The Ugly Sin Within

When I began my research on the topic of the sin of pride, I didn't think that I would be the one getting the lesson on humility. That should have been an obvious sign to me right there! God began to show me how our culture perpetuates this sin, to the Nth degree! Think about social media. What is it that we see a lot on social media? Not all of the time or for all people, but sometimes people post and display their vainglory accomplishments and grandeur that they have attained. Never mind that they have gone into untold debt to "afford" said grandiose ways of life or objects.  And then sometimes we feel compelled to "stay up with the Joneses" so to speak. I suspect some of these same people post their accomplishments to feel approved, "liked," or to feel superior. What ends up happening many times is that it puffs up. I am guilty of this myself. Ouch. Being real honest here. The more likes I may get on that sermon I preached, I feel a little bit of pride trying to subtly inch its way into my life. I have to be very careful not to let this attitude and sin of pride become entrenched in me. I guess I'm in good company. I read a story about a very famous preacher by the name of Charles Spurgeon. It made me feel a little better, but not much ;). Spurgeon had just finished preaching a powerful sermon and as soon as he had spoken his last word, the devil whispered to him, "That was a fine sermon. You preached magnificently!" And for just a moment, he agreed with him. As he was stepping off of the platform, a deacon of that church told him his preaching was a masterpiece. Interrupting him, Spurgeon says, "You're too late. The devil told me that a few moments ago." All people, I don't care who you are, super-spiritual Christian, pastor, volunteer at the church-all of us must engage in the battle to keep the sin of pride from rearing its ugly head. And if you hear preachers who never admit to any weaknesses or shortcomings, beware. A preacher who won't authentically be themselves from the pulpit and every once in while show themselves to have weaknesses, probably has pride. Pride sees faults in others, not within.

So how does God view pride, what are its fruits, and what is the answer to the sin of pride?

Pride stands in direct opposition to God. God hates the sin of pride (Prov. 8:13). God never will and never has tolerated pride. Remember what happened to Lucifer? We read in Ezekiel 28:17 how he was puffed up with pride because of his own beauty and splendor and because of that he wanted to exalt his throne above the stars of God. This literally got him thrown out of heaven and then he became what we call the devil, all because of pride.

We read in 1 John 2:16 that everything in the world system comes from the sin of pride (the boasting of what one has and does) and from the lust of the eyes. Every sin in the world is spawned from these two sins. 

One of the "fruits" (if you want to call it that) of the sin of pride is conflict. Proverbs 13:10 says, "Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise." I dare say that every argument, disagreement, marital conflict, family turmoil, church split, even war-can all be traced back to pride. Pride separates us from other people and from God. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. I surely don't want God to resist me, I want grace! Much better for us to dwell with humility. 

Pride sets itself against God; it says, "I don't need God. I know so much that I can do this on my own!" In regards to people, it places little to no value on God's gifts in others. In relation to oneself, pride boasts that those talents and abilities, which are really gifts from God, were the result of our own doing.  

Pride will cause us to judge other people, to look down on others, to defend ourselves, and to refuse to forgive. If we don't want broken relationships with God and with others, we need to learn to say these words, and say them quickly: "I'm sorry," "I was wrong," "Will you forgive me?" 

Again and again the Bible also repeatedly warns us that pride comes before destruction and a fall (Proverbs 16:18). We should take this pride thing seriously!

The answer, of course, to pride is humility. Humility has the power to annihilate pride. Humility could be defined as not thinking of oneself. C.S. Lewis writes, "Christian humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less." Paul in Philippians 2:3 admonishes us, "Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves." We need to learn from our Master, the Lord Jesus. Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart."  (Matthew 11:29) The evidence that we are learning of Christ is that we are becoming more and more like Him. He humbled himself and took on the nature of a servant and became obedient to death on the cross-for us! (Phil. 2:7-8) If we take an honest assessment of ourselves, are we looking more and more like Jesus or less and less like him? Are we humble, a servant to others, willing to wash others' feet, as the Lord did? 

In order to learn humility, we must first acknowledge that we are proud-whatever that looks like in our lives. And it can take so many different forms. I think one of the most offensive forms is that of religious pride. Pride can be so deceptive-we can even pride ourselves on how humble we are! Oh my, how backwards and upside down is that?! But if we are careful to honestly see ourselves in view of the cross and see how desperately we need a Savior, pride doesn't stand a chance. How can it? All of our righteous acts are like filthy rags to a holy God (Isaiah 64:6). When we remember that, we will truly stay humbled. But we must constantly fight to keep a right view of ourselves in order to not become inflated with pride. Everything we are and everything we have, we have because of God's grace and love. I am sure thankful that the sin of pride, just like every other sin, can be washed away in the blood of Jesus.

Grateful,
Kim Dillingham