The deadly sin of pride has been around since before the foundation of the earth. Lucifer, a high-ranking angel created by God, decided he would elevate himself to be equal with God. Lucifer and the other angels who rebelled were tossed out of heaven, and they are still here today causing us grief. Adam and Eve were the first victims, or maybe suckers is a better word. Satan tempted them to eat from the tree that was forbidden with the lure of knowledge equal to God’s. They broke the rules because pride caused them to believe they could discount God’s authority and come out on the winning end. That pride got them kicked out of the Garden of Eden, and again, here we are still struggling with the same pride problem.

Pride shows itself in various ways. 1) I’m better than you! This type of pride displays as a critical heart, a critical attitude. When you believe you’re the only one who’s right or can do things right, you have a pride problem. This deadly sin will leave you stressed, frustrated, angry and weary, and probably alone!

2) I can handle it myself. This prideful mentality keeps you from asking for help. It causes you to deny your weaknesses. Remember the song by Mac Davis, “Lord, it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way!” Pretending that all is well because you don’t want others to know what’s really going on is wearing. If you aren’t willing to seek or receive instruction, you’re in a very dangerous place.

3) The rules don’t apply to me. This pattern of thought is sort of where Adam and Eve fell off the wagon. Surely, we won’t die if we eat the fruit. That can’t be what God meant. What’s amusing is that many people who feel the rules don’t apply to them are hardcore about others keeping the rules. It’s all about what works for them.

It’s easy to see pride in others, but not so easy to recognize it in yourself. So, what do you need to do to take out this deadly opponent? First, admit your weakness, confess! None of us has arrived, we’re all still growing (or should be). Next, evaluate your strengths but be realistic. We all have areas of strength, and we all have areas of weakness. God has given us gifts, abilities, and talents. We use them to the best of our ability and the result can be amazing, but never forget the source! God gave you the hands, the ability, the capacity. 

God will promote those who humble themselves before Him. God says happiness and humility are connected. When you kill pride, you close the door on many sins where pride will lead, and you open the door to blessing.

Scriptures: James 4:6; Isaiah 14:13-14; Proverbs 26:12; Luke 18:11-14; Proverbs 10:17; 2 Samuel 12:5, 7; Proverbs 20:27, 28:13; Romans 12:3; Galatians 6:4; 1 Corinthians 4:7; James 4:10; Matthew 5:5

Verses: (Js 4:6) God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (Pr 26:12) Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them. (Pr 10:17) Those who accept instruction are travelers on the road to a meaningful life, but those who refuse correction wander off and pave a path to ruin. (Pr 28:13) You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you. (Js 4:10) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (Mt 5:5) “Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised!”

Questions: What’s the difference between good and bad pride. What are you proud of? How can being proud of your child be good pride and also bad pride? Do you think you are better than others? Consider prejudice, other cultures, races, etc? Are you willing to ask for help? Do you justify breaking the rules when it works for you? 

Prayer: (taken in part from “It’s a Sin” by Pet Shop Boys) I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words…in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do, through my fault…through my fault, through my most grievous fault.  [Father, forgive me, amen.]