“. . . That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man” (Mrk 7:20-23).
Jesus clearly teaches us that sin is a heart problem. No one may blame the devil, circumstances, or the actions of others for their sin. We must own our guilt and confess it. God is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we do (1 John 1:9). However, we must realize that sin originates in our heart. James confirms that.
“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (Jas 1:13-15).
The question is, is there a hierarchy of sins? Not to distinguish between the severity of sins, which might be possible, but to identify sins that contribute to other sins. The term breeder sins captures this thought well.
In an effort to identify breeder sins, let's look at the first sin. To do that, we must consider Lucifer. “How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, you who have weakened the nations! But you said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High'” (Isa 14:12-14). Lucifer’s fall was clearly caused by his pride. He wanted to exalt himself above God.
Realizing he could not make himself higher than God, his sin gave birth to the downfall of man. “The serpent said to the woman, 'You surely will not die! [a lie] For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise [pride], she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate” (Gen 3:4-6).
Both Lucifer and Adam sought to be like God. Pride brought about the rebellion that plunged mankind into spiritual death and depravity. Pride continues to give birth to all kinds of sin still.
Cain kills his brother presumably because of pride. “So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground. Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. Then the LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.’ Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him” (Gen 4:3-8).
We don’t have a record of Cain’s and Abel’s conversation, but whatever was said infuriated Cain to the point of killing his own brother. God’s acceptance of Abel’s offering and indifference to Cain’s offering relegated Cain to a lower status, which angered him. His anger was born from pride.
Your pride can foster anger, jealousy, envy, hatred, and idolatry. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Pro 16:18). Therefore, beloved of God, remember “... 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” (1Jn 2:16).
“Thus says the LORD, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD.” (Jer 9:23-24)
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