October 15th, 2025
Sin Isn’t What You Think It Is
When people hear the word sin, they often think of something spooky, shameful, or condemning. But sin isn’t just a list of “don’ts.”
Sin is God looking into your future and saying, “That thing has the potential to hurt you.”
It’s not restriction—it’s protection.
Think of it as a guardrail on a dangerous road. God’s warnings about sin are His way of saying, “Stay in your lane so you don’t destroy yourself.”
Last night, I was driving with my family and got stuck in a detour on Route 30. There was an 18-wheeler beside me that kept drifting out of its lane. I kept thinking, “Just stay in your lane, man—you’re going to hurt someone.”
That’s exactly how sin works. God says, “Stay in your lane,” not because He’s mean, but because He loves you too much to let you crash.
When Kings Fall
Throughout the Bible, kings were chosen, anointed, and empowered by God—but many were destroyed, not by armies, but by their own sins.
It wasn’t enemies that dethroned them—it was iniquity that corroded their hearts.
And here’s the truth: every believer today is called to reign with Christ. 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV) says,
We are royalty in God’s Kingdom, and the same sins that took down ancient kings are still trying to destroy the kings and queens God has raised up today.
Sin has always been the ultimate destroyer. The Jews didn’t kill Jesus. The Romans didn’t kill Jesus. Our sin nailed Him to the cross.
But through the resurrection, Jesus reversed the curse. He dethroned sin and gave us authority over the very thing that used to enslave us.
If sin was powerful enough to kill the Son of God, we can’t afford to take it lightly.
Sin Crouching at the Door
Genesis 4:7 (NLT) says,
I love that image—sin crouching. It reminds me of our cat, Kippy. She hides under the bed and waits for Sarah’s feet to get close before she pounces!
That’s what sin does—it hides, it waits, and it wants to pounce. But the verse gives us the key: you must rule over it. Either sin rules you, or you rule sin.
The Invisible Killer
In 1938, Walt Disney built his parents a new home. Not long after moving in, both were found dead. The cause? Carbon monoxide poisoning—odorless, tasteless, invisible, yet deadly.
That’s what pride is. Pride is the carbon monoxide of the soul.
You can’t see it. You can’t smell it. You can’t feel it. But left unchecked, it’s fatal.
The only defense against carbon monoxide is a detector—something that alerts you when danger is near.
That’s what God’s Word and these sermons are meant to be: warning lights saying, “Be careful, pride will destroy you if you don’t catch it early.”
Pride: The Root of Every Fall
Pride rarely shows up as arrogance. It hides under compliments and disguises itself as confidence. It whispers, “You’ve got this. You don’t need help.”
But that’s the most dangerous attitude of all.
In God’s Kingdom, the danger isn’t falling down—grace can lift you up.
The danger is standing so tall that you no longer look up.
The King Who Ate Grass
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon ruled over one of the most powerful empires in history. He built golden palaces and even a 90-foot statue of himself. Pride whispered, “Look what I’ve built.”
Daniel 4:30 (NKJV) says,
While those words were still in his mouth, God’s judgment fell. He lost his mind, lived like an animal, and ate grass for seven years—until he realized that God alone is King.
Pride dethroned him. Humility restored him.
Daniel 4:34 (NKJV) says,
He started looking down from his balcony, but his restoration came when he looked up.
Old Testament vs. New Testament: God’s Discipline
In the Old Testament, before Jesus came, the wrath of God was poured out directly. But on the cross, the full wrath of God was poured on Jesus once and for all.
So today, God doesn’t send sickness, financial collapse, or disaster to “teach us a lesson.” That would make Him unjust and imply the cross wasn’t enough.
However, when we ignore His message and reject His messenger, He allows us to reap the consequences of our choices.
Galatians 6:7 (NKJV) reminds us,
The Pattern of Pride
Pride was the first sin ever committed—long before humanity.
Isaiah 14:12-15 (NKJV) records Lucifer’s fall:
Notice the repetition—I will.
Pride is always centered on “I.”
It’s the same lie the serpent told Eve: “You will be like God.”
