We tend to have pride that our generation is better and wiser and dismiss past generations entirely because of things that we perceive as being unforgivable beliefs and actions. But, hopefully, this sentiment doesn’t make its way into our churches, let alone our hearts.

I was thinking recently about how many times I’ve thought or said, “I would never do that.”

In our day and age, it is a popular sentiment, especially as we look back in history to head-scratching things people have done, and wonder in our minds what in the world were they thinking?

We tend to have pride that our generation is better and wiser and dismiss past generations entirely because of things that we perceive as being unforgivable beliefs and actions. But, hopefully, this sentiment doesn’t make its way into our churches, let alone our hearts.

While looking back at history and the people around us, it is good to desire to never partake in the sins we see but it is the height of pride to think that we are better or that we would never sin in the same way.

When you look at people around you, especially those whom you believe are sinning, it is imperative that you never say, “I would never do that.”  Galatians 6 is clear about the importance of never uttering such words. Here are three reasons why.

It is Prideful Against God

Keep watch on yourself “…for if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” 

Paul, as he gives instruction on how to help a brother or sister caught in sin, stresses the importance of humility. He warns about prideful thinking as we look at a fellow Christian in sin. This would also be true with an unbeliever as well. Paul warns the believer to have a low view of self.

The Christian life is a life of humility. It is so important to understand this. It is the mindset that “were it not for the grace of God I would be capable of unspeakable evil.”  People who embrace faith alone should not be comparing themselves to others at all—that is what false works-based systems do that are steeped in prideful outward actions.  Instead, we are to think lowly of our own flesh and our ability to produce anything righteous at all.

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