Pride is one of the worst sins. It is one that God hates. I am referring to the selfish pride that makes one feel better than other people. That is what turned Lucifer, the angel of light, into Satan the devil. God tells us in His Word, “You have said in your heart, ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:12-15).

Lucifer made the awful mistake of wanting to be God. Fallen man also wants to be God. This is evident in all “independent thinkers,” those who want to run their own lives to the exclusion of God. We live in a whole society of such people, although, thankfully, there is still a remnant of those who know it is best to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

The problem with many “intellectuals” is pride, pride in their own mentality. This is a great mistake and always unwise. No one is intelligent enough to independently lead a good life. We all need God and His wisdom. We all need to depend upon Him for direction in our lives and for wise choices we must make every day.

Proverbs 29:23 warns, “A man’s pride will bring him low.” Proverbs 28:26 tells us, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” Man was created to give God glory and fellowship. But every person, except Jesus of Nazareth, has been a sinner, a rebel who wants to be independent of God. This is very unwise. A Christian, one who has trusted his soul to Christ, has been given the Holy Spirit to live in his heart and to help, counsel,, and comfort him. Prideful, lost people find dependence on God revolting. Many of them do not even believe that God exists. How very foolish and naïve!

Why does God want us dependent on Him? He knows best. He knows the best choice for us to make in any situation. Wise people know this and make us of the help God offers. As a pastor, I always preach, “Pray first about everything. and always ask for God’s help.” Doing this makes us much more successful and effective in everything we attempt.

Christians are God’s children. and He wants to help us and to bless us with many good things. However we need to be receptive and as obedient as we can. Not that obedience, or anything else we do, can buy our salvation or assurance of heaven. That is by God’s grace alone. and it is free to all wise enough to receive it by trusting their soul to Christ

Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven.