Read Genesis 3:1-6.

Just as there are physical diseases that untreated will kill us, there are also deadly sins that are terminal to our souls, destroying character, esteem and relationships. One of the deadliest and root of all the other sins is pride. The serpent tempted Eve not in belief of God but in terms of trusting in God. His agenda was to get Adam and Eve away from God by believing in self-trust and total self dependency. This deadly sin of pride says we know best, can make our own decisions and destiny, and ultimately put us in the place of God.

• Believing in God and trusting in God are two very different things. What area in your life do you struggle the most trusting in God?
• In your daily life are you more God dependent or self dependent? Explain.

Read Genesis 3:7-12 & 4:9. Although we were created to be interdependent with God and each other, the first thing that pride causes is independence and isolation. Not only did Adam and Eve try to isolate themselves from God, they also began isolating themselves from each other. This attitude of independence and self-sufficiency leads us to selfishness and indifference where our lives become to busy for others and meeting our own needs outweighs all other things.

• How do you define dependence? Name people in your life in whom you depend.
• Name a time your self sufficiency isolated you from deepening a close relationship with another person.
• How have you been anesthetized or become indifferent to the plight of people around you in need?

Self-sufficiency caused by our pride is really only a delusion of being in control when in actuality we are not. In fact we are really either led and empowered by the Holy Spirit or driven by our own appetites and desires which we can’t control. And when pride meets hunger and desire, we will end up doing things that are unthinkable.

• Describe a time that pride kept you from seeking the help you really needed.
• Have you recently experienced a battle between being led by the Spirit or driven by your appetite or desire? Explain.
• How is the Holy Spirit leading your life on a daily basis?

Read II Kings 5:1. The antidote to pride is humility and everyday dependence upon God. Just as Naaman was a valiant soldier yet had leprosy we need to remember that we are still weak and very much in need, even when we experience God’s success and blessing. We must remain God-dependent and put our trust in God not forgetting who it is that has brought us this far. Read Deuteronomy 8:10-11.

• How has God blessed you? Describe a time you forgot God while living in blessings of God.
• How will you fight the deadly sin of pride in your life and maintain your dependence upon God?