I thought this particular sin was worth a mention, since it’s one I personally struggle with. It can be very tempting to think that we have a handle on ourselves, that we are superior because we don’t find ourselves tempted in some particular way. Sometimes, we can even miss when we are letting ourselves develop pride.
The problem with pride is that it usually leads to other things. It’s bad enough that we might think ourselves better than someone else. But then the resulting sins begin to pile up. When that happens, relationships begin to break apart. People stop wanting to associate with us because we have become unpleasant.
I bring this up because I was reflecting on a recent message at church. Our pastor was speaking about gossip. I recall thinking, after the service was over, that I wished our pastor had addressed one very serious problem I’ve seen with gossip: Gossip often masquerades as “prayer requests.”
What does that have to do with pride?
I realized that I think one thing that lies buried beneath gossip is a prideful heart–especially when it’s delivered as a line item on the prayer list. The person gossiping knows something other people don’t know; that puts them in a position of power. And being able to gossip without sounding like you’re doing something wrong brings even more power. I suspect that delivers a special kind of high.
Because my brain works this way, one thought led to another and I realized that gossip isn’t the only way in which we can sneak out sins without looking like we are, like hiding a dog’s medicine in its food. Others may be left confused or surprised, unsure whether we actually did anything at all. Sure, some may suspect, but the majority will only have a vague sense that something just isn’t right.
I think that, like gossipy prayer requests, these other cleverly disguised sins stem from pride. It may be a reluctance to admit that we are capable of sin, a belief that we are above the law but that others “wouldn’t understand,” or a power trip. Any way you slice it, it’s bad news.
The good news is that it isn’t unforgivable. It isn’t any worse than any other kind of sin. But we do need to own it, repent of it, and release it. Where is pride striking your heart today?
