Sins of the Heart-Pride
Romans 12:1-3
Introduction
• Last Sunday we began a series of lessons considering “sins of
the heart”
• These are sinful attitudes toward self, toward God, other
people and toward material things
• These reside in the inner person of the heart
• These may go unnoticed by neighbors and associates
• They will condemn the person who harbors them in the day of
judgment- I Tim 5:24
What Pride Is-1
• Pride is the opposite of humility
• Paul gives us a simple definition of pride in Romans 12:3
• It is thinking more of ourselves than we should
• It is the result of a perceived ability or advantage that we have
• Paul is warning about pride resulting from spiritual gifts that
some of the Roman Christians had
• Pride may be due to many different things
What Pride Is-2
• It may be due to natural abilities
• Or it may be the result of race, possessions, education or social
position or connections
• It not only causes us to over evaluate self but also to think less of
others who lack our advantage or ability
• Pride is an acceptable sin to many people today
• Americans have a lot of things that can be a source of pride
• Pride is a danger to every christian today
Warnings About Pride
• The Lord warns us about this sin both by teaching and example
• Paul said it was the condemnation of the Devil- I Tim. 3:6
• One of the avenues of temptation that he uses- I Jn. 2:16
• It makes Christians like the Devil
• God hates pride- Prov. 6:17
• Because it is contrary to His nature and His will
• Pride will result in destruction- Prov. 16:18
• Sometimes in this life but always in eternity
Results of Pride-1
• Pride is a root sin that leads to many others
1. Pride causes some to brag or boast about their attributes and
their accomplishments
• This is an expression of pride that other people do not appreciate
• Nebuchadnezzar boasted of his works- Dan. 4:30
• And was made to live as a wild animal because of it
• The Pharisee boasted to God of his good works- Lk. 18:12
• The scriptures teach us to let others praise us- Prov. 27:2
Results of Pride-2
2. Pride causes people to think they deserve greater honor
• Haman thought he must be the one whom the king intended to
honor- Est. 6:6
• He was humbled by having to lead Mordecai through the city
• The scribes and the Pharisees coveted the chief seats at the feasts
and in the synagogues- Mt. 23:6
• Jesus taught just the opposite- Lk. 14:10
• The Lord will exalt those who humble themselves- I Pet. 5:5-6
Results of Pride-3
3. Pride causes people to look down on those who lack their
ability or advantage
• To consider and treat others as inferiors
• This may result in neglecting those who need help
• The proud may try to harm those who offend them
• Haman plotted to destroy a whole nation over one perceived
insult- Est. 3:6
4. Pride makes one more vulnerable to temptation- I Cor. 10:12
Results of Pride-4
5. Pride will cause conflict and division- Prov. 13:10
• Proud people usually insist on having their own way
• That attitude will eventually lead to conflict and division
• Diotrephes loved to have the preeminence- III John 9
• He rejected the messengers of the apostle John and cast out
those members who received them
• He desired the place and authority that belongs only to ChristCol. 1:18
Results of Pride-5
6. Pride blinds people to their own sins
• King Saul told Samuel, “But I have obeyed the voice of the LORD,”I Sam. 15:20
• It caused the Pharisee in the temple to praise himself rather than
ask forgiveness for his sins- Lk. 18:11-12
• It causes people today minimize the seriousness of their sins
7. Pride affects one’s attitude toward God and His word
Results of Pride-6
• It causes one to elevate his/her own ideas and opinions
• In his pride, King Saul thought obeying the part of God’s
instructions with which he agreed was as good as obeying all
• Many people make the same mistake today
• Others think they can improve upon God’s instructions
• God’s thoughts and ways are far higher than the wisest of menIsa. 55:9
How We Can Avoid Pride
• We must remember that God hates pride
• And that He loves others as much as He loves us
• We need to love others as we love ourselves- Jas. 2:8
• We need to remember the source of all the advantages and
blessings that we enjoy- I Cor. 4:7
• And that the proud cannot please the Lord
• Are you humbly following Christ this morning?