PRIDE (THE MASTER SIN - SIN OF ALL SINS)
Many theologians believe that pride is the "sin of all sins," for it was pride that changed an angel into the devil (Isa 14:12-15). Lucifer's, "I will be like the Most High" (v. 14) challenged the very throne of God; in the Garden of Eden, it became, "You will be like God" (Gen 3:5). Eve believed it, and you know the rest of the storyTHE THIRD DEVICE THE WORLD SYSTEM USES
The third device the world system uses to trap Christians (1 John 2:16) is the "boastful pride of life" (NASB). The Greek word for "pride" means a braggart who was trying to impress people with his importance. People have always tried to outdo others in their spending and their getting. The boastful pride of life motivates much of what such people do.Why is it that so many folks buy houses, cars, appliances, or wardrobes that they really cannot afford?
But it is amazing what stupid things people do just to make an impression. They even sacrifice honesty and, integrity in return for notoriety and a feeling of importance.
PRIDE WORSE THAN SICKNESS
There is something worse than sickness, and that is sin, and the worst sin of all is pride. The healthy person who is rebelling against God is in worse shape than the suffering person who is submitting to God and enjoying God's grace. It is a paradox - and an evidence of the sovereignty of God - that God used Satan, the proudest of all beings, to help keep Paul humble.THE FIRST PROUD PERSON
Pride started with Lucifer (Satan), the reason why his name changed from lucifer (morning star) to Satan (accuser, enemy). He was the first person to rebel against God (Isa 14:12-15; Ezek 28:11-18).SOME DEFINITIONS OF PRIDE
Bible commentator William Barclay said, "Pride is the ground in which all the other sins grow, and the parent from which all the other sins come.Pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes." Napoleon declared, "Pride never listens to the voice of reason, nature, or religion." "God resisteth the proud." "Those that walk in pride He is able to abase." Charles V. was so sure of victory when he invaded France, that he ordered his historians to prepare plenty of paper to record his exploits. But he lost his army by famine and disease, and returned crest-fallen. A South-American farmer had such large herds of horses, that he boasted, "I'll never want horses, not even if God wished it." Soon after, an epidemic destroyed them every one. "He that exalteth himself shall be abased." (H. R. Burton.)
Pride consists in an immoderate self-esteem, and places its happiness in esteem and honour from others. No sin is more foolish than this, it springs from ignorance of God, of ourselves and other men, and by the very means which it uses for the accomplishments of its ends, ensures disappointment. In seeking glory it finds disgrace. Pride made Nebuchadnezzar a brute. It destroyed Herod with worms. It turned Lucifer into Beelzebub. (G. Lawson.)
James Denney said, "No man can bear witness to Christ and to himself at the same time. No man can give the impression that he himself is clever and that Christ is mighty to save."
The late radio comedian Fred Allen defined celebrities as "people who work hard to be famous so they have to wear dark glasses so as not to be recognized."
HEZEKIAH'S PRIDE (2 CHRONICLES 20:12-13; 32:27-30; 39:1-2).
Hezekiah was a man that walked in God’s ways but he had a problem with pride. His near-fatal sickness did humble him, but the visit of the Babylonian envoys made it clear that the old sin was still very much alive. The envoys came to Judah with two purposes in mind:(1) To find out how strong the kingdom was, and
(2) To try to influence Hezekiah to unite with Babylon in opposing Assyria.
Because he didn't fully grasp their true purpose, Hezekiah assumed that it was a great honor to be visited by officials from the king of Babylon. At that time in history, Assyria was the strongest empire and Babylon was an empire on the rise. The envoys brought expensive gifts from the king of Babylon as well as personal letters expressing his pleasure that Hezekiah had recovered from his dangerous illness. (See 2 Chron 32:27-30.) Foolishly, Hezekiah gave them the grand tour and showed them his treasures and weapons. It appears that Hezekiah was better at managing his scribes and writing his psalms than he was at overseeing the politics of the kingdom. All that Hezekiah possessed came from the hand of God and belonged to God, so why should Hezekiah boast about it? He may have made a good impression on the envoys but he grieved the Lord and endangered the kingdom and the city.
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