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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