The Invisible Sin

PRIDE is the sin that is often invisible to the naked eye. Only under scrutiny can we find and identify it so that it can be confessed and removed from our lives. It has many names and is manifested in many ways, but no matter how it is masked, it is sin and creates separation from God, who gives us life. From a Biblical perspective, pride is placing ourselves where God belongs – the very center of our lives… the control center. If you claim to be a follower of God, any time that you take control and seek to do things according to our human way of thinking, you have assumed the role of God. That is a job that is too big for any of us!

The reason we seem to be so crippled when it comes to seeing it in our own life is because in our culture, pride it is the norm. I liken it to that commercial where Uncle Si is dressed in camo sitting in a room where everything is camo and he doesn’t think that anyone can see him. The door opens, he is called out and he still is claiming, “you can’t see me.” We have learned from the society in which we live that it is right and proper to take control of our lives. Those who climb to the top by being brave enough to say (with strains of Frank Sinatra in the background), “I did it my way” are among the most admired.

If PRIDE is ruling your heart and your actions and attitudes, your kids are not seeing what it means to be a follower of God. They will see what it means to claim you are a follower and then do what YOU want rather than following. In essence, you are teaching them to disobey and to follow their own desires. They are seeing a life void of power to overcome. That is dangerous! In fact, Jesus said it would be better to have a heavy stone tied around your neck and be thrown into the sea than to mislead a child. This is IMPORTANT! I want our homes to reflect Christ, not selfish pride.

Here is a magnifying glass that may help you see the PRIDE that is camouflaged in your heart so you can recognize who is really calling the shots in your life:

• Is it more important for you to be right than to be like Christ?
• Would you rather win an argument or win the approval of God?
• Are you more likely to try to control how others do things or allow them to do things their way?
• Would you rather suffer the consequences of doing life as our culture does or walk away from the norm and follow Jesus?
• Does your day begin with a prayer for God’s will to be done in your life, or with shouts and commands?
• Would those who live with you say that you are clothed in humility and compassion and gentleness…?

It isn’t too late to put God back on the throne where he belongs! Don’t wait because His plan is waiting to unfold in your life and it is going to be amazing!

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved,

clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 

1 Peter 5:5