There are all kinds of sins but one sin that is despised in others but protected by ourselves.[1] Even Christians are overwhelmingly guilty of it, but few will admit it. People will confess temptations of anger, addiction, lust, or unintentional lying, but go silent on this sin. There is no fault which makes one more ignored and excluded, and no fault which we are more unconscious of in ourselves. And ironically, the more we personally exhibit this behavior, the more we perpetually call it out in others. This vice we are referencing is that of selfishness. Selfishness is demonstrated with ego, arrogance, vanity, superiority, narcissism, and pride; and it’s the root of every other sin.

“For from within, out of the heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” – Jesus

“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this: your passions at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.” – James

“Incline my heart to the Lord’s testimonies, and not to selfish gain.” – Psalm 119:36

“Whoever isolates oneself seeks their own desire; they break out against all sound judgment.” Proverbs 18:1

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” 2 Timothy 3

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6)

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[1] Adapted from C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.