Life Application Study Bible Seven Deadly Sins - Flipbook - Page 3
1.
PRIDE
Pride is excessive belief in one’s own abilities that interferes with an individual’s recognition of the
grace of God. It has been called the sin from which all others arise. As the “greatest” sin, pride is the
deepest rebellion and root of all other sins. It is a violation of the first commandment to love God above
all else, an exaltation of oneself onto the throne of one’s own heart.
Just as pride is the foundational sin, so humility is the primary antidote (Matthew 5:3). The virtue of
humility makes us indifferent to worldly power, prestige, and riches so that we might keep our focus on
God, who alone is our supreme joy.
SCRIPTURES AND LIFE APPLICATION NOTES
Proverbs 16:18-19, NLT: “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. Better to live
humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.”
LIFE APPLICATION NOTE: 16:18 Proud people take little account of their weaknesses and do not
anticipate stumbling blocks. They think they are better and smarter than other people. When in this state
of mind, they are easily tripped up. Ironically, proud people seldom realize that pride is their problem,
although others around them know it well. Although hard to do, ask someone you trust whether pride has
blinded you to warning signs. If you don’t think you need to do this, pride may already be controlling you
more than you think. So humble yourself and ask someone. This person may help you avoid a fall.
Philippians 2:5-11, NLT: “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he
did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he
took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated
him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of
Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
LIFE APPLICATION NOTE: 2:5-11 People often excuse selfishness, pride, or evil by claiming their rights.
They think, I can cheat on this test; after all, I deserve to pass this class. Or I can spend all this money on
myself—I worked hard for it. Or My weekend belongs to me; I just don’t have time to help others. But as
believers, we should have a different attitude, one that enables us to lay aside our rights in order to serve
others. If we say we follow Christ, we must also say we want to live as he lived. We should develop his
attitude of humility as we serve, even when we are not likely to get recognition for our efforts. Are you
selfishly clinging to your rights, or are you willing to serve?
The Seven Deadly Sins and their Remedies: A sample of Scripture and Commentary from the new Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition.
