100:00:00,800 –> 00:00:11,840Are we not tired of division? Are we not tired of endless conflict, endless argument?200:00:11,840 –> 00:00:18,480The world desperately need to see something different and God says to His own children in the church,300:00:18,480 –> 00:00:22,340right here in Romans chapter 12 and verse 16. This is your calling,400:00:22,340 –> 00:00:29,840let something that is different from what we see in the world be seen in the church.500:00:29,840 –> 00:00:33,599Don’t be overcome by that evil that you see all around you.600:00:33,599 –> 00:00:37,759Welcome to Open the Bible with pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pigg.700:00:37,759 –> 00:00:44,480I’m glad you could be with us today. And Colin we’re continuing our series from Romans 12 called overcoming evil.800:00:44,480 –> 00:00:48,820And today we’ll see how humility can play a part in overcoming evil.900:00:48,820 –> 00:00:52,919Yeah, and the calling that we’re given as Christians by the Lord himself,1000:00:52,919 –> 00:00:58,000to live in harmony with one another is a wonderful thing. It doesn’t mean we’re all the same.1100:00:58,180 –> 00:01:01,180Harmony implies the bringing together of what is different.1200:01:01,180 –> 00:01:09,900But we are to live in harmony with one another. Now, that is really different in a world of conflict and division1300:01:09,900 –> 00:01:15,040that just seems to go on and on. It feels like we’re in the middle of an unending argument.1400:01:15,040 –> 00:01:17,480And of course, Christians are involved in debate as well.1500:01:17,480 –> 00:01:22,040How are we to enter into argument, especially in the public sphere?1600:01:22,040 –> 00:01:27,000We’re going to look on the programme today at some counsel from John Newton1700:01:27,099 –> 00:01:32,900who wrote the great hymn, Amazing Grace. Now he was a long time before social media.1800:01:32,900 –> 00:01:39,000But he wrote a letter to a friend who was about to engage in a public controversy1900:01:39,000 –> 00:01:45,900and gave really great wisdom about the kind of spirit that we need to have2000:01:45,900 –> 00:01:50,000if we’re going to engage in debate and disagreement with others.2100:01:50,000 –> 00:01:56,099For every person on social media and every person who ever expresses an opinion in public to other people,2200:01:56,099 –> 00:02:02,599this is really wise council, and we need to learn the ability to be full of grace2300:02:02,599 –> 00:02:06,500and truth together as our Lord Jesus Christ was and is.2400:02:06,500 –> 00:02:10,699I can’t wait. We’re in Romans chapter 12 and verse 16.2500:02:10,699 –> 00:02:16,600So join us in your Bible if you can, as we begin the message, Overcoming Evil with Humility.2600:02:16,600 –> 00:02:17,300Here’s Colin.2700:02:17,300 –> 00:02:20,300We’re continuing our series, Overcoming Evil.2800:02:20,300 –> 00:02:23,699And today we’re looking at Overcoming Evil with Humility,2900:02:23,699 –> 00:02:31,600but our focuses on this one verse today. Romans chapter 12 and verse 16.3000:02:31,600 –> 00:02:33,800Where we read live in harmony with one another3100:02:34,600 –> 00:02:42,600do not be haughty but associate with the lowly.3200:02:42,600 –> 00:02:48,399Never be wise in your own sight.3300:02:48,399 –> 00:02:51,300I don’t think there could be a simpler verse of scripture3400:02:51,300 –> 00:02:57,300than the one that is before us today, live in harmony with one another.3500:02:57,300 –> 00:03:03,000Harmony, as all the musicians know is a pleasing arrangement of different parts.3600:03:03,100 –> 00:03:03,899You get harmony3700:03:03,899 –> 00:03:06,899when different notes are brought together in such a way3800:03:06,899 –> 00:03:09,899that the enrich and complement each other.3900:03:09,899 –> 00:03:12,800That’s what harmony is. Harmony isn’t unison.4000:03:13,500 –> 00:03:16,500You don’t get harmony by everyone playing the same note.4100:03:16,500 –> 00:03:18,699So harmony doesn’t mean everyone thinks the same,4200:03:18,699 –> 00:03:21,699everyone does the same or everyone is the same.4300:03:21,699 –> 00:03:26,000Harmony is not unison, harmony is not discord.4400:03:26,000 –> 00:03:29,300Discord is when notes are brought together in such a way4500:03:29,600 –> 00:03:36,160that one note diminishes or distorts another.4600:03:36,160 –> 00:03:37,100Live in harmony with one another.4700:03:37,100 –> 00:03:41,000What that means is live in such a way that your togetherness4800:03:41,000 –> 00:03:45,000brings a greater richness, that you complement each other.4900:03:45,000 –> 00:03:47,699Remember that being joined together you are more than5000:03:47,699 –> 00:03:49,899any of you could be on your own.5100:03:49,899 –> 00:03:52,000That is what God is saying to us when He5200:03:52,000 –> 00:03:55,100says, live in harmony with one another.5300:03:56,300 –> 00:04:02,600Now there is a display of great beauty that takes place.5400:04:02,600 –> 00:04:05,380That’s I think the point of this word harmony.5500:04:05,380 –> 00:04:09,679That’s something beautiful, something wonderfully rich,5600:04:09,880 –> 00:04:15,179where you take what is distinct and distinct notes5700:04:15,179 –> 00:04:17,779enriching one another add a beauty and5800:04:17,779 –> 00:04:19,480a resonance to the sound.5900:04:19,480 –> 00:04:21,679The notes are more than they would be on their own6000:04:21,679 –> 00:04:24,279when they are played together in harmony.6100:04:24,279 –> 00:04:28,959And think how beautifully we see this in the6200:04:28,959 –> 00:04:31,359gift of marriage that God has given to us.6300:04:31,359 –> 00:04:33,459For example, what happens there?6400:04:33,459 –> 00:04:35,459At the heart of marriage God makes the man,6500:04:35,459 –> 00:04:37,579God makes the woman, they are different.6600:04:37,760 –> 00:04:40,760God brings these two that are different together6700:04:40,760 –> 00:04:43,980in such a way that making them one6800:04:43,980 –> 00:04:46,679they enrich each other, they complement each other,6900:04:46,679 –> 00:04:47,899they are more together than7000:04:47,899 –> 00:04:50,779either of them would be apart.7100:04:51,679 –> 00:04:53,679Think about this at least in one sense7200:04:53,679 –> 00:04:56,980in regards to the very nature of God himself.7300:04:56,980 –> 00:04:58,480There is one God.7400:04:58,480 –> 00:05:01,079He is father, he is son, he is holy spirit,7500:05:01,079 –> 00:05:02,779he is one in nature,7600:05:02,779 –> 00:05:03,959he is one in purpose,7700:05:03,959 –> 00:05:05,899and he is one in love,7800:05:06,279 –> 00:05:08,220and there is a beauty, there is a glory,7900:05:08,220 –> 00:05:11,440there is a peace, there is a blessing,8000:05:11,440 –> 00:05:13,799there is a richness that we see8100:05:13,799 –> 00:05:17,640in God the harmony of father, son,8200:05:17,640 –> 00:05:20,160and holy spirit in this one person8300:05:20,160 –> 00:05:23,480and the beauty that flows therefore from God.8400:05:23,480 –> 00:05:25,440And now what we have in front of us8500:05:25,440 –> 00:05:27,279in this wonderful verse8600:05:27,279 –> 00:05:29,399is that God speaks to us about this8700:05:29,399 –> 00:05:31,579in regards to his church.8800:05:31,579 –> 00:05:34,739He says, live in harmony with one another,8900:05:34,739 –> 00:05:35,679with one another.9000:05:36,380 –> 00:05:37,640And clearly the one another here9100:05:37,640 –> 00:05:41,679are Christian brothers and sisters,9200:05:41,679 –> 00:05:45,839redeemed in Christ, brought together in the family of God9300:05:45,839 –> 00:05:47,640and what God says to us here then9400:05:47,640 –> 00:05:51,619is live together in such a way9500:05:51,619 –> 00:05:53,720that your lives are enriching,9600:05:53,720 –> 00:05:55,399complimenting one another,9700:05:55,399 –> 00:06:00,200being more than any of you could be on your own.9800:06:01,559 –> 00:06:05,000Now, is there anything that our country9900:06:05,079 –> 00:06:07,119and indeed our world needs more desperately10000:06:07,119 –> 00:06:08,359than this at this time?10100:06:10,000 –> 00:06:12,839I mean, are we not tired of polarization?10200:06:14,079 –> 00:06:16,079Are we not tired of division?10300:06:16,959 –> 00:06:21,079Are we not tired of endless conflict, endless argument?10400:06:22,359 –> 00:06:25,880The world desperately needs to see something different10500:06:25,880 –> 00:06:29,000and God says to his own children in the church,10600:06:29,000 –> 00:06:31,519right here in Romans 12 verse 16,10700:06:31,600 –> 00:06:32,880this is your calling.10800:06:33,760 –> 00:06:36,660Let’s something that is different10900:06:36,660 –> 00:06:38,959from what we see in the world11000:06:38,959 –> 00:06:40,359be seen in the church.11100:06:40,359 –> 00:06:43,540Don’t be overcome by that evil that you see all around you,11200:06:44,640 –> 00:06:48,119but instead overcome evil with good.11300:06:48,119 –> 00:06:50,600So this is very simple what’s before us11400:06:50,600 –> 