Contrary to popular belief, all sins are NOT equal. In fact, the Bible ranks sins. Some are far worse than others. But is there one sin that is the worst of them all? If there is, it is probably the devil’s first sin: pride.
WHAT PRIDE IS NOT—
Pride is not simply knowing your strengths. Pride is not giving a detailed answer when a job-interviewer asks why they should hire you. Pride is not choosing goals that most people will never achieve. It is not prideful to go to college, to be confident, to look people in the eye, or to tell an opponent you plan to beat them in some contest.
WHAT PRIDE IS—
Pride is an unhealthy obsession with yourself and your ranking. Pride is believing you are above others, that because of some trait or accomplishment, you are more valuable than others, or somehow worth more than others. Pride is the voice telling you that you are a different breed, a higher class of person than those other people. Satan believed he was different—BETTER—than other angels.
“Bright morning star, how you have fallen from the heavens! … You said to yourself ‘I will ascend to the heavens. I will set up my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of the gods’ assembly … I will make myself like the Most High. But you will be brought down to the deepest pit” Isaiah 14:12-15.
In contrast to Satan, Jesus gave up His place, “not regarding equality with God a thing to be grasped, He emptied Himself, being found in appearance as a man…” Philippians 2:6-8.
We are instructed to do the same: “Let each one of you regard one another as more important than himself” Philippians 2:3.
This is no small matter. When you pridefully think more highly of yourself than you should, you are acting like Satan. But when you put others above yourself, you are acting like Jesus. And God promises to punish pride, but bless humility:
“God is OPPOSED to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” James 4:6.
God, reveal to us our pride and teach us to walk in humility, as you walked.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 