Pride is independence from God. It says, “I don’t need You.”
Whenever you choose your way over God’s way, you’re in pride.
That’s why Proverbs 8:13 (NLT) says,
How Pride Blinds Us
Pride makes us unteachable and unreachable. You can’t correct someone who thinks they’re always right.
It’s easy to think everyone else has the problem—but sometimes we’re the common denominator.
If every friendship ends in conflict, if every church “just doesn’t fit,” maybe the issue isn’t them—it’s us.
That’s why Romans 12:3 (NLT) says,
The humble heart says, “God, search me. Fix me first.”
Pride in Our Culture
Our culture glorifies self—self-image, self-promotion, self-expression. Over 90 million selfies are taken every day. But you rarely hear anyone talk about self-denial.
Pride was Satan’s fall, and it’s still his favorite weapon. It’s the silent killer of our generation.
Five Ways to Kill Pride
1. Prayer
Prayer bends the knee and the heart. It reminds us that we depend on God, not ourselves.
Fasting humbles the flesh. It reminds the body that you’re in charge.
If you can’t say no to a piece of cake, how will you say no to sin?
Fasting teaches your soul to listen to the Spirit, not your cravings.
3. Serving Others
Serving is humility in motion.
Jesus washed feet. He said,
Pride thrives in isolation; humility grows in community.
Proverbs says,
Worship shifts the focus from self to Savior.
Every time we lift our hands, we lower our hearts. Worship dethrones self and enthrones Christ.
Humility Restores Perspective
When Nebuchadnezzar looked down from his balcony, he fell.
When he looked up to heaven, he was restored.
Pride distorts vision. Humility restores it.
If you want to rise high in life, bow low before God.
A Prayer of Humility
When people hear the word sin, they often think of something spooky, shameful, or condemning. But sin isn’t just a list of “don’ts.”
Sin is God looking into your future and saying, “That thing has the potential to hurt you.”
It’s not restriction—it’s protection.
Think of it as a guardrail on a dangerous road. God’s warnings about sin are His way of saying, “Stay in your lane so you don’t destroy yourself.”
Last night, I was driving with my family and got stuck in a detour on Route 30. There was an 18-wheeler beside me that kept drifting out of its lane. I kept thinking, “Just stay in your lane, man—you’re going to hurt someone.”
That’s exactly how sin works. God says, “Stay in your lane,” not because He’s mean, but because He loves you too much to let you crash.
When Kings Fall
Throughout the Bible, kings were chosen, anointed, and empowered by God—but many were destroyed, not by armies, but by their own sins.
It wasn’t enemies that dethroned them—it was iniquity that corroded their hearts.
And here’s the truth: every believer today is called to reign with Christ. 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV) says,
“You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people.”
We are royalty in God’s Kingdom, and the same sins that took down ancient kings are still trying to destroy the kings and queens God has raised up today.
Sin has always been the ultimate destroyer. The Jews didn’t kill Jesus. The Romans didn’t kill Jesus. Our sin nailed Him to the cross.
But through the resurrection, Jesus reversed the curse. He dethroned sin and gave us authority over the very thing that used to enslave us.
If sin was powerful enough to kill the Son of God, we can’t afford to take it lightly.
Sin Crouching at the Door
Genesis 4:7 (NLT) says,
“Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
I love that image—sin crouching. It reminds me of our cat, Kippy. She hides under the bed and waits for Sarah’s feet to get close before she pounces!
That’s what sin does—it hides, it waits, and it wants to pounce. But the verse gives us the key: you must rule over it. Either sin rules you, or you rule sin.
The Invisible Killer
In 1938, Walt Disney built his parents a new home. Not long after moving in, both were found dead. The cause? Carbon monoxide poisoning—odorless, tasteless, invisible, yet deadly.
That’s what pride is. Pride is the carbon monoxide of the soul.
You can’t see it. You can’t smell it. You can’t feel it. But left unchecked, it’s fatal.
The only defense against carbon monoxide is a detector—something that alerts you when danger is near.
That’s what God’s Word and these sermons are meant to be: warning lights saying, “Be careful, pride will destroy you if you don’t catch it early.”