00:06:53,660and the obvious question then is what stops us.11500:06:53,660 –> 00:06:56,899Here is the command of God, everyone can understand it,11600:06:56,899 –> 00:06:59,140doesn’t take a minute to explain it,11700:06:59,380 –> 00:07:02,660so when the command is so crystal clear,11800:07:02,660 –> 00:07:04,260live in harmony with one another,11900:07:04,260 –> 00:07:05,660what is it that holds us back,12000:07:05,660 –> 00:07:08,260why is it that we even in the church of Jesus Christ12100:07:08,260 –> 00:07:12,100find it so difficult to do this very simple12200:07:12,100 –> 00:07:13,760and this very obvious thing12300:07:13,760 –> 00:07:16,279and there is a one word answer to that question,12400:07:16,279 –> 00:07:17,679why do we find it so hard.12500:07:18,720 –> 00:07:22,980And the answer is the single word pride12600:07:22,980 –> 00:07:25,519and it is right here in this verse,12700:07:25,519 –> 00:07:27,720do not be haughty.12800:07:27,720 –> 00:07:29,200That’s what holds us back.12900:07:30,420 –> 00:07:32,380But associate with the lowly,13000:07:33,320 –> 00:07:37,880never be wise in your own eyes.13100:07:37,880 –> 00:07:39,200So that’s why the title today13200:07:39,200 –> 00:07:42,260is overcoming evil with humility.13300:07:43,579 –> 00:07:46,920Now I want you to notice from this verse13400:07:46,920 –> 00:07:50,799that pride really has two expressions13500:07:50,799 –> 00:07:52,739and they will be our focus today.13600:07:53,679 –> 00:07:55,760The first I’m calling arrogance13700:07:55,799 –> 00:07:58,220and here we’re focusing on the first of these lines.13800:07:58,220 –> 00:08:01,160Do not be haughty.13900:08:01,160 –> 00:08:03,299And I think arrogance captures that14000:08:03,299 –> 00:08:06,679because to be haughty is simply to think of yourself14100:08:06,679 –> 00:08:08,480as being better than others.14200:08:08,480 –> 00:08:11,000It’s to look down on other people14300:08:11,000 –> 00:08:13,279because you think that you are superior14400:08:13,279 –> 00:08:15,920in your intellect or in your lifestyle14500:08:15,920 –> 00:08:18,279or in your achievements or whatever.14600:08:19,920 –> 00:08:22,679And it is easy of course for us to get the idea14700:08:22,679 –> 00:08:24,760that this pride is no big deal.14800:08:24,760 –> 00:08:28,959I mean hey, what’s wrong with a little bit of swagger?14900:08:28,959 –> 00:08:32,159Well see, here’s the thing.15000:08:32,159 –> 00:08:35,679Pride is the original sin15100:08:36,820 –> 00:08:41,679and it is actually at the root of all other sins.15200:08:41,679 –> 00:08:44,239And so if you check this out in Proverbs15300:08:44,239 –> 00:08:47,080in chapter six and verse 16.15400:08:47,080 –> 00:08:48,239A remarkable verse.15500:08:48,239 –> 00:08:51,000Proverbs six and verse 16 where we’re told15600:08:51,000 –> 00:08:54,359there are six things that God hates15700:08:54,359 –> 00:08:58,200and then seven things that are an abomination to him.15800:08:58,200 –> 00:09:00,679It’s a formula that’s often used in the Proverbs.15900:09:01,719 –> 00:09:03,880And what is number one in the list16000:09:03,880 –> 00:09:07,940of things that God hates and are an abomination to him?16100:09:07,940 –> 00:09:12,239Number one, haughty eyes.16200:09:12,239 –> 00:09:15,059Exactly what we have here, haughty eyes.16300:09:15,059 –> 00:09:16,799And the reason for that of course16400:09:16,799 –> 00:09:18,280is that when you read through the rest16500:09:18,280 –> 00:09:20,659of the things that God hates,16600:09:20,659 –> 00:09:23,320it’s actually pride that’s at the root of them.16700:09:23,320 –> 00:09:26,359The next one is a lying tongue.16800:09:26,359 –> 00:09:29,460Well, you see, why do people tell lies?16900:09:29,460 –> 00:09:31,239They tell lies because we want people17000:09:31,239 –> 00:09:32,479to think we’re better than we are.17100:09:32,479 –> 00:09:35,119It’s pride that’s at the root of that.17200:09:35,119 –> 00:09:39,359And then the next one is the shedding of innocent blood,17300:09:39,359 –> 00:09:41,280murder, the taking of another life.17400:09:41,280 –> 00:09:43,919Why would someone take another human life?17500:09:43,919 –> 00:09:46,599Because they think their own life is of more value17600:09:46,599 –> 00:09:48,880or their own interests17700:09:48,880 –> 00:09:51,840are of more value than another life.17800:09:51,840 –> 00:09:52,679And what is that?17900:09:52,679 –> 00:09:53,739That is pride.18000:09:55,179 –> 00:09:58,659So when we