Pride

Today we continue in our study of the seven deadly sins. Thus far we have looked at sloth, lust, and anger. Today we will look at Pride. Pride is the attitude that you are the center of the universe. Pride is arrogance and conceit.

Pride is just the opposite of humility. It is so dangerous because it keeps you from God. Pride is a dangerous place. Proverbs 11:2 tells us, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but wisdom is with the humble." Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

Another proverb, chapter 29, verse 23, tells us, "A person's Pride will bring humiliation, but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor." There are so many biblical illustrations of pride. Satan's downfall from an angel to devil was as a result of pride. I read a part from Isaiah chapter 14 talking about Satan's demise, Lucifer's fall, where it says, "How you are fallen from Heaven, O Day star, son of dawn! How you are cut to the ground, you who laid the Nations low! You said in your heart, 'I will Ascend to Heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit on the Mount of the assembly on the heights of zaphan; I will Ascend to the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the most high.'"

Pride is indicated by thinking only of yourself. The sin of Pride causes angels and humans to believe that they are above others. And Luke chapter 9, and it's a busy chapter, Jesus sent the disciples out to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God and to heal. Later on in that chapter, when they got back, Jesus, using his disciples, fed the five thousand men plus women and children with just five loaves of bread and two fish.

Still in chapter nine, at the Mount of transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared. After that, Jesus healed a demon-possessed boy. So much happens in Luke chapter 9. You would think that the disciples would all be spiritual, spiritual Giants, ready to serve and to change the world without Pride, without Pride being an issue at all. But sadly, we see that they were not immune.

After witnessing so much in Luke 9, they had an argument that we're told about in verse 46. Luke records, "An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest." The cause of Christ has suffered a great deal because of leaders arguing about who was the greatest. The truth is, Jesus is the greatest, and we are simply blessed Sinners who are allowed into his presence. Pride ruins whatever it touches.

There's a story about Captain James Cook. He was an English explorer who sailed into Hawaii in 1778. When he first landed, the natives treated him as a God because of all the things he could do and all the things he had. He did nothing to stop them. He basked and the promotion, it seems.

On Valentine's Day 1779, he sailed away but was turned back by a storm. The natives were confused. They believed that no God would be turned back by bad weather, and so a skirmish broke out, and cook was killed. His pride indeed was part of his downfall.

So what's the cure? The cure for pride is humility. Have you ever heard this saying: I am third? I love it. It's a good motto to embrace. I am third: God is first, others are second, I am third.

James 4, chapter 10, or chapter 4, verse 10, tells us that if we humble ourselves before the Lord, he will lift us up. Philippians 2 teaches us this, beginning in verse 3. "Do nothing, do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interest but to the interest of others."

We are told, "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but he emptied himself, taking on the form of a Slave, being born in human likeness, and being found in human form." We are told, "He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." If we follow those words, Pride will never be an issue.

Over the years I have seen Pride keep people from God. They were too proud to ask God for help. They were too proud to confess their sins. They were too proud to admit they had a problem. James 4:6 tells us this: "God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble."

Today is Mother's Day. I have great memories of my mother and my stepmother after the death of my mother. I have great memories of them putting us first, putting others first. They were great examples for me.

Not only is today special because it's Mother's Day, it's also our anniversary. Jeannie and I have been married 40 years today. She has been such a wonderful servant in churches that we have served and in our family that she has formed. I'm a blessed man to see such loving humility in action every day. May God bless you this day as we stay humble and serve him.

Pray with me. Father, if there is our issues in our lives of Pride, humble us. Help us to realize the pecking order in this universe puts you first and us last as we love others and serve others. Father, thank you for your word that challenges us and encourages us, and Father, help us to be great examples.

Thank you for the gift of family, the gift of mothers, the gift of wives, and thank you for treating me extra good in that department. In Jesus name I pray, amen. God bless. Thanks for being with me today.