About Jesus - Steve (Stephen) Sweetman

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The Oldest Form Of Suicide

The following lyrics were written and sung by Don Henley of the Eagles on his 2015 album entitled " Cass County ."  I find them interestingly appropriate as I consider how prideful our western culture has become.   

Common as dirt, as old as sin
The road to ruin, again and again
Oh, how many dreams have bloomed and died
Too much pride

How many heavens are hopelessly lost?
How many tender loves has vanity cost?
Lord, help the soul that can't be satisfied
Too much pride

You don't have to be right all the time
You can't go on with all of these axes to grind

So why don't you lighten up and let it ride?
Too much pride

Empires rise and empires fall
Stick around here long enough, you'll see it all
Now it looks like it's gone nationwide
Too much pride

Some people tell you it's a good thing
Some people tell you it's a sin
Just like a weed in the garden
You're askin' for trouble if you let it in
Official Lyrics & Meaning | 

Now, it looks like it's gone nationwide
Too much pride
It's the oldest form of suicide
Too much pride

Now, with Henley 's lyrics in mind, read Proverbs 16:18

"Pride comes before destruction,

and an arrogant spirit before a fall."

How about reading Proverbs 8:13.

"To fear the LORD is to hate evil.

I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct,

and perverse speech."

In light of what the Bible teaches us about prideful arrogance, I find it interesting that a man who has spent his entire adult life in the rock and pop music industry in his old age has come to the same conclusion as the Bible.  In our culture, including our Christian culture, where prideful arrogance abounds, Don Henley is correct.  Pride is the oldest form of suicide, or as the Bible says, pride precedes destruction, and that's on both an individual and national level.      

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