come to this do not be haughty,18100:09:59,599 –> 00:10:03,000we are coming to something that is foundational18200:10:03,840 –> 00:10:08,640to the character of a true Christian.18300:10:08,640 –> 00:10:11,239You’re listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith,18400:10:11,239 –> 00:10:13,719and we’re pausing briefly here just to remind you18500:10:13,719 –> 00:10:17,320that if you ever miss part of our series Overcoming Evil,18600:10:17,320 –> 00:10:19,719you can always go back and listen again online18700:10:19,859 –> 00:10:24,020at our website openthebible.org.uk.18800:10:24,020 –> 00:10:25,099Back to The Message now,18900:10:25,099 –> 00:10:28,479we’re in Romans chapter 12 and verse 16.19000:10:28,479 –> 00:10:29,659Here’s Colin.19100:10:29,659 –> 00:10:32,799When we come to this do not be haughty,19200:10:33,659 –> 00:10:37,859we are coming to something that is foundational19300:10:37,859 –> 00:10:41,799to the character of a true Christian.19400:10:41,799 –> 00:10:44,020And I want to apply this,19500:10:44,020 –> 00:10:46,159not looking down on other people,19600:10:47,039 –> 00:10:50,780not thinking yourselves superior.19700:10:50,780 –> 00:10:53,059I want to apply this particularly today,19800:10:53,059 –> 00:10:55,500most of the message today is application,19900:10:55,500 –> 00:10:59,500in regard to the way that we speak to each other20000:10:59,500 –> 00:11:03,619or speak about each other especially when we disagree.20100:11:05,880 –> 00:11:10,640Now there is a fascinating letter written by John Newton20200:11:10,640 –> 00:11:13,119who’s famous of course for having composed20300:11:13,119 –> 00:11:16,140the hymn Amazing Grace.20400:11:16,419 –> 00:11:21,419And John Newton wrote a letter to a friend of his20500:11:21,659 –> 00:11:25,020who was about to take up his pen to engage20600:11:25,020 –> 00:11:28,260in some public disputation or argument20700:11:28,260 –> 00:11:30,500with another person.20800:11:30,500 –> 00:11:34,760And Newton wrote to this friend20900:11:34,760 –> 00:11:39,760to warn him about the spiritual dangers21000:11:40,479 –> 00:11:44,119of engaging in public controversy.21100:11:44,119 –> 00:11:45,299So here’s a Christian man21200:11:45,419 –> 00:11:47,799and he’s gonna get going on some subject21300:11:47,799 –> 00:11:50,640in which he strongly disagrees with someone else21400:11:50,640 –> 00:11:53,419and Newton says now okay there’s a time and a place21500:11:53,419 –> 00:11:55,599for doing this and he commends him for doing it21600:11:55,599 –> 00:11:57,599but he says as you go about this21700:11:57,599 –> 00:12:00,539I want you to be very aware of the spiritual dangers21800:12:00,539 –> 00:12:03,659that are on the path that you are about to tread.21900:12:04,880 –> 00:12:07,219Now before I read to you some of his advice22000:12:07,219 –> 00:12:09,320and counsel to this man,22100:12:09,320 –> 00:12:12,940let me just point out that of course in those days22200:12:12,940 –> 00:12:14,780there were only a very few people22300:12:15,380 –> 00:12:17,900who actually had a public platform22400:12:17,900 –> 00:12:22,599on which they could engage in public controversy22500:12:22,599 –> 00:12:24,719but social media as we all know22600:12:24,719 –> 00:12:28,619has completely changed all of that in our time.22700:12:28,619 –> 00:12:32,419Now we live in an age where every single one of us22800:12:32,419 –> 00:12:35,859has a public platform and an opportunity22900:12:35,859 –> 00:12:39,460to post before the world if they care to look.23000:12:39,460 –> 00:12:44,299Our particular opinions, our agreements with others23100:12:44,380 –> 00:12:48,380and sometimes our very strong disagreements with others23200:12:49,780 –> 00:12:52,859and candidly looking at comments often23300:12:52,859 –> 00:12:58,539even on Christian sites is not encouraging23400:12:58,539 –> 00:12:59,380with regards to the grace of humility23500:12:59,380 –> 00:13:01,119even amongst God’s people.23600:13:02,039 –> 00:13:03,239Always remember that though23700:13:03,239 –> 00:13:05,380you can post something behind a screen name,23800:13:05,380 –> 00:13:09,380God knows every face that is behind every screen name.23900:13:10,619 –> 00:13:12,799So social media has become a platform24000:13:12,799 –> 00:13:14,479on which not only our opinions24100:13:14,479 –> 00:13:19,419but also our pride is very often displayed and exposed.24200:13:19,419 –> 00:13:22,200And therefore I want us to hear Newton’s