The Wise Writer tells us in Proverbs 16:18 [RSV], “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” So what does this proverb mean? It means that there is a real need for us to strive to remain humble before our God, not allowing pride to gain the mastery over us. Always remember the inspired words from the pen of the Lord’s brother: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6 [RSV]).
The Scriptures also counsel us: “For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Galatians 6:3 [RSV]). Yes, pride is destructive and deceptive. We are wise to hate “Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech” (Proverbs 8:13 [RSV]) since these are all things the Lord hates. Humility will draw us closer to God. "Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will exalt you" (James 4:10 [RSV]). How sad it was that Eve did not cling to the Lord in her time of trial! How true in the case of Eve did the old adage prove to be: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
With Eve one can see a textbook case of how sin manifests itself. The Apostle John tells us, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.” (1 John 2:16) From our earlier reading we see this all transpiring before our very eyes. When Eve “saw that the tree was good for food,” the “lust of the flesh” stirred within her. Eve gazed further at the fruit and “it was a delight to the eyes.” This is “lust of the eyes” coming to fruition. Finally, when Eve saw “that the tree was to be desired to make one wise” her “pride of life” was awakened.
All sin follows this same path, and when it comes right down to it where the tire meets the pavement, all sin is idolatry, for we are letting our evil desire for something take the place of that which rightfully belongs only to the Lord. The Apostle Paul seems to make this case when he wrote in Colossians 3:5 [RSV], “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
You and I and all mankind everywhere must die because of the consequences of Adam’s one sin committed in the Garden of Eden when he chose to eat of the forbidden fruit. But each one of us has the opportunity, due to God’s amazing grace, to return to the Father when we come to Him through obedient, saving faith. Jesus calls us now, saying, 28. “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30 [RSV])
May the Lord bless you!
The Scriptures also counsel us: “For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Galatians 6:3 [RSV]). Yes, pride is destructive and deceptive. We are wise to hate “Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech” (Proverbs 8:13 [RSV]) since these are all things the Lord hates. Humility will draw us closer to God. "Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will exalt you" (James 4:10 [RSV]). How sad it was that Eve did not cling to the Lord in her time of trial! How true in the case of Eve did the old adage prove to be: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
With Eve one can see a textbook case of how sin manifests itself. The Apostle John tells us, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.” (1 John 2:16) From our earlier reading we see this all transpiring before our very eyes. When Eve “saw that the tree was good for food,” the “lust of the flesh” stirred within her. Eve gazed further at the fruit and “it was a delight to the eyes.” This is “lust of the eyes” coming to fruition. Finally, when Eve saw “that the tree was to be desired to make one wise” her “pride of life” was awakened.
All sin follows this same path, and when it comes right down to it where the tire meets the pavement, all sin is idolatry, for we are letting our evil desire for something take the place of that which rightfully belongs only to the Lord. The Apostle Paul seems to make this case when he wrote in Colossians 3:5 [RSV], “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
You and I and all mankind everywhere must die because of the consequences of Adam’s one sin committed in the Garden of Eden when he chose to eat of the forbidden fruit. But each one of us has the opportunity, due to God’s amazing grace, to return to the Father when we come to Him through obedient, saving faith. Jesus calls us now, saying, 28. “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30 [RSV])
May the Lord bless you!
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