Pride: The Root of Every Fall
Pride rarely shows up as arrogance. It hides under compliments and disguises itself as confidence. It whispers, “You’ve got this. You don’t need help.”
But that’s the most dangerous attitude of all.
In God’s Kingdom, the danger isn’t falling down—grace can lift you up.
The danger is standing so tall that you no longer look up.
The King Who Ate Grass
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon ruled over one of the most powerful empires in history. He built golden palaces and even a 90-foot statue of himself. Pride whispered, “Look what I’ve built.”
Daniel 4:30 (NKJV) says,
“Is not this great Babylon that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”
While those words were still in his mouth, God’s judgment fell. He lost his mind, lived like an animal, and ate grass for seven years—until he realized that God alone is King.
Pride dethroned him. Humility restored him.
Daniel 4:34 (NKJV) says,
“And at the end of the time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me.”
He started looking down from his balcony, but his restoration came when he looked up.
Old Testament vs. New Testament: God’s Discipline
In the Old Testament, before Jesus came, the wrath of God was poured out directly. But on the cross, the full wrath of God was poured on Jesus once and for all.
So today, God doesn’t send sickness, financial collapse, or disaster to “teach us a lesson.” That would make Him unjust and imply the cross wasn’t enough.
However, when we ignore His message and reject His messenger, He allows us to reap the consequences of our choices.
Galatians 6:7 (NKJV) reminds us,
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
The Pattern of Pride
Pride was the first sin ever committed—long before humanity.
Isaiah 14:12-15 (NKJV) records Lucifer’s fall:
“I will ascend…I will exalt…I will sit…I will ascend…I will be like the Most High.”
Notice the repetition—I will.
Pride is always centered on “I.”
It’s the same lie the serpent told Eve: “You will be like God.”
Pride is independence from God. It says, “I don’t need You.”
Whenever you choose your way over God’s way, you’re in pride.
That’s why Proverbs 8:13 (NLT) says,
“All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.”
How Pride Blinds Us
Pride makes us unteachable and unreachable. You can’t correct someone who thinks they’re always right.
It’s easy to think everyone else has the problem—but sometimes we’re the common denominator.
If every friendship ends in conflict, if every church “just doesn’t fit,” maybe the issue isn’t them—it’s us.
That’s why Romans 12:3 (NLT) says,
“Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves.”
The humble heart says, “God, search me. Fix me first.”
Pride in Our Culture
Our culture glorifies self—self-image, self-promotion, self-expression. Over 90 million selfies are taken every day. But you rarely hear anyone talk about self-denial.
Pride was Satan’s fall, and it’s still his favorite weapon. It’s the silent killer of our generation.
Five Ways to Kill Pride
1. Prayer
Prayer bends the knee and the heart. It reminds us that we depend on God, not ourselves.
“He who humbles himself will be exalted.” — Luke 18:14 (NLT)
2. FastingFasting humbles the flesh. It reminds the body that you’re in charge.
If you can’t say no to a piece of cake, how will you say no to sin?
Fasting teaches your soul to listen to the Spirit, not your cravings.
3. Serving Others
Serving is humility in motion.
Jesus washed feet. He said,
“The greatest among you shall be your servant.” — Matthew 23:11 (NLT)
God’s kingdom begins with a towel, not a title.
Pride thrives in isolation; humility grows in community.
Proverbs says,
“In the multitude of counselors there is safety.” — Proverbs 11:14 (NKJV)
Find people who will tell you the truth in love—not just what you want to hear.
Worship shifts the focus from self to Savior.
Every time we lift our hands, we lower our hearts. Worship dethrones self and enthrones Christ.
Humility Restores Perspective
When Nebuchadnezzar looked down from his balcony, he fell.
When he looked up to heaven, he was restored.
Pride distorts vision. Humility restores it.
If you want to rise high in life, bow low before God.
A Prayer of Humility
“Father,
If there are areas in my life where pride has taken root, forgive me.
Where I’ve served myself instead of serving You—change my heart.
Restore a humble spirit within me.
I enthrone You again as King of my life.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
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