Pride Come Before Destruction

​Throughout the month of June, there are a lot of events and sayings concerning pride.  Without the insertion of opinion, which many people allow to override the Word of God, the Bible has plenty to say regarding this subject.  “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2).  “All who fear the Lord will hate evil.  Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech” (Proverbs 8:13).  “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).  “But he giveth more grace.  Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6).  “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself” (Galatians 6:3).  By now the question may have risen “Does this writer even know what pride month is”?  Yes, the writer does.  The Word of God also has a lot to say about homosexuality.  “Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman.  It is a detestable sin” (Leviticus 18:22).  “Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived, misled: neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality, nor cheats, swindlers and thieves, nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).  “For this reason God gave them over and abandoned them to vile affections and degrading passions.  For their women exchanged their natural function for an unnatural and abnormal one, and the men also turned from natural relations with women and were set ablaze, burning out, consumed, with lust for one another-men committing shameful acts with men and suffering in their own bodies and personalities the inevitable consequences and penalty of their wrong-doing and going astray, which was their fitting retribution” (Romans 1:26-27).  “And then He (Jesus) added, It is what comes from inside that defiles you.  For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.  All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you” (Mark 7:20-23).  Jesus discusses both of these topics here in this last scripture listed.  Both of these sins can and should be repented of.  No matter the sin within one’s life, it should be repented of to have a right standing with God.   “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him” (Acts 17:30).  “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them (repent), they will receive mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).  “I tell you, No; but unless you repent (change your mind for the better and heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), you will all likewise perish and be lost eternally” (Luke 13:3).  Jesus describes the need for everyone to repent of their sins or they cannot be in right standing with God.  Everyone needs Jesus regardless of their type of sin, background, or current religious status.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  Without accepting the free gift Jesus has purchased for everyone, the alternative is death as the wages of sin (Romans 6:23).  May everyone choose life in God through Jesus Christ.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.