The Worst Sin? Pride by Lane Jordan Burday

 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Luke 14:11, NIV).

Joyce Meyer was the guest speaker at my church today, Gateway. Her subject was pride. I believe everyone in the service became very convicted because pride works its way into each one of us. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where pride took over? How did it make you feel?

Lucifer (Satan) was the most beautiful angel created, but because he was very proud of his beauty, he decided to gather a group of angels and rebel against God. Of course, they were defeated, and since that day, Satan’s whole purpose has been to ruin and destroy anything that God has created and loved.

That means God’s people, the Jewish nation, marriages, churches, and families. His first victim was Adam and Eve, where he spoke to Eve’s pride. It worked. She disobeyed God’s command and instantly died spiritually.

So here we are today—most of us stiff-necked and prideful—looking down on everyone else. Jesus shared this parable regarding this judgment in Luke 18:9-14. It’s the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector who went up to the temple to pray. The Pharisee’s prayer was so boastful:

“God, I thank you that I am not like other people – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.” But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God have mercy on me, a sinner.” Jesus then said that the tax collector went home justified before God because he had humbled himself.

You and I do the same as the Pharisee! How many people do we put our noses up if we see someone different from us? Someone obese, or with tattoos, pink hair, the homeless, or the poor? Those who dress differently than we do or who live in an area that we think is bad. Or do we judge and gossip about those even in our church or friend circle?

We can even be prideful if someone commits a sin, such as adultery because we would “never do that!” If you aren’t tempted in an area, it can cause you to be self-righteous rather than realize that everyone has their weak points. Yes, we can judge sin, but we do not judge people.

We also need to be humble when we have any type of success in this life, whether it’s in our careers, our children’s success, or our abilities. The only reason we are successful is because of God’s grace! Romans 12:3 says, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” Remember, God takes the weak and makes them succeed. God is the One to receive the glory.

You may wonder what some of the signs are that you are prideful. Are you rude to others? Do you think you are better than others, have great anger when you don’t get your way, have jealousy and envy, discourage words, slander, and malice?

Or do you work on yourself to be humble as much as possible? Do you apologize if you are rude? Do you seek out those who are hurting and minister to them? Do you go the extra mile? In other words, do you do tasks for others, even if you are busy? Are you thankful and grateful for all you have, such as a nice house, car, and clothes, or are you very prideful with all you have gotten?

The main thing I saw today as I watched Joyce speak was how transparent and willing she was to share all her struggles with pride and with wanting to be humble. If a Godly woman like that has to work at it, that should give us hope that we can change from pride in our life.

My prayer is that you consistently seek God above all else, that you pray daily, confessing your sins and humbling yourself, and that you see other people as individuals. Jesus died for and to whom you can show love. Loving others is the antidote to pride.

Just remember that if we don’t humble ourselves, God will.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2).

Lane Jordan-Burday is the Pearls of Promise Ministries Prayer Co-Coordinator; POP Talk TV and Radio Co-Host and Writer. She is also is an award-winning and best-selling author of over ten adult and children’s books. She is a speaker with Stonecroft Ministries, seminar leader, professional life coach, Bible teacher, and artist. She served as the Associate Producer for the program In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley. She prays for women to come to know the Lord is God!

Lane’s latest book, Evangeline, is a historical fiction based on the book of Esther. You can reach Lane at: lane@lanejordanministries.com. Her website is: www.LaneJordanMinistries.com.