The Sin I Hate Most (Because I Know It Best)

I’m currently sitting in a coffee shop just outside of Washington, D.C., overhearing people talk about politics. I’m sipping a good cup of coffee and reflecting on the sermon I just finished for Sunday. Coincidentally, the sermon I just wrote is about the one subject I hate — but unfortunately know far too well: pride.

As I listen to people debate politics, I have opinions. Lots of them. And if I’m honest, part of me wants to jump right into the conversation. Why? Because I think I’m right and they’re wrong. My mind immediately pits me against them.

How in the world could they think that way?

My wife has a saying that is painfully accurate: “Billy, you are rarely right, but never in doubt.”

She’s right. Left to myself, I could argue with a brick wall.

Pride is a strange thing. I don’t know many people who would describe themselves as prideful, yet Scripture repeatedly warns us about it. It’s a disease almost all of us have, but one that’s incredibly difficult to diagnose in ourselves.

Here’s what pride does: it elevates self. It changes our personal pronouns — not in that way — from us to me, from you to I. Pride quietly makes everything revolve around us.

My time is the most valuable thing I have.

It’s my hard-earned money.

I deserve this.

Those statements may sound harmless, but they reveal a heart that’s beginning to orbit around itself. And when life revolves around me, I naturally stop serving others.

Jesus taught that God’s economy works in exactly the opposite direction. The way up is down. If you want to be exalted, humble yourself. If you want to be great, become a servant.

More importantly, Jesus didn’t simply teach this — He lived it.

The One who spoke galaxies into existence humbled Himself and became a man. He lived in obscurity as a carpenter. He loved the forgotten, touched the untouchable, and served the least of these. Then He told His followers that while His life is certainly more than an example, it is not less than an example. We are to walk as He walked.

Humility isn’t pretending you’re worthless. It’s agreeing with God about who you are.

As C.S. Lewis famously said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”

What’s fascinating is that humility in Scripture is far more of a verb than a noun. It’s something you practice more than something you claim to possess.

Humility serves.

Humility loves.

Humility submits.

Christians are called to live like Jesus.

Now let me get personal for a moment.

I rarely use this blog to speak directly to my church family, but let me do that for just a minute before broadening the application.

Right now, we’re facing a serving challenge. Everyone is busy. Everyone’s schedule feels full. Time is valuable.

But somewhere along the way, many of us have lost the rhythm of joyful self-sacrifice.

Our kids ministry is growing rapidly because God is bringing new families and new babies to our church. That’s something we’ve prayed for and celebrate. The challenge is that our willingness to serve hasn’t kept pace with what God is doing.

And it’s not just us.

I sat down with another pastor here in D.C., and he told me they’re experiencing the exact same thing.

Pastor Carey Nieuwhof recently said that volunteerism and artificial intelligence are two of the greatest challenges facing the church today. Churches are seeing attendance increase, but serving is declining. That’s a dangerous combination because it reflects a culture increasingly shaped by consumerism.

And here’s why that’s dangerous.

Not because churches simply need more volunteers.

Because you need to serve.

Serving isn’t merely something the church asks from you; it’s one of God’s primary tools for shaping you. Every time you choose someone else’s needs over your own comfort, you wage war against your pride. You become a little more like Jesus.

The local church wasn’t designed merely to meet our needs. God designed it to transform us into the image of His Son.

Consumerism does the opposite. It slowly convinces us that our preferences, our comfort, and our convenience should always come first. I don’t think that’s anyone’s intention, but it’s often the outcome.

So yes, let me make a shameless invitation.

If you’re part of our church family, we’d love for you to consider serving — especially in our kids ministry. More importantly, I want you to experience the joy and transformation that comes from saying “yes” to serving others.

And if kids ministry isn’t where God is leading you, let me invite you to another opportunity.

Every year we host Serve Our City, a week where our church partners with local ministries and organizations all across our community. Together we seek the peace of our city by serving people in practical, tangible ways.

**Click here to find out more.**

If your calendar is packed, I understand. Mine is too.

But maybe the most Christlike thing we can do this month is intentionally carve out time to serve someone else.

I’ll finish with this.

I am the first person to admit that I struggle with pride. Maybe one of the reasons I serve as much as I do is because I’m trying to kill the pride that is so deeply rooted in my own heart.

I know it’s my greatest battle.

And if we’re honest, it’s probably one of yours too.

So let’s fight it together.

Let’s humble ourselves.

Let’s serve.

And in doing so, let’s become a little more like Jesus.