A Most Common Sin

Have you ever thought about which is the worst sin? It seems that we are often most horrified by the sins that we can see.

Yet what about the ones that are not so visible? I would suggest that perhaps even if pride is not the worst sin, it is definitely one of the most common sins.

Society —even the church— has experienced the pollution of pride and arrogance in the lives of many. Perhaps you have had thoughts such as these: We are better than others because we do not do this or that. We do not sin as others do.

They are wrong, and we are right. The Bible has much to say about pride and those who are proud. One such text is Isaiah 2:11.

I find it interesting that Isaiah, when speaking of the coming of Jesus, says, “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down” (KJV). In fact, Isaiah mentions twice in that chapter (verses 11, 17) that when the arrogance and pride of humankind is humbled, “the LORD alone will be exalted in that day” (verse 11, NIV; emphasis added). How do these texts on pride, especially Isaiah 2:11, apply to our lives today? Just as certain prideful behaviors were observable in Isaiah’s time, this common sin can be observed today in our actions, even when people can’t read our thoughts, by the way we relate to those within our sphere of influence. Let’s ask God to help us pursue a humble spirit, looking at others as equal to ourselves and not “less than.” Then God alone will be exalted in our lives.

Cecilia Nanni