The First Deadly Sin

Proverbs 16:5, 18 & 29:23

Pope Gregory the Great (A.D. 590-604)Divided all sins under seven headings. He believed that every sin a person commits can be classified under these seven categories. These seven words have come to be called the “seven deadly sins.” Sometimes they are referred to as “the seven cardinal sins.” They are pride, anger, envy, impurity, gluttony, slothfulness, (being lazy) and avarice (greed for money or power).    

  Starting tonight and for the next six Wednesday nights we will look at each one separately. We will start with pride 1.                    Pride is often the source of our troubles.Proverbs 16:18 and 19 saysPride goes before destruction and a haughty sprit before a fall.Better to be a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

A.                  Synonyms for Pride are arrogance, contempt, snobbery, rudeness, sassiness, and presumptuousness. The list could be longer but to go on with such an endless listing would serve no purpose beyond that which has already been made-that is, pride soon leads to a multitude of sinful attitudes and actions.

B.                   Pride that is unchecked alienates us from our fellow humans. It may be a superiority based on racism, nationalism, intellectualism, social station, spirituality, or materialism. Regardless of it basis, smugness that causes one to swagger before man and strut in the presence of the Almighty is a harmful detriment to anyone’s future.

C.                   No one live out his life without making mistakes. Most of us make some serious error that requires the support of our family and friends. When that happens, the boastful braggart is often left to stew in his own brew.

2.                    Pride Is hated by GodProverbs 16:5 saysEveryone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.

A. the pride that God hates is not a healthy self-respect. Some Christians have the impression that it is a sin to believe in yourself, your talent, or your capabilities. These people try to develop an attitude of false humility that denigrates or belittles their musical talent, wealth, intellect, or spiritual maturity.   Such efforts are many times a kind of reverse pride. The more they play down their God given abilities, the more others will heap praises on them. These people are playing at humility in order to get others to build them up.

B. The pride that God hates is an arrogant haughtiness. This is one who thinks more highly of himself than he ought. Believing that God has given one the wisdom to always be right in judgments or leadership is arrogance. Other members of the church are also guided by God’s Holy Spirit, and their collective wisdom might be more true to God’s will than one self-appointed leader.

C.The punishment of God is promised to the conceited, self-inflated soul. The latter part of Proverbs 16:5 says, “Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.”     The country expression I have often heard is “the chickens come home to roost!” Whatever seeds one sows in life, he or she reaps. Sooner or later there is a day of accounting.

3.                    Pride leads to humiliation.   “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.” (Proverbs 29:23)

 A.                  Unhealthy pride is a form of self-deification.  Every man would like to be God, if it were possible; some few find it difficult to admit the impossibility. Adam and Eve’s sin was one of a desire to be like God- knowing the difference between good and evil (gen.3:5) Man’s desire to control his own destiny leads him to believe-falsely-that he can actually control his emotions, attitudes, abilities, and intellect without God’s help.

B.                   Adam and Eve were brought low for their sin of pride. God promises to do the same to all who do not accept their dependence on Him. Sadly, some churches have such a well oiled institutional machine that they keep moving temporarily even without God’s leadership.

C.                   But the reverse is also true, that is, a truly humble person is elevated to leadership. If you are talented, you seldom, if ever, have to tell people. Admirable qualities usually find their way to the surface. This last verse tells us that the humble man gains honor. Jesus said it this way, in Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” .

We have seen, God hates the common sin of pride and brings judgment on the one who lets it become a lifestyle. But God has many rewards for the one who is genuinely humble. True humility is found in Jesus Christ, He is the perfect example of intelligence, power, fame, ability, and leadership. Yet, He never used these qualities selfishly or in conceit. Consequently, we are encouraged to become “like Christ,” and this is done by believing God is the only God and that He alone can guide our lives.

Can you let him guide you?

Will you let him have total control?

All you have to do is ask Him today. Ask Him to lead and guide you; He will show you how to stay away from pride.