In part 4 of our 1 John series, Pastor Michael shares a ballad about a chili cook-off between the devil and a humble cook to illustrate pride's greatest danger: self-deception about sin. When we claim we don't need forgiveness, we make God out to be a liar. True redemption begins when we stop making excuses and honestly confess our need for Jesus.

- Human beings are masters of self-deception, especially when it comes to sin

- We create elaborate excuses and fig leaves to cover our failures rather than face them

- Confession isn't earning salvation - it's aligning with reality and admitting we can't save ourselves

- When we deny our sin problem, we call God a liar and reject His truth

God isn't looking for people who pretend to have it together. He's looking for people humble enough to admit they don't. The only people God can't forgive are those who think they don't need forgiveness.

- "Redemption begins with the honest confession that we cannot save ourselves."

- "If we say we have no sin, who are we trying to deceive? Ourselves."

- "Jesus doesn't ask you to be perfect; He asks you to be real about your brokenness."

- "Confession doesn't change His view of you; it changes your view of Him."

- "As long as you think you can fix yourself, you'll never go to The One Who can truly heal you."

- "You can't fix what you won't face."

What "fig leaves" - excuses, distractions, or denials - have you been using to cover up what you don't want God or others to see?

Tune in to hear Pastor Michael's hilarious original ballad "The Devil Went Down to Dugspur" and discover why pride is the biggest spiritual roadblock we face.

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