Spiritual Pride

Hezekiah had done everything in his power to please God, and had trusted God to deliver him from the Assyrians.  When he got sick he had prayed and God healed him, promising him fifteen more years of life.  He was able to improve great many things in the land, and because he had been so richly blessed, Hezekiah became spiritually proud of what they had accomplished, as II Chronicles 32:25-tells us.  “But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.  Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.”  Instead of giving God the glory, they began to take credit for what had happened because they were so spiritual.   

A common mistake Christians make is getting proud of what we are doing for God and how spiritual we are, forgetting that the accomplishments are not the result of our goodness.  Isaiah 64:6 tells us, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…”  We did not earn his blessings, he blessed us because he loved us.  We need to repent and Give God all the glory.  Hezekiah and Judah did repented, but god sent a test so that Hezekiah might realize how easily such pride can cause us problems, as II Chronicles 32:31 tells us.  “Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.”   

II Kings 20:12-13 describes what happened.  “At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.  And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and showed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah showed them not.”

It was a mark of respect for the King of Babylon to send gifts and enquire about Hezekiah’s health. Hezekiah responded by showing everything God had given him and what they had accomplished, because he was proud of them.  After all, Babylon was six hundred miles away, and was not a very important city, posing little threat at the time.   What use could they make of what he showed them?

“Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee?

And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon.

And he said, What have they seen in thine house?

And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not showed them.

And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.  Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.  And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” (II Kings 20:14-18)

While Babylon posed little threat at the time, Isaiah warned that in the future, they would conquer Judah, making slaves of Hezekiah’s descendants.  Hezekiah had just shown them all the riches they could obtain when they did come.  As we know from history Babylon destroyed Jerusalem just about a hundred thirty years later, fulfilling the prophecy.  Hezekiah had just given away all the secrets and given additional reasons for attacking Judah.  Fortunately, the Babylonians could not use the information right away. 

Hezekiah was relieved that the attack would not come in his day as II Kings 20:19 states.   Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?” 

Fat too often our spiritual pride leads us to do foolish things that may have serious repercussions.  For example, we may get the idea we can do things ourselves, and end up going against God’s word, allowing false teachers into the church so that in the future they can destroy it.   We also may unintentionally cause others to feel inferior by bragging about how God has blessed us or take the glory for ourselves, encouraging others to follow us, rather than God.   While we think the pride is spiritual, it is in fact sin.