V RaptureChrist Newsletter
October 15, 2002

In the movie "The Godfather",  the son of the Mafia king gets involved in his father's business. As time goes by he gets deeper into crime and even though he would have people killed, he still had some good qualities, like he did not cheat on his wife and gave his family all the support they needed...so even the bad people are not 100% bad, and he did not ever think that he was bad.  In fact, he probably only thought about all the good things he did for others, such as doing people favors and giving money to the needy.

So it makes me think ...wow, anyone could easily end up like that, thinking that they are good when they are not.   How can we prevent that from happening to us? How can we better identify our faults?  How can we avoid justifying everything we do that is wrong?

We need to constantly be thinking about our actions - if they are  right or wrong.  We need to have others checking us....and giving us good advice, godly advice....because it is easy to go down the wrong path, and once you are way in it, it is hard to get out.

The longer we stray away from following God, the bigger the amount of incorrect decisions and wrong actions we have done in our lives.  That means more deeds from which we need to repent.  The problem is that in order to repent, we must first realize we have done wrong, and our pride will not let us admit to having done so many bad things.  Therefore, the longer we live, the harder it is to repent, turn to God, and steer away from the wrong  path.

Most people follow the path of self justification.  That is why pride cometh before a fall.  Pride truly is a big hindrance, a wall between man and God.  It is the sin God hates the most.

Proverbs 6:16
There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:

Proverbs 6:17
Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

In the end, the ones who do not follow God end up suffering.  They are usually blinded about the end result of their actions, as Satan usually lets them have some immediate gratification for their wrongdoing.

What can we do to avoid being deceived into following the wrong path?  Besides praying daily, and reading the word of God, we should choose our friends wisely.  Our best friends in this life should be those that follow God, who will give us good advice, and let us know when we are heading down the wrong path, before it is too late to do something about it, and before we end up suffering from all our wrongdoings.

We must therefore thank God for the help He gives us, and the people and circumstances He sends our way to correct us.  It could be godly parents, or brothers, or sisters, or friends.  These people which God puts in our path  will help us and strengthen us to stay close to God and steer away from evil.

It is hard to be alone and fight the battles alone.  We need the help of other Christians...to keep us strong.

Satan's beginning flaw was pride. It blinded him to the truth.  It led him into sinning, departing from doing good and into doing evil. 

Isaiah 14:12
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! [how] art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations!

Lucifer -- another name for Satan -- thought he could be like God.

Isaiah 14:13
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

Isaiah 14:14
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Isaiah 14:15
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Lucifer was demoted from the position he had to a lower one.  He is a fallen angel.  His rule now is only over planet Earth.  Besides, he has no longer access to heaven, as he used to.

Pride was the sin that brought him down.  As the word of God says:

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18

God wants us  to be humble and to recognize how pride could  lead us into the wrong path.

Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes dishonor,
But with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 21:4
Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
The lamp of the wicked, is sin.

Proverbs 29:23
A man's pride will bring him low,
But a humble spirit will obtain honor.

Mark 7:21
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,

Mark 7:22
deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.

1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.