The deceitfulness of the heart of man appears in no one…
“The deceitfulness of the heart of man appears in no one thing so much as this of spiritual pride and self-righteousness. The subtlety of Satan appears in its height, in his managing persons with respect to this sin. And perhaps one reason may be that here he has most experience; he knows the way of its coming in; he is acquainted with the secret springs of it: it was his own sin. Experience gives vast advantage in leading souls, either in good or evil.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human hearts are prone to pride and self‑righteousness, which Satan exploits by presenting them as virtuous.
In simple terms: Pride blinds us and invites deception.
Key Takeaway
Guard against self‑importance.
Themes
pride
deception
spiritual warfare
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
theological
didactic
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- spiritual counseling
- preaching
- teaching
Key Concepts
theology
human nature
sin
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you detect pride in your motives?
- What practices keep you humble?
A Different Perspective
Satan’s tactics can be subtle, making pride hard to recognize.