Bible Study

Title: Pride
Date: Sep 1, 2005
Topic(s): Pride/Humility
Scripture: Isaiah 14:13-14, Genesis 3:4-6

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Do you know what pride and sin have in common? They both have an "I" in the middle. Maybe that's a hint that whenever we let "I" take the center stage, we run into trouble. What kind of trouble? Let's see what the Bible says.

What Does God Say?

Going back into the Old Testament, let's look at the first sin committed before humans were even created. The prophet Isaiah says of Satan (Lucifer):

"For you have said in your heart:
'I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High'" (Isaiah 14:13-14, NKJV).

• What was Satan's ultimate goal?
• Who was in the center of his thoughts?
• This basically boils down to the sin of __________.

Let's fast forward history and stop at that fateful moment in the Garden of Eden. Satan is speaking to Eve and says: "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:4-5, NKJV).

• What is Satan's final promise to Eve?
• How does this compare to Satan's goal according to Isaiah?

Eve's response is found in Genesis 3:6: "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate" (NKJV).

• Who was in the center of Eve's thoughts?
• What similarities do you see between Satan's sin and Eve's sin?

My Thoughts

Think back to the last time you did something wrong. Maybe you took something that didn't belong to you. Maybe you said some unkind words to another person. Who was in the center of your thoughts at that time?

My Part

The things we do wrong take many forms: lying, stealing, cheating. But these outward actions only indicate that we've placed ourselves at the center of our lives--a place that actually belongs to Christ. Prayerfully ask God to forgive you for putting yourself in the center of your life. Seek His help in keeping Him in His rightful place.

Additional Scripture to read: Deuteronomy 6:5; Joshua 22:5

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