Nothing to Prove

Genesis 37:5–8 (NKJV)
Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. 6 So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: 7 There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. What was Joseph’s _____________ in sharing his dream? Joseph had a dream from God, but he wasn’t yet ready for the ____________ his dream required — because character must precede promotion.”

1. THE ORIGINAL SIN: PRIDE
Pride was the first sin in the universe — Satan’s attempt to rise above God. That same spirit of self-exaltation is what Scripture warns against in every believer.

Isaiah 14:12–15 (NKJV)
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.”

The Five “I Will” Statements of Pride

1. “I will ascend into heaven” — Desire for position.
2. “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God” — Desire for authority.
3. “I will sit on the mount of the congregation” — Desire for recognition and rule.
4. “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds” — Desire for glory.
5. “I will be like the Most High” — Desire for deity.

This is the heart of pride — self-exaltation and independence from God.

Pride __________ you from God’s Grace.

Definition of Pride:
Arrogance, haughtiness, self-exaltation. An attitude of superiority — showing oneself above others. Literally means “to appear above” — to think or present oneself as greater than others or even greater than God.

Pride is dangerous because it positions a person in direct _____________ to God’s nature.

1 John 2:15–16 (NKJV)
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world.

James 4:6, 10 (NKJV)
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’” Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

2. HUMILITY POSITIONS YOU FOR PROMOTION

1 Peter 5:5–6 (NKJV)
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

Definition of Humility

• Lowly in mind, modest, not rising far from the ground.
• Having a humble opinion of oneself; acknowledging one’s dependence on God.
• An inner attitude of submission and meekness before God — not self-degradation, but recognition that every good thing comes from Him.
• A conscious dependence on God and an attitude of meekness toward others.
• Choosing lowliness of heart over self-exaltation.
• It is not weakness, but strength under submission — mirroring the attitude of Christ Himself.

Matthew 23:12 (NKJV)
And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

3. PRIDE IS MAN LIFTING HIMSELF UP; HUMILITY IS GOD LIFTING YOU UP

Genesis 41:14–16 (NKJV)
Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.”

So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Joseph went from the pit to the palace because he learned _____________, not ________________.

Philippians 2:5–10 (NKJV)
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death — even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.

Matthew 11:28–30 (NKJV)
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”