Bible Reading: Isaiah 14:12-19 KJV
- Isaiah 14:12 KJV
Sin is a falling short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). So there’s either righteousness (perfection) or unrighteousness, it is either one or the other. James 2:10 states, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." Thus, all sins are equal to God in that all sins are by definition “unrighteous” and “imperfect.” However, there is hope because 1 John 1:9 tells us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Unfortunately, there is one sin that is difficult to get forgiveness of; not because it is so bad that God can not forgive us of it, but the sin is so dangerous that it does not allow us to ask for the needed forgiveness. By now, you have probably guessed the most dangerous sin is Pride.
Pride's very nature keeps a person from saying that he or she is wrong. Thus, if you are not wrong why should you ask for forgiveness, and as such, you will see no need to repent? If you do not confess your sin and repent of it, then you can not be forgiven of it.
The deeper you go down the path of Pride, the more difficult it is for you to turn back. In our Bible Reading above, Lucifer was so far down the path of pride, he believed what he was saying about himself, and at that point there was no turning back.
Lucifer (Satan) is the angel that was described as "the anointed cherub" in Ezekiel 28:14. He was adorned with "...every precious stone..." imaginable (Ezekiel 28:13). In addition, Ezekiel 28:12 described him as "...full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty."
Most likely he was the most powerful of all angels since Michael the archangel did not dare stand up to him without the Lord’s help (Jude 9). Satan fell because of pride. He did not like being “second best.” He wanted to be God.
Proverbs 16:18 (KJV) warns us of the consequences of Pride, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." This verse serves as a stark reminder that pride is a precursor to our downfall, leading us to believe that we are above others and deserving of special treatment.
The Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 5:5 (KJV) wrote, "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." Here, Peter emphasizes the importance of humility and warns us that God resists the proud, while bestowing grace upon the humble.
Also consider the words of Jesus Himself in Luke 14:11 (KJV), "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." In this verse, Jesus teaches us that those who exalt themselves will ultimately be brought low, while those who humble themselves will be exalted by God.
Also consider the words of Jesus Himself in Luke 14:11 (KJV), "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." In this verse, Jesus teaches us that those who exalt themselves will ultimately be brought low, while those who humble themselves will be exalted by God.
Finally, Proverbs 6:16-19 lists the six things that God hates. It probably is not a coincidence that "A proud look" is listed first, since pride has destroyed so many peoples lives, first by Satan's pride then by their own pride.
In conclusion, Pride is the most dangerous of all sins because it can insidiously infiltrate our hearts and minds, leading us down a path of destruction, and not allow us to repent and ask forgiveness of it.
