Pride

Pride. What do think of when you think of pride? We tend to think of pride as something that we should avoid. A sin that entangles. And it is. I was thinking about pride today, with its ensnaring characteristics, and wondering. If pride is so sly and so capable of sneaking up on us, then there must be other areas of sin where pride is the root cause; however hidden. For example, pride generally must be a ruling element in order for one to take offense. There must be something to offend, and pride is usually it. Without pride, you often wouldn't get offended when "You had every right to".
It's pride that keeps us from being healthier, happier Christians, we all know that. But in subtle ways it works that truth. We fake stuff for the sake of pride, especially around other Christians, like it was a competition! At church when someone asks how we're doing, pride helps us grin like a used car salesman and say, "Blessed and highly favored", but without living it, without even believing it. We can be struggling inside, only to keep up an illusion meant to show everyone that we're still doing okay. Like it's weak of us to need help. At church of all places! (Stupendous is the sin that can cause you to not seek support at church!!) Really though, it just keeps up walls. Walls that we trap ourselves behind and that are difficult to see over, let alone to break down. Because the longer you keep up an illusion, the harder it is to be open, to be real again.
Pride is the invisible dominator. It's power is strengthened the longer it is allowed to take hold on us. We all know of obvious examples of pride, but it likes us to only focus on those factors, ignoring the sick damage it can cause over time when hidden as a fuel for other sins. A gateway to loneliness, it divides and conquers more than other sin. Its specialty is separation, not just from God, but fellow man. Let's raise our guard, absolutely abhor pride, and make it weak. This will create synergy amongst us. You can't put a price on the benefits of that.