Is It Pride, or What?

     Most, if not all of us have traditionally been taught that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for sexual immorality. That is not quite accurate. [Ezekiel 16:15 is a really good example of the sequence of sin]--that the beginning of sin is pride, arrogance and not caring for or about "your sister". Read, slowly Ezekiel 16:48-59, *verse 56, NKJV]. 

     What I think we miss with this simplified reason for the destruction of sin (in us) is that all sin has a root. If we deal with the root it will positively impact the health, growth, and well-being of the entire organism--whatever or whomever that may be. Sodom and Gomorrah didn't start out with sexually deviant behavior...no one does. We have to first think that we know what's best for us--only then, will we do anything to achieve and maintain our comfort. That’s pride. "Anything" is all the sin that we struggle with; not understanding that, sins are a symptom (of something much deeper) and the natural outcome of the pride that lurks in our hearts. 

First comes pride, followed by arrogance, followed by indifference to the needs of others. 

We don’t transgress outwardly, until we first transgress inwardly. I think that we need to address the deep roots of pride are in us. How do we deal with pride? We learn how to love. 

     Love unlocks the door to spiritual wholeness. When we love fully (and in a godly way) good fruit begins to grow. Love is at the root of everything that is good. Pride is at the root of everything that is harmful.    

"Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up...". [1 Corinthians 13:4b, NKJV] 

"Love never fails." [1 Corinthians 13:8a, NKJV] 

"For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Now the works of the flesh are evident ("visible, manifest=phainó), which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."

[Galatians 5:13-26, NKJV]

If we are "walking" in the Spirit, there's no room for pride. Love tramples pride underfoot. 

Love not only "covers a multitude of sins", but agape (godly) love will keep you.  

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,

And to present you faultless

Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

To God our Savior,

Who alone is wise,

Be glory and majesty,

Dominion and power,

Both now and forever.

Amen (so, let it be)."

I think Jude makes it pretty clear that "God, our Savior" is the only One that has the right to be proud. 

*Jude 1:12, Galatians 5:13, Romans 13:8-10, Matthew 22:37-40, Ezekiel 16 Isaiah 14:12-15.

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