words24300:13:22,200 –> 00:13:23,059in that regard.24400:13:23,059 –> 00:13:24,500You keep this in mind24500:13:24,500 –> 00:13:26,219before you stick anything out in public,24600:13:26,219 –> 00:13:27,700before you speak anything24700:13:27,700 –> 00:13:31,119in regards to controversy in public.24800:13:31,119 –> 00:13:33,059Here’s what Newton says to his friend.24900:13:33,059 –> 00:13:34,859Dear sir, certain formality25000:13:34,859 –> 00:13:36,599when you’re writing to your friend,25100:13:37,539 –> 00:13:40,539As you are likely to be engaged in controversy25200:13:41,520 –> 00:13:44,059and your love of truth25300:13:44,059 –> 00:13:48,239is joined to a natural warmth of temper.25400:13:48,239 –> 00:13:49,200I love that.25500:13:49,200 –> 00:13:50,039You know?25600:13:50,039 –> 00:13:52,260Hey my friend, I know you.25700:13:52,260 –> 00:13:53,739You love the truth25800:13:53,739 –> 00:13:56,580but you can also get pretty steamed up sometimes25900:13:56,580 –> 00:13:58,500when you’re speaking and you’re writing about it.26000:13:58,500 –> 00:14:02,140Your love of truth is joined to a certain warmth,26100:14:02,140 –> 00:14:04,440natural warmth of temper.26200:14:04,440 –> 00:14:05,619My friendship, he says26300:14:05,619 –> 00:14:07,859makes me solicitous on your behalf.26400:14:07,859 –> 00:14:09,859You are off the strongest side.26500:14:10,260 –> 00:14:11,419In other words, Newton is saying26600:14:11,419 –> 00:14:12,539I absolutely agree.26700:14:12,539 –> 00:14:14,320You’re on the right side of this argument.26800:14:14,320 –> 00:14:15,820You’re on the strongest side26900:14:15,820 –> 00:14:18,099for truth is great and truth must prevail27000:14:18,099 –> 00:14:22,780but I would have you more than a conqueror27100:14:24,179 –> 00:14:27,260and to triumph not only over your adversary27200:14:27,260 –> 00:14:28,880but also over yourself.27300:14:30,580 –> 00:14:32,020Then he has a number of points27400:14:32,020 –> 00:14:33,460of which I’ll pick up just two.27500:14:33,460 –> 00:14:35,919The first is consider your opponent.27600:14:37,099 –> 00:14:39,659I wish that before you set pen to paper27700:14:39,659 –> 00:14:43,219against him and during the whole time27800:14:43,219 –> 00:14:44,760that you are preparing your answer27900:14:44,760 –> 00:14:46,840you may commend him by earnest prayer28000:14:46,840 –> 00:14:49,299to the Lord’s teaching and to the Lord’s blessing.28100:14:50,919 –> 00:14:53,219This practice will have a direct tendency28200:14:53,219 –> 00:14:56,739to conciliate your heart to love and to pity him28300:14:56,739 –> 00:14:59,539and such disposition will have a good influence28400:14:59,539 –> 00:15:01,359on every page you write.28500:15:03,479 –> 00:15:05,460If you count him a believer28600:15:05,460 –> 00:15:07,039even though greatly mistaken28700:15:07,039 –> 00:15:08,940and the subject of debate between you28800:15:08,979 –> 00:15:11,979remember the Lord loves him28900:15:11,979 –> 00:15:14,479and you must therefore not despise him29000:15:14,479 –> 00:15:16,020or treat him harshly.29100:15:17,419 –> 00:15:19,880But if you look upon him as unconverted29200:15:19,880 –> 00:15:21,859you say, well I’m arguing against someone29300:15:21,859 –> 00:15:23,799who’s not the Lord’s at all.29400:15:23,799 –> 00:15:26,580If you look upon him as an unconverted person29500:15:26,580 –> 00:15:30,780he is more properly the object of your compassion29600:15:30,780 –> 00:15:32,340than of your anger.29700:15:32,340 –> 00:15:34,599Alas, he does not know what he does.29800:15:36,599 –> 00:15:37,599I think we should send this29900:15:37,700 –> 00:15:39,080to the folks who run Network News30000:15:39,080 –> 00:15:42,000say, read John Newton before every guest appears30100:15:42,000 –> 00:15:43,400on one of your shows though.30200:15:46,299 –> 00:15:48,359Later he says, consider yourself.30300:15:49,559 –> 00:15:51,719For this reason, he says we, that’s Newton30400:15:51,719 –> 00:15:54,679find very few writers of controversy30500:15:54,679 –> 00:15:58,700who have not manifestly or obviously been hurt by it.30600:15:59,880 –> 00:16:01,760And here’s how Newton says,30700:16:01,760 –> 00:16:04,020the writers of controversy hurt themselves30800:16:04,020 –> 00:16:05,080by their own practice.30900:16:05,080 –> 00:16:08,799He says, either A, they grow in a sense31000:16:08,799 –> 00:16:10,239of their own importance31100:16:11,479 –> 00:16:15,719or B, they imbibe an angry and contentious