“Pride” is the downfall of many, many people

"Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.  He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.”  Psalm 7:14-15

If you’re like me you get tired of only hearing sad or bad news, and seemingly on a continual basis.  Having said that, I’m going to use one of the “hot” stories of the last few days as an illustration to our lesson here today.  And, in my opinion, it fits both the “sad” and “bad” category.  I’m speaking of the ongoing saga of the downfall from TV news glory of Brian Williams, the news anchor for NBC News.

As I’m sure that most of us know, he was recently suspended from that position for 6 months for lying about events in his life in 2003 which served to open the proverbial gate on other events he has lied about while being a reporter of the news.  In essence, by his lies, instead of just reporting the news, he became the news himself. 

Some of the pundits and “experts” commenting on his behavior actually said that he was “lying” about the things that he reported as happening to him and then, for several more years, repeated and embellished upon those falsehoods.  But many of the commentators said that he just “misspoke,” or the one I really liked was that he “misremembered” what had actually happened.  

For the record, there is no debate as to what happened or whether he in fact “lied” as that has been proven and acknowledged by Mr. Williams himself.   And also, it isn’t necessary to go into detail here as to the specifics of the events themselves in order for us to use him to illustrate our lesson.  For me, it’s just sad to witness the “fall into his own pit,” but because of it, he serves as a living example of some things we’ve studied in the Bible for many years.

I’ve always said that a “liar” has to have a great memory because you cannot tell just one lie.  You have to back that lie up with more lies.  Thus, a great memory is a necessary requirement or you’ll do exactly as Mr. Williams did, “misremember.” And even though we hear the terms “misspeak” and “misremember” used a lot nowadays, just be aware that God calls these “lies and falsehoods.”  In Williams’ case, I guess that he “misremembered” therefore he “misspoke.”  See why one needs to have a “great memory” in order to be a “liar?”

Of course, the debate is also raging on all the talk-shows as to “Why would he do this?” with the majority of the answers that I’ve heard being “It doesn’t make any sense to me.”  Well, I suspect that it doesn’t make any sense to them because they don’t know the proper resources to check with about the “why?.” 

A quick review of the Bible regarding the cause of people’s sinful actions would help them realize that the “Father” of liars (Jn. 8:44) is involved here.  And, as Brian Williams certainly isn’t the only liar amongst us, we should probably take a look at liars in general and ask “Why do they knowingly speak falsehoods?”  Why do they feel the need to embellish something?  I have a few opinions as to the “why” so let’s look at a few.

My first thought is that those whose character is such that they feel the need to lie and then further embellish on their lies, have a “heart problem.”  I say that because the Bible says that.  The Prophet Isaiah tells us that in Isa. 59:13 where he speaks of “conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.”

You see, our “hearts” are where all of our actions, whether good or bad, originate.  So, I think that it’s safe to say that it’s in his “heart” that we find Mr. Williams basic weakness of character.  When we read what the Apostle John had to say that fits with our lesson today, we see the category of sin wherein Mr. Williams’ character fault lies: the “pride of life.”  (1Jn. 2:16)

“Pride” is the downfall of many, many people.  If you recall, David paid dearly for having allowed his “pride” to cause him to “number the people.” In other words, David wanted to see how great he was.  See, David had something in common with Brian Williams and the rest of us.  He was a human being.  And Satan found his weak spot and exploited it (1Chron. 21:1) in the same manner that he did Mr. Williams and anyone else that isn’t “diligent” in keeping their “heart.”  Solomon never wrote any truer words about this subject than he did when he told us to “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”  (Prov. 4:23)

One of the weaknesses of a person’s character might be they’re not being satisfied with who they are and “pride” causes them to want to be “more.”  To be “more” than your true self, you have to “lie” or “deceive” in order to do that.  But, the underlying reason for wanting to be “more” is that old devil “pride” again.  And why do some want to be “more?”  I believe that they’re seeking the applause and the admiration of others, sort of like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day.  They like to be “seen by others” and be “honored” by their fellow men.  (Matt. 23)

Keep in mind that when one practices deceit, for whatever reason, they also become like the Pharisees in another way, IE: “hypocrites.”  Since the Greek word for “hypocrite” is “actor” then, in essence, what Mr. Williams and anyone else involved in this practice, does is to pretend they are worthy of men’s praise when, in reality, they’re uttering and living a “lie.”

In concluding my thoughts here today, I see Brian Williams to be a classic example of something that God warns mankind to avoid being.  To avoid living a pretense of being righteous when you’re really a “hypocrite.”  Just “acting” the part.

And, again like the Pharisees, if your goal is to be noticed and praised by men, you may get your reward for a while, but in lying to get it, you’re “digging a pit” that you’ll eventually fall into.  From my perspective of the news, me thinks Mr. Williams has found his “pit.”  And also keep in mind that an eternal “pit” awaits all unrepentant “liars.”

Respectfully submitted,

Ron Covey