The Problem of Pride

Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 1:7)

Jude 1:7 pleads with us to pay attention to history. I’ve heard it said that those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it. We are asked to remember the repercussions of the angels who, in their pride and rebellion, faced judgment for abandoning God’s way.

Pride, he reminded us, is the audacious declaration that God's wisdom is unnecessary and that our wisdom is much more important, personal and has greater purpose. Those who label themselves as progressive echo this very sentiment. They call themselves progressive because they assume their reasoning has progressed beyond the Bible and their feelings are more important than God’s laws.

Jude brought up Sodom and Gomorrah because their pride of progressiveness caused the entire city to be burned to the ground and entirely laid to waste. Why did God do that incredibly destructive act? Because the land itself had become contaminated. The sin and perversion of pride that pervaded Sodom and Gomorrah was spreading to the other cities nearby, and they were becoming just as evil as their neighboring towns.

What were these specific crimes against God? One is easy to tell, as the word sodomy that we know of today is derived directly from the name of the infamous city. The historical definition, from Webster's 1828 dictionary, classifies sodomy as a crime against nature. It is a fleshly act of personal pleasure seeking, fed by pride, that can severely damage a life and a community. The person who engages in sodomy forgets about the consequences of the fleshly act, and those consequences can destroy everything. It all begins with pride.

Pride destroys nations, pride destroys communities, pride destroys families, and pride destroys individual purposes. Get rid of it quickly and thoroughly.

Practical Application

The opposite of pride is humility. The best way to root out pride in our hearts is to find opportunities to serve others with no desire of recognition or praise.

Deuteronomy 29:23; Genesis 19:5

The Courtroom and the Blood

And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly. (2 Peter 2:6)

2 Peter 2:6 talks about Sodom and Gomorrha as an example for all who would walk in ways that are against God’s design and order. This isn’t just a story for us to remember; it's a testament to the seriousness of every choice we make. The story of Sodom and Gomorrha should be a reminder that there will be a day when our acts are judged. In fact, John wrote in Revelation 20:12 about an ultimate courtroom scene. Imagine standing before the Almighty with the books of every deed you ever had done laid open in front of you. In this moment, both the small and great, the mighty and the meek, all stand before God on the equal footing. It's a spiritual trial, a courtroom where Jesus, the greatest Attorney, stands before God the Father as Prosecutor and Judge.

When you think of it in this context, the word judgment takes on a deeper meaning—it's an actual trial—a legal procedure with real consequences. Now, thinking of this may make you nervous or upset or even convicted as you think what your day of judgment may be like.

Romans 3:23 reminds us that all have fallen short of the glory of God. That would not be good news if it ended there. However, we have something greater than the best lawyer in all history—we have the blood of Jesus. For those who are born again, the blood becomes a shield, transforming the guilty into the innocent, transforming those who deserve punishment to those who receive mercy. When the blood of Jesus is applied, the high court of God declares, "Not guilty!" as death and hell are cast into the lake of fire.

What a powerful revelation of righteousness! What a testimony of mercy you and I have! Don’t forget to plead the blood of Jesus and don’t forget to thank Him for His precious gift.

Practical Application

God doesn’t want you to feel condemned about your past, but rather to be led into living a righteous lifestyle because of His great mercy. Thank Him today for His mercy He gives to you.

Revelation 20:12; Matthew 16:27

Giants and Godlessness

There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. (Genesis 6:4)

Giants came from the fallen angels that had rebelled against God and then walked in their fallen nature. These giants posed a genuine threat during those times. Their descendants were the ones that scared the ten spies from the twelve tribes of Israel from entering the land. However, they did not intimidate Joshua and Caleb!

These angels who sinned against God’s way will not be spared; they will be cast down to hell and confined in chains of absolute and utter darkness. God is not lax in His judgment against unrighteousness. There is always a consequence for rebellion.

In fact, the flood that engulfed the old world, sparing only Noah and his family, was a testament to God's unwavering commitment to righteousness.

God has a perfect will, a divine plan, and a purpose for your life. When we purposely pursue unrighteousness, not only do we miss out on God’s blessings, but also subject ourselves to giant consequences that are difficult to handle.

Make a conscious decision to find God’s will and follow God’s will in all situations. Walk in the blessing and get yourself away from the giants of rebellion as much as possible.

Practical Application

Choose the path of obedience. God’s way always yields positive results, whereas the ways of the flesh may feel good for the moment, but always end up in consequences that try to hold us back from God’s best.

Numbers 13:13; Deuteronomy 3:11