spirit31200:16:16,880 –> 00:16:19,239or C, without realizing it31300:16:19,239 –> 00:16:21,440they withdraw their attention from those things31400:16:21,440 –> 00:16:23,419that are the food of a life of faith31500:16:23,419 –> 00:16:25,239and spend their time and their strength31600:16:25,239 –> 00:16:28,260upon matters which are at most of secondary value.31700:16:29,380 –> 00:16:30,919So Newton says, these are the three things31800:16:30,919 –> 00:16:34,080that I see of folks who give themselves to controversy31900:16:34,080 –> 00:16:35,700and engage in it.32000:16:37,479 –> 00:16:38,820And then he has this,32100:16:39,719 –> 00:16:41,440what will it profit a man32200:16:42,320 –> 00:16:46,080if he gains his cause and silences his adversary32300:16:46,080 –> 00:16:48,679if at the same time he loses32400:16:48,679 –> 00:16:51,200that humble tender frame of spirit32500:16:51,200 –> 00:16:53,099in which the Lord delights32600:16:53,099 –> 00:16:56,000and to which the promise of his presence is made?32700:16:57,599 –> 00:16:59,059And he’s thinking they’re surely32800:16:59,059 –> 00:17:01,559of Isaiah chapter 57 and verse 1532900:17:01,559 –> 00:17:03,039where we were told this,33000:17:03,039 –> 00:17:05,920that God dwells, God dwells in two places,33100:17:05,920 –> 00:17:07,959I, the Lord, dwell in a high and a holy place33200:17:07,959 –> 00:17:09,300and where else does God dwell?33300:17:09,300 –> 00:17:12,880He dwells with the contrite and the humble spirit.33400:17:12,880 –> 00:17:15,000Now again, Newton is not saying to his friend,33500:17:15,000 –> 00:17:16,400don’t engage in controversy,33600:17:16,400 –> 00:17:19,140saying there’s a place where this has to be done.33700:17:19,140 –> 00:17:21,060But where you are doing this,33800:17:21,060 –> 00:17:23,599you need to be aware of the spiritual dangers33900:17:23,599 –> 00:17:25,839that beset the path that you are on34000:17:25,839 –> 00:17:27,239and here’s where they are34100:17:27,239 –> 00:17:28,900and here’s how you address them.34200:17:29,900 –> 00:17:32,900Do not be haughty.34300:17:34,199 –> 00:17:37,599Remember when you are tempted to look down on others34400:17:37,599 –> 00:17:40,079with this sense of superiority,34500:17:40,079 –> 00:17:43,979God hates pride and he will destroy it.34600:17:43,979 –> 00:17:48,180Pride goes before destruction, the proverb says34700:17:48,180 –> 00:17:52,300and a haughty spirit, what’s after a haughty spirit?34800:17:52,300 –> 00:17:54,719What comes next is a fall34900:17:55,699 –> 00:17:57,699for God opposes the proud,35000:17:57,699 –> 00:18:00,260as we read, heard read a few moments ago,35100:18:00,260 –> 00:18:03,400but he gives grace to the humble.35200:18:04,760 –> 00:18:05,959Isaiah, in chapter two,35300:18:05,959 –> 00:18:08,959the haughtiness of man shall be humbled35400:18:08,959 –> 00:18:11,939and the lofty pride of man shall be brought low35500:18:11,939 –> 00:18:15,060for the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.35600:18:16,140 –> 00:18:17,119Do not be haughty.35700:18:18,239 –> 00:18:22,459What might make you feel superior to others?35800:18:23,979 –> 00:18:25,800You’ve got a great mind.35900:18:26,800 –> 00:18:29,599You’ve earned a lot of money.36000:18:31,380 –> 00:18:33,520You have great business success.36100:18:33,520 –> 00:18:36,640You have a believing, wonderful extended family.36200:18:38,140 –> 00:18:39,420Do not be haughty.36300:18:40,619 –> 00:18:43,479What do you have that you did not receive?36400:18:45,079 –> 00:18:50,079Give to the Lord the glory that is due to his name.36500:18:51,140 –> 00:18:53,800Now, that’s the first thing, here’s the second.36600:18:53,800 –> 00:18:56,959Pride has two expressions.36700:18:56,959 –> 00:18:59,040The first is arrogance.36800:18:59,040 –> 00:19:02,439Haughtiness, in which we think more highly36900:19:02,439 –> 00:19:04,959of ourselves than others.37000:19:04,959 –> 00:19:07,319Think yourself better than others.37100:19:07,319 –> 00:19:09,439The second, and I thought very carefully about this,37200:19:09,439 –> 00:19:13,300I’m going to call independence, independence.37300:19:13,300 –> 00:19:16,040And I’m looking here especially at the last line37400:19:16,040 –> 00:19:20,699in verse 16, never be wise in your own sight.37500:19:21,660 –> 00:19:23,479Now I thought very carefully37600:19:23,479 –> 00:19:24,939about using the word independence37700:19:24,939 –> 00:19:27,140because candidly it’s a word that I like.37800:19:28,640 –> 00:19:31,479And many of us our first instinct will be37900:19:31,479 –> 00:19:33,939to want to defend that word.38000:19:35,060 –> 00:19:38,900We don’t want to be dependent on others.38100:19:38,900 –> 00:19:42,900We want to be those who stand on our own two feet.38200:19:42,900 –> 00:19:46,699And that sense of individual responsibility38300:19:46,699 –> 00:19:51,699is surely right and is surely honoring to God.38400:19:53,760 –> 00:19:57,119But having recognized that let’s now listen38500:19:57,119 –> 00:19:59,420to what the scripture is saying to us here.38600:19:59,420 –> 00:20:03,800Never be wise in your own sight.38700:20:05,319 –> 00:20:07,060Now you see the man or the woman who is38800:20:07,060 –> 00:20:10,359wise in his or her own sight is the person38900:20:10,359 –> 00:20:12,359who feels that they have all that39000:20:12,359 –> 00:20:16,119they need in him or herself.39100:20:17,699 –> 00:20:19,239He’s the person who doesn’t feel39200:20:19,239 –> 00:20:21,939any need to listen to others.39300:20:21,939 –> 00:20:22,780Why?39400:20:22,780 –> 00:20:24,160Because the way he sees it39500:20:24,160 –> 00:20:27,400is that he already has all the wisely that he needs39600:20:27,400 –> 00:20:30,420for everything in life in and of himself.39700:20:32,000 –> 00:20:34,160So I’m saying to you today that there are39800:20:34,160 –> 00:20:36,520two manifestations of pride and that39900:20:36,520 –> 00:20:38,859these are pride and these are the things40000:20:38,859 –> 00:20:41,520that keep us from living in harmony,40100:20:42,380 –> 00:20:44,579which is our great calling in this verse.40200:20:45,420 –> 00:20:47,760One manifestation of pride is to think40300:20:47,760 –> 00:20:49,280that we are better than others.40400:20:49,280 –> 00:20:50,800The other manifestation of pride40500:20:50,800 –> 00:20:52,839is to think that we don’t need others.40600:20:54,319 –> 00:20:55,719And, of course, Paul talks about this40700:20:55,719 –> 00:20:57,420in First Corinthians, doesn’t he,40800:20:57,420 –> 00:21:00,219where he has that wonderful analogy40900:21:00,219 –> 00:21:03,619of the church being like a body41000:21:03,619 –> 00:21:05,459in which each of the parts of the body41100:21:05,459 –> 00:21:07,000are brought together to function.41200:21:07,000 –> 00:21:09,579You see how that is very similar to what’s said41300:21:09,579 –> 00:21:12,339in regards to different notes on the musical scale41400:21:12,920 –> 00:21:14,579and being played together in harmony.41500:21:14,579 –> 00:21:16,619It’s the same point that’s being made41600:21:16,619 –> 00:21:18,739in these different illustrations.41700:21:18,739 –> 00:21:20,579But you remember when Paul speaks41800:21:20,579 –> 00:21:23,300about the body of Christ,41900:21:23,300 –> 00:21:28,300he says the eye cannot say to the hand,42000:21:28,339 –> 00:21:30,719I have no need of you.42100:21:32,079 –> 00:21:36,959And the head cannot say to the feet,42200:21:36,959 –> 00:21:38,380I have no need of you.42300:21:38,380 –> 00:21:40,660I suspect that why he chose the head42400:21:40,839 –> 00:21:44,319is that the head has such a critical function42500:21:44,319 –> 00:21:45,359in regards to the body.42600:21:45,359 –> 00:21:48,660I mean, think of the importance of the head.42700:21:50,359 –> 00:21:52,579But how foolish it would be for the head to say,42800:21:52,579 –> 00:21:54,079I don’t need the feet.42900:21:55,459 –> 00:21:58,260And what is the head apart from the rest of the body?43000:21:58,260 –> 00:21:59,339Cannot function.43100:22:01,300 –> 00:22:03,619But you see, the proud person43200:22:03,619 –> 00:22:06,060is the one who thinks in his or her heart.43300:22:06,060 –> 00:22:08,939Now, I have all that I need in myself.43400:22:09,839 –> 00:22:12,219I make my own decisions.43500:22:12,219 –> 00:22:14,280I run my own life.43600:22:14,280 –> 00:22:16,500I’m a Christian, why do I need43700:22:16,500 –> 00:22:18,199to be a member of the Church?43800:22:19,420 –> 00:22:20,859You see, there’s a lot of that about it43900:22:20,859 –> 00:22:22,699in the Christian world, isn’t there?44000:22:23,979 –> 00:22:26,540God guides me, I pray and I believe.44100:22:28,939 –> 00:22:32,420Never be wise in your own eyes.44200:22:32,420 –> 00:22:34,380Never get the idea that you have44300:22:34,380 –> 00:22:36,520everything you need in yourself.44400:22:37,280 –> 00:22:39,400Apart from both the provision44500:22:39,400 –> 00:22:42,040and the calling that God has