Pride—-The Deadly Subtle Sin

Yesterday’s Bible lesson was from Obadiah and focused on carnal pride. Today, we continue looking at the sin of pride. Let us admit from the beginning that there is nothing so difficult and dangerous as pride. Pride is the root of every sin and evil. It was when the now fallen angels began to look upon themselves with self complacency that they were led to disobedience and were cast down from the light of heaven inter outer darkness. “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 “Everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: thoughhand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.” Proverbs 16:5

There are many kinds of pride. There is pride within—-in the heart, and pride without—-in the clothing, the furniture, a car or a house. Pride may be in thought, in speech, or in action. There are people whose conversation is nearly all about themselves. Pride tries to make oneself great. However, the Scripture says: “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” Proverbs 29:23 Carnal pride must be dealt with, it must receive a death blow from the Holy Spirit.

The proud person easily becomes jealous of others. Anger is a form of pride which is a result of selfishness. To every Christian the command comes from the throne of Hod Himself: humble yourself! The earnest attempt to listen and obey will be rewarded—yes, rewarded with the painful discovery of two things: the one, what depth of pride—-that of unwillingness to count oneself and to be counted nothing, to submit absolutely to God in that one never knew. This is total surrender to God’s will. The other: what utter uselessness there is in all our efforts to destroy the hideous monster—-pride. Blessed is the man who now learns to put his hope in God and to persevere. It is in surrendering our all to God, acknowledging our pride, and asking Him to send the fire of the Holy Spirit and purify us in entire sanctification that we will finally have relief.

A final pride question: How much time do I spend for God and how much time do I spend for myself??? G.K. Chesterton said: “If I had only one sermon to preach it would be a sermon against pride.” Think about it.