Based on "Respectable Sins" by Jerry Bridges, this lesson examines the sin of pride; specifically, pride of moral self-righteousness, doctrinal pride, pride of achievement, and an independent spirit. The fact that God is the source of all our success, that we need to be humble in our doctrine and opinions, and that we need to maintain a teachable spirit are all emphasized.

1. Pride
Based on Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges

2. Luke 18:11
 We are pretty quick to condemn this Pharisee, but ironically we can easily fall into the
same self-righteous attitude.
 We are going to look at the sin of pride, not pride in general but specific expressions of
it that are special temptations to believers.
 We will look at the pride of moral self-righteousness, the pride of correct doctrine, the
pride of achievement, and the pride of an independent spirit.
 For full disclosure, I am NOT free of pride! I am just as guilty as anyone else.
 One of the problems with pride is that we can see it in others, but almost never in
ourselves.
 We need to ask God to reveal to each of us the pride that HE sees in our lives.
 James 4:6, I Peter 5:5

3. Moral Self-Righteousness
 This is the pride of that Pharisee in Luke 18:11
 It expresses itself in a feeling of moral superiority with respect to other people. It is
not limited to believers, but is common in the political and cultural realms of life.
 It’s easy to fall into this sin when society as a whole openly committing or
condoning such flagrant sins as immorality, easy divorce, homosexuality, abortion,
drunkenness, drug use, avarice (greed), and others.
 Because we don’t commit these sins, we tend to feel morally superior and look
down with disdain and contempt on those who do.
 We should not feel contempt for sinners, but pray for them!
 Luke 18:9

4.  This is probably the most common subtle sin, second only to ungodliness.
 We all practice it to some degree, and we sometimes take a perverse pleasure in
discussing how awful society around us is becoming.
 So how do we address this?
 First, seek to have an attitude of humility based on the truth that “there but by the
grace of God go I.”
 None of us is naturally morally upright. Rather, we are just like David in Psalm 52:5.
 We aught to feel deeply grateful that God by His grace has kept us from, or
perhaps rescued us from, such a lifestyle. (Remember last week’s lesson on being
unthankful?)
 Second, we can identify ourselves before God with the sinful society we live in.
 Ezra was a godly man (Ezra 7:10). Yet when he found out about the people’s sin,
his prayer included himself as a guilty party (Ezra 9:6).
 “All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” We are part
of society and thus have a share of guilt.

5. Pride of Correct Doctrine
 The sin of doctrinal pride is the assumption that whatever my doctrinal beliefs are,
they are correct, and anyone who holds another belief is theologically inferior.
 It’s thinking that my doctrinal beliefs are the ONLY correct ones and everyone
else’s beliefs are wrong if they disagree with me. It is being arrogantly
unteachable.
 This doesn’t mean believing anything is okay. If it violates foundational doctrines
of Scripture, it is wrong and should be corrected.
 As examples, the Deity of Christ, the bodily resurrection of Christ, the Trinity,
salvation by grace are all clearly taught by Scripture and should be defended.
 Issues of Christian Liberty, however, can be defended scripturally in multiple ways.
When the Rapture will occur, which version of the Bible is best, personal standards
etc. are areas where opinion enters the picture.

6.  I Corinthians 8:1-13
 Paul charged these believers with pride because their knowledge “puffed” them up
and prevented them from showing love (charity) and edifying others (verse 1).
 “I’m not suggesting that we should not seek to know the truths of Scripture and
develop doctrinal convictions about what the Scriptures teach. I am saying that we
should hold our convictions in humility, realizing that many godly and theologically
capable people hold other convictions.”
 Remember, you may get to heaven and find out you were wrong about some of
your opinions!
 You should prayerfully consider if this is one of your subtle sins. Seek to pinpoint
more precise areas where you tend to be doctrinally proud and ask God to enable
you to hold your convictions with a genuine spirit of humility.

7. Pride of Achievement
 There is a cause and effect relationship between hard work and success in any
endeavor.
 Proverbs 13:4; II Timothy 2:15
 Success in any endeavor is under the sovereign control of God.
 I Samuel 2:7; Psalm 75:6-7
 Deuteronomy 8:17-18. It is God who gives us the power to succeed. There is no
such thing as a “self-made man.”
 I Corinthians 4:7
 You have nothing that did not come to you as a gift from God. Your intellect, your
natural skills and talents, your health, and your opportunities to succeed all come
from God.

8.  The problem is we fail to acknowledge that success came from God. Sure, diligent
effort was involved, but God gave you the ability and desire to succeed and blessed
your efforts. He deserves all the credit!
 Failure to acknowledge that the success has ultimately come from God tends to
promote a pride of achievement that does not honor God.
 Another aspect of the pride of achievement is the inordinate desire for recognition.
 All of us appreciate commendation for a job well done, but what is our attitude when
we do a specific job well and don’t receive recognition?
 Luke 17:10
 When we do a job well or serve faithfully for a long time, our attitude should be “I have
only done that which was my duty to do.”
 All recognition, regardless of its immediate source, ultimately comes from God.
 Psalm 75:6-7
 Our attitude should be “I deserve nothing, and all I do receive – including recognition –
is only of His grace. Therefore if I don’t receive it, I will not fret.’

9. An Independent Spirit
 This type of pride expresses itself primarily in two areas: a resistance to authority,
especially spiritual authority, and an unteachable spirit.
 Often these two attitudes go hand in hand, especially when we are young and think
we know everything.
 The Bible is very clear about submitting to authority. Hebrews 13:17
 The principle of submission and teachability applies in any situation where
someone is under the tutelage or training of a more mature believer.
 If you’ve ever said “Well, I believe __________,” and no appeal is made to Scripture; it
is only your opinion, then you are not willing to grapple with the teachings of
Scripture and have an unteachable spirit.

10.  Proverbs 2:1; 3:1; 4:1; 5:1; 7:1
 Although these are in the context of a father/son relationship, they all express the
principle of teachability, which is a willingness – even a desire – to learn from those
more mature in the faith.
 It doesn’t mean someone has the authority to tell you whom to marry (or not
marry) or where you are to work.
 It does mean there should be someone who has your best interests at heart and
can speak to those and similar issues with wise, biblical counsel.
 It means there are those more mature than you who can help you grow up to
become a mature Christian yourself, able to help others.
 Ask God to bring to your mind any tendencies of pride in these areas and then
confess them as sin.
 As you do, remember God’s promise in Isaiah 66:2.
 Next week, we will look at selfishness.