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1 CORINTHIANS 10:12 “WHEREFORE LET HIM THAT THINKETH HE STANDETH TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL.” (KJV, NKJV, ASV)
“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” (NASB)
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (NIV)
“So be careful. If you are thinking, “Oh, I would never behave like that”-let this be a warning to you. For you too may fall into sin.” (TLB)
The seven deadly sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins, function as a grouping and classification of major vices within the teachings in Christianity and Islam. According to the standard list, the seven deadly sins in Christianity are pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony and sloth.
I don’t think we will memorize Scriptures warning against all seven of the “deadly sins.” But I do find it interesting that PRIDE is listed first. I wonder why that is?
A good definition might be: “Pride is an excessive view of one's self without regard for others.”
Jeremiah 9:23-24 tells us, “...Let not the mighty man boast of his might...but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me...” Pride is also mentioned most famously in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
I am proud to say that I am completely unqualified to teach this lesson. Of course, that is sarcasm…I have learned of this deadly sin in my life from years of experience. I have embarrassingly learned after a fall that pride is alive and well in me way too often. Honestly though, pride is a quality that our culture drives to teach within us.
Raising my boys, how many times did I try to teach them to dress nicely, be polite and smell good by admonishing them to “have some pride, boys!” In how many athletic competitions do we promote pride in our team, our skills and our superiority so we can defeat our opponent? Even cancel culture gets in on the act by letting us know that we all need to be proud of who we are and what we can do by awarding everyone for “participating.”
I have to admit that it was pride that drove me to always want to be the best, to win every competition. When I went to the Air Force Academy, I found I was surrounded by 4,000 other “strivers” who were constantly being motivated to perform, be the best and win at everything we did so we could beat the competition. Oh, and I think I already confessed that the environment of being the best fighter pilot in the world was what we expected of all our professional aviators. I think Ricky Bobby probably said it best. “If you aren’t first, your last.” There’s the winner and then there is everyone else. I’m really good if I am better than you. Oh my.
Two thousand years ago, Jesus came onto the scene to change that way of thinking. He said, “humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10) John said, “He must increase but I must decrease.” (John 3:30, future memory verse). Mary said, “My soul doth magnify the Lord” (and not me!) (Luke 1:46)
Not too long ago I thought about writing a book: “Humility and How I Achieved It.” Of course, the minute you start bragging about how humble you are…well, you get the oxymoron. Humility is something you almost think cannot be achieved. However, although there are numerous examples of God needing to humble men after their pride had gone too far, I defy you to find me a Scriptural reference where the Bible does not lay the burden of humbling ourselves directly on us. We cannot pray, “Lord, give me humility,” or “Lord, take away my proud spirit.” Instead, that task is put directly on our shoulders. “Humble Yourself!” “Do not be proud.” “Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature.” (Colossians 3:5) This being Christ-like is not easy, it’s not for sissies!
Well, I have been a Christian now for over sixty years and I have to say, I am not there yet. Please, if you have arrived at this type of humility, step forward and teach the rest of us. I am humble enough to know I am not humble enough. But I’m still memorizing Scriptures like 1 Cor 10:12 and trying to apply the concept to my life so I know I should be. Please join me and come along with us on the lifetime struggle to become more like Jesus in this way.
Questions to Ponder: Why does the Bible encourage us to live our lives in such ways that seem almost impossible for us to achieve? Jesus was the greatest example of humility and total lack of self-pride in history. Is it really reasonable for us to think we can achieve humility like He did? Lee Greenwood sang, “I’m proud to be an American.” Should be have a song like, “I’m proud to be a Christian?” We believe Paul when he told us we need to “crucify the flesh.” How do we do that with Pride? How does one crucify pride?
Other Scriptures to Consider: Romans 12:16, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” 1 Corinthians 13:4, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” Galatians 6:3-5, “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.” and James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
 
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