper sticker,
and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on
the trunk...
....Naturally, I assumed you had stolen
the car." [source unknown]
CLOSING THOUGHT
We have to come to grips with our own
spiritual poverty before we can experience the riches
of a relationship with Christ. As long as we
feel self-sufficient, we will never know his
sufficiency. As long as we are satisfied with what this
world offers, we will never know the value in
living for eternal things. As long as we are
content with our own abilities, we will never
experience the power of God working through us. That's
why Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit"
(Matthew 5:3). Here in Jesus' parable, the humble tax
collector is commended because - in contrast to the
proud Pharisee who was satisfied with his own
righteousness - he recognized his own poverty of spirit,
his own sinfulness. [NIV Once A Day Bible re
Luke 18:9-14]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
I am ever so near you, hovering over your
shoulder, reading every thought. People think that
thoughts are fleeting and worthless, but yours are
precious to Me. I smile when you think lovingly of
Me. My Spirit, who lives within you, helps you
to think My thoughts. As your thinking goes, so
goes your entire being.
Let Me be your positive Focus. When you
look to Me, knowing Me as God with you, you
experience Joy. This is according to My ancient design,
when I first crafted man. Modern man seeks his
positive focus elsewhere: in sports, sensations,
acquiring new possessions. Advertising capitalizes on
the longing of people for a positive focus in
their lives. I planted that longing in human
souls, knowing that only I could fully satisfy it.
Delight yourself in Me; let Me become the Desire of
your heart. (Mat. 1:23; Psa. 37:4) [Jesus Calling
by Sarah Young]
ONE LINERS
Those who are filled with self-esteem and
self-love do not feel the need of a living, personal
union with Christ. [COL162]
To be self-emptied is the fundamental and
indispensable preparation for the reception of the grace
of God that brings salvation. [Jamieson,
Fausset, And Brown Commentary]
Let Jesus be everything to you, and He will
take you home with Him not only for a day, but
for eternity. [My Utmost for His Highest by
Oswald Chambers]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
1 Peter 5:5, 6 - Seeking Humility and
Ignoring Pride.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200402-1128.html
Proverbs 3:34 - Live for God and enjoy His
graces.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20050113-1040.html
James 4:6 - Grace Is Needed Now More Than
Ever.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200616-1112.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
