On the surface it's often difficult to distinguish between pride that is helpful and beneficial and pride that reflects moral weakness. I'm proud to be an American, and I take pride in our democracy. I love to sing God Bless America and The Star Spangle Banner. However, there’s a dark side of pride that’s considered a deadly sin along with lust, anger, laziness, covetousness, envy, and gluttony.
Samson was not only prideful, but also afflicted with passionate anger that progressed into violence and rage. Rage is an altered state of consciousness that controls the person and is absent of consideration for consequences. When the deed is done and rage subsides, normal thinking may resume. Only at that point did Samson fear retaliation, but still he had no feelings of remorse or regret.
Perhaps that's why anger that has transformed into rage is considered a deadly sin. However, the redemptive powers of Christ Jesus can change the heart, mind and will of the vilest offender when there is submission to God’s amazing grace.
Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels
come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because
you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for
what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t
yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn’t think of
just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be
asking for what you have no right to.
~James 4:1-3 The Message
For God has revealed his grace for the salvation of all people. That grace instructs us to give up ungodly living and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this world.
~Titus 2:11-12 Good News Bible
