Recovering & Redeemed

Every Sin Comes From Pride

We don’t like to admit it, but deep down, pride is at the root of every sin. Pride whispers “It’s all about me” — and from there, idolatry, selfishness, envy, greed, and discontentment all flow. Whether it’s subtle self-reliance or loud self-exaltation, pride always seeks to put us on the throne where God belongs.

That’s why the Recovering & Redeemed Sticker Series is more than just tongue-in-cheek or catchy sayings, each one is a confession of how pride shows up in our lives:

• Recovering Autonomy Seeker — Pride tells us we don’t need God. Yet 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 reminds us we are not our own; we were bought with a price.

• Recovering Glory Thief — Pride wants the applause that belongs only to God. Isaiah 42:8 declares that He will not give His glory to another.

• Former Best Life Chaser — Pride convinces us to live for comfort now, but Philippians 3:20 lets us know, the best is yet to come.

• Pride Survivor — We are reminded in Proverbs 16:18 that pride goes before a fall.

Each phrase is a mirror showing how pride disguises itself in daily life — in our desire for control, recognition, comfort, or autonomy.

Nebuchadnezzar: Pride Brought Low The book of Daniel gives us a sobering example of where pride leads. Nebuchadnezzar looked over his kingdom and said: “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30).

In that moment, God humbled him. The mighty king was driven away from his throne to live like a beast in the field, until he lifted his eyes to heaven and confessed that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of men. Pride led to his fall; humility led to his restoration.

Paul: Grace Makes Us Small, Christ Big

In stark contrast, Paul in Ephesians 3 doesn’t boast of his own greatness. Instead, he calls himself “the very least of all the saints” (Ephesians 3:8), marveling that God would use him to proclaim the riches of Christ.

Paul knew what Nebuchadnezzar had to learn the hard way: pride exalts self, but grace makes us small so Christ may be seen as great.

From Pride to Praise

If pride is the root of every sin, then humility in Christ is the root of every virtue. And humility isn’t thinking less of ourselves; it’s thinking of ourselves less, and thinking of Christ more.

That’s why I created the Recovering & Redeemed series — not just as stickers, but as reminders of the grace given by our Heavenly Father and how we are to redirect our identity toward Christ.

Because at the end of the day, we aren’t Autonomy Seekers, Glory Thieves, or Best Life Chasers anymore. By God’s grace, we are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Every sin begins with pride, but every act of grace ends with Christ being glorified. May we, like Paul, rejoice that the immeasurable riches of God’s grace are ours in Christ Jesus — and may our confessions of pride always turn into confessions of praise.

Regards,

Tami

Want to carry these reminders with you or give as a gift? The Recovering & Redeemed Sticker Series is available in my shop — you can explore the full set [here]. Feel free to leave a comment on what you think of this series.