The Dangerous Sin of Hubris

Apologies if this blog veers slightly off my normal topic but after watching the news this morning, I felt compelled to write about the top three stories that featured on Sky News today i.e. Boris Johnson’s and Novak Djokovic’s unwillingness to be bound by the same rule as the rest of society during the pandemic and Prince Andrew’s alleged sexual relations with an underage young woman – all of which seem to be outrageous and flagrant examples of hubris.

The concept of hubris or hybris stems back to classical ethical and religious thought and refers to an overweening self arrogance and disregard for the limits that govern normal human action. It is the flaw that brings down most Greek heroes such as Icarus who flew too close to the sun only to plummet to earth. And, in the Bible, it is the sin that send the angel Lucifer plummeting to earth after he challenges the authority of God.

It is an extreme manifestation of that greatest of all spiritual sins – pride. In believing yourself to be above the laws of man, you are seeking to elevate yourself to the position of God. Of course, we can’t see inside the minds of the Boris, Novak or Prince Andrew (perhaps mercifully), but there seems to little sign of repentance on the part of any of them. But Boris seems to be frustrated by the fact that he has been caught breaking the rules rather than contrite at the distress he is causing those bereaved while he partied. Novak seems angered at being prevented from playing the game that he loves, rather than being sorry that he (or his agent) apparently misled the authorities about his whereabouts before entering Australia or that he attended an event while Covid-positive. While Prince Andrew’s memory lapses about a meeting recorded on camera indicate a man who believes his own rhetoric.

None of us are completely innocent of the sin of pride – it seems to be part of the human state. But these three cases are so appalling because each of them seem to devalue the lives of others apart from those committing the sin - lives given and beloved by God.

Over the past months, I have been privileged to witness the enormous courage and selflessness of people who dedicate themselves to preserving the lives of others. I have watched as they gave of themselves tirelessly and compassionately, and their grief as they have been forced to watch some of their charges die, and their joy as others have survived – including myself.

In the wards of NHS hospitals, I have seen a glimpse of God’s kingdom - -and nowhere in that Kingdom is there a place for those who disregard the lives and welfare of others. Rather it is a place of true humility; and by that I don’t mean self-abasement but rather an understanding that every member of humanity is equally of worth and beloved.

So, this morning I pray for those who believe that their lives are of more important that the lives of others, and that God would open the eyes of their hearts to their true value as part of God’s beloved creation.

Kate Nicholas is a preacher, Christian author, broadcaster and consultant. Her best-selling memoir Sea Changed (shortlisted as Christian Biography of the Year 2017) is an account of her unconventional journey of faith and previous healing from advanced cancer.

Her latest book, Soul’s Scribe (launched in 2021) draws on scripture, philosophy, psychology and over 20 years’ of reflection as a Christian communicator to take you on a journey through the various chapters of your soul story, providing you with the tools to share that story in a way that will inspire and encourage others.

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