The Sneaky Sin Of Pride

The sneaky sin of pride. Pride is one of the sneakiest sins in the Bible. It stealthily slips in and fills your heart when you’re unaware. Here are thoughts on how to guard against it.

The sneaky sin of pride. It turns something good into bad.

Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. (ESV, Mark 9:33-34)

Pride stealthily sneaks up on you. After a remarkable achievement. You make a profound statement. Help the helpless. And are all good things. Theyre admirable. Often benefit humanity. And are worthy of recognition. But while you bask in that glory, pride lurks in the shadows. Waiting to quietly ease it’s way in.

Take the disciples for example.

They were hitting their stride in ministry. Supporting Jesus as his ministry grew in fame. Learning about the spiritual kingdom he was building. And the important principles that supported it.

They were pastors and evangelists in training. Learning how to sacrifice, pray, preach, and heal. In other words, they were preparing to advance the kingdom of God. A worthy spiritual ambition. And they had done some remarkable things themselves. But it was going to their heads. And it reached the point they argued about who among them was the greatest.

Pride often begins with something admirable. But the more attention and praise it gets, the greater the temptation to think of ourselves more highly than we ought.

And the irony? The disciples were caught up in their humility, but infected by pride.

The sneaky sin of pride. You’re the last to see it.

Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector (ESV, Luke 18:10-11)

Sinful pride builds up slowly–one degree at a time. Beginning with self congratulation.

First, a tiny step. Hey, you’re not so bad. Then it grabs a toe hold. You know, you’re actually pretty cool. And finally it reaches cruising speed in long strides. Wow, Dude. You’re totally awesome!

Don’t get me wrong. It’s normal to feel good after accomplishing something noteworthy. And it’s okay to receive recognition for it. But that is exactly the danger. Because it plays right into our sin nature. Especially the desire to be a little bit better, more excellent, and slightly superior to everyone else.

So we relive that moment over and over like a “feel good” junky. Convince ourselves that we are maybe, no, definitely more virtuous than others. Until we finally reach the pride pinnacle of a legend in our own mind. And completely blind to it.

The sneaky sin of pride. Resist it by giving God the glory.

I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. (ESV, Psalm 9:1)

There are ways to guard against pride. And the first is to give God the glory in all you do. However, it doesn’t mean pretending an amazing accomplishment wasn’t amazing. Digging your toe in the ground with head down and saying, “Aw shucks. It was nothing.” That’s actually false humility. Pride in disguise.

It’s okay to acknowledge an extraordinary accomplishment or talent. But also acknowledge your abilities are God given to use for His glory. Because they are on loan for a given time and will eventually fade. However, God’s glory will shine forever. By taking the spotlight off yourself and focusing it on God you’ll keep things in proper perspective.

God is the creator. We are the created. Made and sustained by Him. Our purpose is established by God and best demonstrated by glorifying Him.

Become childlike and remember your sinfulness.

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (ESV, Matthew 18:2-4)

Children are innocent and unpretentious. They see a world full of wonder, assume the best in others, ask honest questions, and naturally trust adult answers. Of course, we know adults are not automatically trustworthy and may consider children naive. Still, Jesus presents them as the model Christ followers should imitate.

Why?

Because God is completely trustworthy and His word absolute truth. Therefore, we can and should follow its teachings faithfully. Not just because God commands it. But because they are for our good and promote human flourishing.

Furthermore, we should remain mindful of our sinfulness. Acknowledge that it’s God’s goodness, not our own, that saves us. And that a life, saved by grace, should offer it in kind. This in turn, fosters an attitude of gratitude that helps us see beyond oursleves.

About Chip Tudor:

Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.