made to you44600:22:43,760 –> 00:22:46,880in regards to your brothers and sisters44700:22:46,880 –> 00:22:49,239and Christ, live in harmony with one another.44800:22:50,239 –> 00:22:51,780That’s what He’s saying.44900:22:51,780 –> 00:22:54,140You’ve been listening to Pastor Colin Smith45000:22:54,140 –> 00:22:55,500on Open the Bible,45100:22:55,500 –> 00:22:59,119and the message called Overcoming Evil with Humility45200:22:59,119 –> 00:23:00,359and I hope you will stay with us45300:23:00,359 –> 00:23:01,859for tomorrow’s broadcast45400:23:01,859 –> 00:23:03,219which will remind you45500:23:03,219 –> 00:23:05,560what you can expect if you open your Bible45600:23:05,619 –> 00:23:07,420with a truly humble heart.45700:23:07,420 –> 00:23:10,119Don’t forget if you ever miss one of our broadcasts45800:23:10,119 –> 00:23:11,959or if you want to go back and listen again45900:23:11,959 –> 00:23:13,900you can find them on our website46000:23:13,900 –> 00:23:17,359that’s at openthebible.org.uk46100:23:17,359 –> 00:23:19,839or on all the main podcasts sites46200:23:19,839 –> 00:23:22,479search for open the bible UK.46300:23:22,479 –> 00:23:24,900Open the Bible is supported by our listeners46400:23:24,900 –> 00:23:26,359that’s people just like you46500:23:26,359 –> 00:23:27,739up and down the country.46600:23:27,739 –> 00:23:29,680If that’s something that you have not done before46700:23:29,680 –> 00:23:31,859but you’re considering starting to support46800:23:31,859 –> 00:23:33,839Open the Bible in that way46900:23:33,839 –> 00:23:35,719we have an offer for you this month.47000:23:35,719 –> 00:23:38,260If you’re able to begin a new direct debit47100:23:38,260 –> 00:23:41,199in the amount of five pounds per month or more47200:23:41,199 –> 00:23:44,219or a one off gift of 50 pounds or more47300:23:44,219 –> 00:23:46,680we’d love to say thank you by sending you47400:23:46,680 –> 00:23:49,739three copies of Pastor Colin Smith’s devotional47500:23:49,739 –> 00:23:54,739Green Pastures, Still Waters 31 days in Psalm 23.47600:23:54,800 –> 00:23:57,359Colin, what do you hope the people using this devotional47700:23:57,359 –> 00:23:59,160will take away from it?47800:23:59,160 –> 00:24:01,780Oh, well, it will fix your eyes and your mind47900:24:01,780 –> 00:24:03,099on the Lord Jesus Christ,48000:24:03,280 –> 00:24:05,640He is the Good Shepherd.48100:24:05,640 –> 00:24:08,680He is what Psalm 23 is all about48200:24:08,680 –> 00:24:12,719and to know that you have a shepherd in Christ48300:24:12,719 –> 00:24:15,060and that he is going to lead you in right paths,48400:24:15,060 –> 00:24:16,359he’s going to give you rest,48500:24:16,359 –> 00:24:19,040he’s going to restore you when you’re spent48600:24:19,040 –> 00:24:21,819and your energy is exhausted and gone,48700:24:21,819 –> 00:24:24,160he’s going to guard you, he’s going to sustain you,48800:24:24,160 –> 00:24:27,680he’s going to love you all the days of your life48900:24:27,680 –> 00:24:30,280and eventually bring you into his nearer presence.49000:24:30,280 –> 00:24:32,719I mean, a month fixing your mind and heart49100:24:32,760 –> 00:24:34,479on Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd49200:24:34,479 –> 00:24:36,400is going to renew your strength,49300:24:36,400 –> 00:24:38,640it’s going to encourage you greatly49400:24:38,640 –> 00:24:40,359and that’s what Psalm 23 does49500:24:40,359 –> 00:24:42,719and I think that’s why it’s one of the best-known49600:24:42,719 –> 00:24:45,780and best-loved chapters in all of the Bible.49700:24:45,780 –> 00:24:48,060So, that’s Pastor Colin Smith’s devotional49800:24:48,060 –> 00:24:53,060Green Pastures, Still Waters, 31 days in Psalm 2349900:24:53,339 –> 00:24:55,959and it’s our gift to you if you’re able to set up50000:24:55,959 –> 00:24:58,560a new donation to the work of Open the Bible50100:24:58,560 –> 00:25:00,599in the amount of 5 pounds per month50200:25:00,599 –> 00:25:02,040during the course of this month.50300:25:02,040 –> 00:25:07,040Full details on our website, openthebible.org.uk.50400:25:07,319 –> 00:25:09,219For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith50500:25:09,219 –> 00:25:10,579I’m David Pick50600:25:10,579 –> 00:25:12,920and I hope you’ll be able to join us again next time.50700:25:13,800 –> 00:25:15,599What do you think will happen if you50800:25:16,040 –> 00:25:18,560open your Bible with a truly humble heart?50900:25:19,079 –> 00:25:22,439Find out next time on Open the Bible.