Acts: Go & Be Chapters 10-18Sample

What is this passage saying?

Herod was very angry with the cities of Tyre and Sidon, but they asked for peace from Herod, all their food came from Herod’s country. The John MacArthur Study Bible has great notes on the history of these port cities. Herod goes to Tyre and Sidon; he sits on his throne dressed in royal apparel and gives a speech. The people of Tyre and Sidon, appeasing the ego of Herod shout “the voice of a god and not of a man.”. Since Herod allowed the blasphemies and did not point to the Lord, the Lord executed His judgement on him. An angel of the Lord struck Herod and he was eaten to death by worms. Tony Evans points out, that in Isaiah 42:8 God says to the prophet, “I will not give my glory to another.” There is only one God and no other. Herod’s pride killed him. This man, who was created by God, breathing air that God allowed into his lungs allowed other men to praise him as a god. God’s Son Jesus died for Herod’s sins making a way for him to know God, yet his pride ruined him, to death by worms. Pride is vile and evil. The Bible is filled with warnings against the disease of pride. We must ask the Lord to rid us of our pride. Pride will distort your worldview and make us believe that we, as the clay, deserve more from the potter.

What is this passage teaching?

Pride will destroy. Pride distorts. The battle against pride must be deliberate and constant. It took years of self-obsession for Herod to think he deserved to be praised as a god. Pride grows, you don’t stumble into life-ruining pride. It festers as we feed it with our self-love. Pride can take different forms. We must be vigilant to be able to spot pride and be faithful to weed it out. We, humans, are naturally repulsed by pride in other humans. We are also naturally attracted to humble people. The Bible is clear about God’s thoughts about pride. James 4:6 “But he gives more grace. Therefore, it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” Self-exaltation is tiresome and off-putting. Humility before God as He does wonderous works in your life is the only way to live. The life of Joseph is an incredible lesson in humility. I invite you to know and learn from his story.

How do I respond?

Fight pride. Pride weighs you down and distorts your thoughts. The more you indulge in pride- the more you miss the works of grace from God in your life. Pride could invite you to tread heavily upon God’s grace. Avoid being in that position at all costs.