Weeds: Human Errors

Pridefulness

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”

James 4:6 (NIV)

Pride is the focus on oneself rather than on God and others.  It is a barrier to a healthy relationship with God.  Instead, humility involves recognizing our own limitations and weaknesses and relying on God's grace and mercy.

Pride can present itself in various ways, depending on the context and the individual. Here are a few common ways that pride can manifest:

• Boastfulness

  • Bragging about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities in a way that seeks to elevate oneself above others

  • Exaggerating one's accomplishments or credentials, or misrepresenting oneself in order to impress others

• Self-importance

  • Demonstrating a sense of entitlement or demanding special treatment because of one's status, wealth, or perceived superiority

• Stubbornness 

  • Refusing to admit mistakes or accept criticism, even when it is warranted

• Bravado 

  • Being overly competitive, to the point of sabotaging others or refusing to work as part of a team

It's important to note that having a healthy sense of self-esteem and confidence is not the same as being prideful. 

Unkindness

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)

Unkindness is an act of intentionally causing harm, pain, or suffering to others. Here are some examples:

• Insulting Others 

  • Using hurtful language, such as name-calling or insulting others

  • Belittling or mocking others, especially in front of others

• Gossip 

  • Spreading unflattering rumors or gossip about others

• Dismissing and Rejection

  • Ignoring or excluding others from social activities or events

  • Intentionally ignoring or dismissing the feelings or opinions of others without consideration

  • Refusing to help others in need or refusing to show compassion

• Aggression

  • Bullying or harassing others, whether in person or online

  • Behaving aggressively or violently towards others

Lust

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Romans 13:14 (NIV)

Lust refers to errors related to unrestrained desire for sexual gratification.  Specifically, lust manifests as engaging in sexual desires in a way that objectifies others and treats them as mere objects of pleasure, rather than as fellow human beings created in the image of God.  It is a form of selfishness and an improper use of the gift of human sexuality.   Here are some examples:

• Promiscuous Behavior

  • Pursuing sexual relationships with others without developing emotional connections or showing genuine care and concern

• Degrading Thoughts

  • Using sexually explicit materials that degrades or debases others and ourselves

  • Engaging in sexual fantasies that are harmful or unethical

Slothfulness

Through laziness, the rafters sag;  because of idle hands, the house leaks.

Ecclesiastes 10:18 (NIV)

Sloth, or laziness, can present itself in various ways. Here are some common manifestations of sloth:

• Neglecting Faith

  • Neglecting our walk with God including prayer, Bible reading, and attending worship services

• Avoiding Work

  • Avoiding planned and/or necessary work and other activities that require effort or energy

• Procrastination

  • Delaying or avoiding important tasks and responsibilities, even when we know we  should be working on them

• Vice

  • Avoiding responsibility to indulge in vices like excessive eating, drinking, or entertainment, which can become a way of avoiding important responsibilities

Overall, sloth is characterized by a lack of motivation and effort, leading us to neglect important aspects of our life, whether physical, emotional, or our relationship with God.  It can be a challenging obstacle to overcome, but through prayer, self-reflection and effort, it is possible to cultivate greater diligence and discipline in our life.

Greed

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Luke 12:15 (NIV)

Being greedy generally refers to acts born from an excessive or selfish desire for more than what is necessary or fair.  Here are some examples of being greedy:

• Refusing to share

  • Refusing to share or give to others, even when it would not cause any harm or inconvenience to oneself

• Exploiting others

  •  Exploiting or taking advantage of others for personal gain, such as through deceit, manipulation, or coercion

• Unethical dealings

  • Engaging in unethical or illegal activities in order to increase one's wealth or power

  • Prioritizing profit or financial gain over ethical considerations or the well-being of others

• Materialism

  • Obsessing over material possessions or status symbols, to the point of neglecting other aspects of life or relationships

Again, it's important to note that having a reasonable desire for financial security or success is not the same as being greedy. Greed becomes problematic when it leads to behaviors that harm others or undermine the functioning of a community as a whole.

Deceit

Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.  They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.

1 Peter 3:10-11 (NIV)

Deceit can present itself in various ways. Here are some common manifestations of deceit:

• Dishonesty

  • Lying or intentionally telling falsehoods or withholding the truth in order to deceive others

  • Concealment, where a person withholds important information or hides their true intentions in order to deceive others

  • Impersonation or pretending to be someone else in order to deceive others, often for personal gain

• Manipulation

  • Use of deceitful tactics to influence others and achieve our own goals, often at the expense of others

  • Use of deceitful tactics to gain an unfair advantage in a situation, such as in a relationship or in business

Overall, deceit is characterized by dishonesty and a lack of integrity, leading a person to mislead or harm others for personal gain. It can be damaging and destructive behavior, both for the person engaging in deceit and for those around them. It is important to cultivate honesty and transparency in our interactions with others, in order to build trust and foster positive relationships.

Other

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!

Romans 6:15 (NIV)

God’s conviction of words or action that goes against His will as revealed through the Bible, church teachings, prayer, reflection, and feedback from fellow Christians.