The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Proverbs 16:5

Wisdom, pride, and purity seem to be at the core of the Book of Proverbs. And because we are slow to learn, He needed to repeat it any number of times.

Detest is a strong word here. It’s certainly intentional. It has to do with the very reason Satan and his minions are where they are now: pride. It is me on the “throne.”

But you say, “certainly it’s more complex than that.” Actually no. Pride is at the root of most (and probably all) sin. Pick a sin: gossip. Gossip comes from prideful people, people who are “better” than someone else.

Or how about lying. Lying is not telling the truth for any number of reasons. Often it’s because you are covering over something you did or said before. You are hiding. You are saying that what you are covering is more important than the truth.

But we also know that pride is often more subtle than other sins. Usually others have to point it out before we recognize it.

Today, pray that you will have others in your life who have permission to confront you with pride when they see it and that you’ll accept that rebuke gracefully.