pride

Maybe pride is not the primeval sin, but unbelief as in doubting God and his word (as I think Biddle says in what really is a most excellent book on sin, even if one does not agree with him across the board). Pride is on the list of the church's traditional seven deadly sins, and is considered "the original and most serious" sin of them all.

I like Dante's definition or description of pride: "love of self perverted to hatred and contempt for one's neighbor." Pride seems to have been Satan's downfall. But it also is a danger to us as God's people. Even the Apostle Paul was given from God a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of satan, to keep Paul from becoming conceited because of the surpassing great revelations God had given him.

Pride is subtle. As soon as we think we're humble we easily slip into pride. In fact to think we're humble is probably well off the mark since the mark of humility is Jesus himself. He alone could say, "I am humble/meek and gentle in heart," and that be entirely true. Not to say we can't and shouldn't have humility. We can be "poor in spirit" and yet end up becoming lofty in our own estimation of that, and thus end up being proud.

John describes it as a part of "the world" which we're not to love: "the pride of life". We end up exalting ourselves; life revolves around us and all things (including God) are meant to serve us and make us happy. This is one possible common effect of pride. Another is to just simply put up with one's fellow inferiors. And think that what one has to say or do is what needs to be said or done. Or that there are only a few fit for my fellowship.

But I wonder if the best way to understand pride is to look at its polar opposite. We see that in Christ, and as his community we're to live that out. It's a love that values others above one's self and demonstrates that love in service and sacrifice, if need be even of life itself. But it's a love and humility that finds its continual source in God. Only in Christ and together can we really begin to live this out. But don't look too closely or think you see it, because then it is gone.

Any thoughts or stories out there to help us?