The Pride of Your Heart Has Decieved You

          “If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."
                     – 1 John 1:8


Pride is the source of all sin. It was the temptation to be as God, knowing  good and evil, which led to sin in Eden. Satan lied to Eve and deceived her. Paul distinguishes her deception from Adam's transgression. ( 1 Tim.2:12, 2  Cor. 11:3 )

Throughout scripture we see what John described as “the pride of life” (1 John  2:16 ) producing self will, sin and death. Because we are creatures and not the  Creator, all pride is presumption. Because of our sins, it is without excuse. Yet our pride repeatedly leads us into self-deception, and in turn into efforts  to deceive others.

The scriptures contain many references to the sin of deceit, and the New  Testament mentions self-deception at least three times. John's words, quoted  above, point to the connection between self-deception and sin. We must  recognize our sin to be freed.
As we see our sin, we see that we have no reason  for pride.

When we realize pride and self-deception are related, we begin to see the  cycles involved. Those that fail to see their sin become increasingly proud,  while those that are led by the Spirit, see their sins, confess them, and are  perfected in humility. Jesus invited us to himself on the basis of his self- description, “I am meek and lowly in heart,..” Meekness is strength under  control. It balances with humility to produce the whole man the Creator  intended. Jesus was precisely what a man should be.

Pride keeps us full of ourselves, rather than emptied, so that there is no room for the Spirit to fill us with the life of Jesus. The birth from above is essential to begin the restoration of the image of God that has been twisted by  the reach to “ be as God ”. The new birth is assumed by many who assemble each week. The variety among the churches is not our vital problem. There is no  life among many who profess Christ because the birth from above has not pricked their heart.

The fruit of the Spirit cannot be produced because the seed of God's word has never been received. There has been no surrender to God. The result is the dead trying to act alive without God-given faith. Emphasis upon distinctives in teaching and practice among churches becomes a diversion to keep us from seeing our own self-will and sins. Stephen's words are always relevant,
“ You do always resist the Holy Spirit, as your fathers did, so do you. ” – Acts 7:51 Our resistance must end to receive Jesus' life.

Gathering in Jesus' name, we ought to reflect his self-description, “ I am meek and lowly in heart ,..” Those that come seeking God should see some reflection of Jesus in us. Proud hearts called for his death. Puffed up people accepted a fornicator at Corinth. Our pride will deceive us to justify a variety of evil as well. Jesus said, “ You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight . ” – Luke 16:15

Pride must end for us to say with Paul, “ For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing ;” - Romans 7:18a.
Pride disposes us to believe Satan's lie that our sin is too bad to be forgiven, that no one would love us if they knew our sin, or to believe our illusion, that our image is too valuable to be surrendered, to be cleansed and clothed with J esus' eternal  life .

The truth is, it is not too late for anyone to come , “ for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest unto your souls .”