Day 22: Bad Fruit from the Roots of Pride

in this devotional, we are talking about bad fruit from pride. One of the most profound examples in the Bible comes from the life of King Nebuchadnezzar. From the 40 Days of Daily Bread Series.


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You have probably heard the story of Daniel, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace many times. But have you ever noticed the pride ingrained in the life of King Nebuchadnezzar? He definitely had the first kind of pride that we talked about yesterday. I’m going to give you the break down. The whole intriguing story is laid out in Daniel 1–4; read it here.

Roots of Pride

King Nebuchadnezzar was so proud that he would only have those who were good-looking and had great ability in them to stand in the king’s palace. No riffraff.  Specifically “young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.” (Daniel 1:4, NKJV).

As the Tree Grows, People Are Affected

King Nebuchadnezzar’s pride brought him to a place where he controlled and threatened. As we can see from Daniel 2:5-6, the results of those who supplied the king’s demand versus those who didn’t were polar opposites.

Daniel prefaced the revelation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream by pointing out that God wanted to show him what was in his heart. (2:30) King Nebuchadnezzar’s hears he’s at the top (2:38), and then butters up to Daniel (2:46) and promotes him (2:48).

Everyone had to bow down to the gold image King Nebuchadnezzar’s set up because in his heart he was the image. (Daniel 3:1-7)

Bad Fruit from Pride

Notice the pattern of bad fruit coming from the roots of pride in his life:

  • Angry and very furious – 2:12
  • Murder – 2:13
  • Controls and threatens – 3:6
  • Rage and fury – 3:13
  • Full of fury – 3:19
  • Murder – 3:19-23

Out of the furnace comes Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. King Nebuchadnezzar blesses God yet there’s no repentance. He has another dream…

King Nebuchadnezzar’s Deliverance

King Nebuchadnezzar hears he’s great again (Daniel 4:22), but not above God (4:25). Daniel warns him about his sin (4:27), but he still doesn’t repent. A year passes and while he was praising himself aloud God immediately humbles him (4:29-32).

In one hour he goes from a pompous king to this:

…he was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws. (Daniel 4:33 ESV)

While he was there for “seven times” (4:32), he finally lets God deliver him.

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (Daniel 4:37 ESV)

This section is to help us respond to His promptings. "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." James 1:22 ESV #ThrivingInChrist #DailyBread #DailyTime #BibleStudy #GodTime #QuietTime #Devotions #Devotional #40dayswithGod #40daysofdailybread #Bible #spritualgrowth

Apply the Word

This section is to help us respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 ESV

  • Ask God to reveal any pride in your heart and deliver you. Write what you gleaned from King Nebuchadnezzar’s life and the following verse in your journal:

Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin. Proverbs 21:4 ESV

Would you say that pride is a serious thing?

There was bad fruit from the roots of pride in King Nebuchadnezzar's life. Click to Tweet


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