Sunday, February 6, 2022

SUNDAY THOUGHT: THE SIN OF PRIDE


Photo by Anne Sack on Unsplash

The Sin of Pride 


The Lord detests the proud; they will surely be punished…Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.                                           – Proverbs 16:5,18

 

One of the saddest things to watch is when someone in leadership messes up, whether it is a politician or a pastor or simply a highly respected individual in the church or community. So often we watch someone who has been blessed in SO many ways start thinking SO highly of themselves that they have an affair or are caught in some kind of ungodly or illegal behavior. Pride is dangerous, and Satan loves to convince us that we are invincible and that we deserve what we want – that no one will know, that we can do what we want. The lies of the enemy take hold and we fall into the trap of arrogance.

 

What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?                                    – 1 Corinthians 4:7b

 

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE SINFUL PRIDE OF THE CHURCH

 

Paul warned the church of how destructive their arrogance and pride was becoming. He cared about these believers and he wanted them to serve only God and not their own selfish ambitions. He knew they needed accountability in order to stay focused on the gospel and not on themselves. Paul’s words of instruction and warning to the church in Corinth are helpful for all of us to listen to as well.

 

Some of you have become arrogant, thinking I will not visit you again. But I will come – and soon – if the Lord lets us, and then I’ll find out whether these arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they really have God’s power. For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit. – 1 Corinthians 4:18-21

 

I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you – something that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother. You are so PROUD of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship…Your BOASTING about this is terrible. Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough?                      – 1 Corinthians 5:1-2,6

 

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE SINFUL PRIDE OF A BELIEVER

 

When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people. It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”                                                                                       – 1 Corinthians 5:9-13

 

This is difficult to read. I think it takes wisdom from God to handle a situation when a member of our church family continues to sin. It takes both love and strength to protect the congregation while also doing what we can to extend grace as we help a brother or sister turn from their sinful ways or addictions. We cannot use Paul’s words as permission to push someone away in disgust but instead to allow leadership to lovingly handle a situation. 


Remember, it was also Paul who said: “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should GENTLY and HUMBLY help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself” (Galatians 6:1).

 

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE SINFUL PRIDE OF OUR NATION

 

Lord, forgive us for thinking too much of ourselves instead of depending on you – as individuals, as the church, and as a nation. Lord, heal our land and bring our eyes back in focus on you. Help us to recognize pride and arrogance in our own hearts. Give us wisdom to handle those inside the church who are continuing in sin – in love and with truth. We worship you in confidence, knowing that you are more powerful than the attempts of the enemy and you have equipped us with your Spirit for any battle that comes our way. We love you, Lord. Amen.           


The Lord detests the proud; they will surely be punished…Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.                                           – Proverbs 16:5,18

 

One of the saddest things to watch is when someone in leadership messes up, whether it is a politician or a pastor or simply a highly respected individual in the church or community. So often we watch someone who has been blessed in SO many ways start thinking SO highly of themselves that they have an affair or are caught in some kind of ungodly or illegal behavior. Pride is dangerous, and Satan loves to convince us that we are invincible and that we deserve what we want – that no one will know, that we can do what we want. The lies of the enemy take hold and we fall into the trap of arrogance.

 

What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?                                    – 1 Corinthians 4:7b

 

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE SINFUL PRIDE OF THE CHURCH

 

Paul warned the church of how destructive their arrogance and pride was becoming. He cared about these believers and he wanted them to serve only God and not their own selfish ambitions. He knew they needed accountability in order to stay focused on the gospel and not on themselves. Paul’s words of instruction and warning to the church in Corinth are helpful for all of us to listen to as well.

 

Some of you have become arrogant, thinking I will not visit you again. But I will come – and soon – if the Lord lets us, and then I’ll find out whether these arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they really have God’s power. For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit. – 1 Corinthians 4:18-21

 

I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you – something that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother. You are so PROUD of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship…Your BOASTING about this is terrible. Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough? – 1 Corinthians 5:1-2,6

 

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE SINFUL PRIDE OF A BELIEVER

 

When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people. It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”                                                                                          – 1 Corinthians 5:9-13

 

This is difficult to read. I think it takes wisdom from God to handle a situation when a member of our church family continues to sin. It takes both love and strength to protect the congregation while also doing what we can to extend grace as we help a brother or sister turn from their sinful ways or addictions. We cannot use Paul’s words as permission to push someone away in disgust but instead to allow leadership to lovingly handle a situation. Remember, it was also Paul who said: “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should GENTLY and HUMBLY help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself” (Galatians 6:1).

 

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE SINFUL PRIDE OF OUR NATION

 

Lord, forgive us for thinking too much of ourselves instead of depending on you – as individuals, as the church, and as a nation. Lord, heal our land and bring our eyes back in focus on you. Help us to recognize pride and arrogance in our own hearts. Give us wisdom to handle those inside the church who are continuing in sin – in love and with truth. We worship you in confidence, knowing that you are more powerful than the attempts of the enemy and you have equipped us with your Spirit for any battle that comes our way. We love you, Lord. Amen.






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