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PRIDE Root of Sin
The most comprehensive list of sins, which are utterly divergent to the holiness of God, is found in the sixth chapter of Proverbs, verses sixteen to nineteen.
These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: (17) A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, (18) a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, (19) a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. (Proverbs 6:16-19)
And the very first sin in the list mentioned by the Spirit of God is that of pride. But this should not be surprising to Christians, since it was the sin of pride that spurred Satan to oppose his Maker, the Living God of the Universe, as seen in the following passages of Scripture.
How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! (13) For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; (14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High. (Isaiah 14:12-14)
not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. (1 Timothy 3:6)
Vanity (pride, narcissism, conceit, egotism, self-importance) continues as mankinds most prevalent and foundational sin. Man is a creature consumed with pride, as seen in the following passage of Scripture.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 1:18-21 [KJV])
Pride is the root of all sin. It percolates every conceivable evil within and throughout society today. No matter the level or the nature of mans existence or involvement, it is pride that spawns that which corrupts all of mans originally well-intended efforts. And one needs not be a keen observer to see the truth of this. Even a cursory examination of society today reveals that in all facets of its structure, e.g., politics, business, sports, religion, etc., the ample evidence of pride is apparent on every hand.
Indeed, it was pride that prompted Eve to disobey Gods instruction in the Garden of Eden as she, desiring to be like God (Genesis 3:5), took and ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in violation of Gods order regarding the matter. She then subsequently involved her husband in the action, which caused their spiritual death. From that time on man has stooped to the sin of pride, an attitude so abysmal and egregious to the Creator, that it occupies the supreme position on His list of most hated sins.
A Sampling of Passages of Scripture on Pride
Job 22:29 When they cast you down, and you say, Exaltation will come! Then He will save the humble person.
Psalm 10:2 The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.
Psalm 18:27 For You will save the humble people, but will bring down haughty looks.
Psalm 31:20a You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the pride of man . . . .
Psalm 101:5 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; the one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, him I will not endure.
Proverbs 6:17 (See page 1)
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.
Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.
Proverbs 13:10 By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.
Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 17:19 He who loves transgression loves strife, and he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.
Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
Proverbs 29:23 A mans pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.
Isaiah 25:11 And He will spread out His hands in their midst as a swimmer reaches out to swim, and He will bring down their pride together with the trickery of their hands.
Daniel 4:30-32 The king spoke, saying, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty? (31) While the word was still in the kings mouth, a voice fell from heaven: King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! (32) And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.
Obadiah 3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; you who say in your heart, Who will bring me down to the ground?
Matthew 23:12 (Luke 14:11) And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Mark 7:20-22 And He said, What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. (21) For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, (22) thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
Luke 18:14b . . . for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Romans 1:18-21 (See page 1)
1 Timothy 3:6 (See page 1)
James 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
1 Peter 5:5, 6 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (6) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world.
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