I have read that pride is commonly believed to be the worst of the deadly sins. If we think so highly of ourselves then how can we understand and value other people’s qualities? This could be so extremely damaging. We’ve all looked at someone, maybe even at a friend, and thought ‘they think an awful lot of themselves’ or ‘that’s a bit arrogant and narrow-minded’. It’s disrespectful and these are judgements that we are making which could be seen as disrespectful for ourselves. We should respect our bodies and respect our role models. You are not better than the next person. You should not worship yourself.

For the deadly sin of pride I thought I could focus particularly more on vanity, or what Aristotle called, empty vanity. I know many young women who will usually not leave the house until they believe they look presentable enough. (I can be guilty of this.) Is your hair under control? Does your make-up cover your spots? Are you soaped, deoderanted and body sprayed? Are your nails neat? Is your shirt ironed (and in my case, is your shirt back to front or inside out)? Does this look as good as it’s going to get? 

So, you’re looking okay, you’re looking good. But do you feel good? Are you really trying to present yourself as appearing in control so you seem more professional, or is this to mask some hidden insecurity you have going on? Do you feel tired, do you feel weak? Do you feel ready to face this day? We should spend as much time, if not more, tending to our insides than our outsides. The outside may be what people see at first glance, but the inside is who they grow to know, start to love. 

Although this deadly sin is not to be in love with yourself, it is important to care for and respect yourself. Realise your qualities and your spiritual gifts. Are you creative, athletic, great with computers, good with numbers,  caring, musical, organised, ambitious.. the list is endless. You have skills unique to you and you should be aware of those and keep them in your mind if you wake up feeling low.

Spending hours on your appearance to make you look happy when you’re not feeling it, will not be successful forever. Let that confidence shine through you without being conceited – few will appreciate you for that. 

 

“Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire” – 1 Timothy, 2:9

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians, 6:19-20