The serpent told the Woman, “You won’t die. God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you’ll see what’s really going on. You’ll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil.” Genesis 3:4-5 (The Message)
I have been of the opinion for some time that there is really only one sin- pride. You know, that sin that got Adam and Eve kicked out of the Garden. I define pride roughly as “He is God, I’m not, and I’m mad about it!”
What do I mean by that? Well, Satan tempted the Garden dwellers to “become like God”. We all “want what we want when we want it”, and unless we have developed a sense of discipline, of humility, and patience, that attitude will get us into big trouble. We tend to have a sense of entitlement to things that we want, or maybe even think we deserve.
All other sins derive from that attitude of self-serving and entitlement that pride entails. Envy, stealing, lying, adultery, murder etc. all stem from a sense of “entitlement to my own way”, often at any cost or, sadly, the cost of others.
So, let’s keep it simple. One sin that can be played out in many ways- pride.
Prayer: Lord, help us to see pride for what it is- the desire to be our own god, Amen
Reflections of a Counselor 