Pride not only appears to be the earliest sin, but it is at the core of all sin.
There's something to think about....
C.J. Mahaney points out that there is nothing God hates more than pride, it is the most serious sin.
In Proverbs 16:5 it says that "Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
Why does God hate pride so passionately? The author says that pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him.
Do we really do that?
We know that God is God and we are not, so do we really think we can go off on our own and live apart from Him and His ways?
Pride and arrogance share similarities. Of course we're not talking about the healthy pride that comes from doing a job well, but if we look at the definitions we see:
Arrogance: an insulting way of thinking or behaving that comes from believing
that you are better, smarter, or more important than other people
Pride: a feeling that you are more important or better than other people
Pride undermines unity and can ultimately divide a church. In this chapter we read, "Show me a church where there's division, where there's quarreling, and I'll show you a church where there's pride."
Is pride something we all struggle with? Do we rationalize it?
Although the subject of pride is not a pleasant one, we have to see that as always, God is gracious and merciful to show us the dangers around us. He teaches us His way, the way of humility.
In our next chapter we will see how Jesus addresses selfish ambition and self-righteousness.
May we each trust Him as He shines the light of His love into our hearts.
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