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Gary: If America can do no wrong in your eyes, then America may have taken a place in your heart that belongs only to God. Good morning, and welcome back to North Northman Coaching's Seven Deadly Sins. I'm your host, Gary Hults. Today we are talking about pride. In Daniel chapter 4, King Nebuchadnezzar Kazar looked across Babylon and essentially said, Look at the great kingdom I built through my power and for my glory. His problem wasn't that he loved Babylon. His problem with believing Babylon's greatness came from him and existed for his glory. God humbled him until he finally understood that no king, government, or nation possesses ultimate authority. Here's the uncomfortable truth as Veterans Day approaches. Honoring veterans does not require blindly defending every politician who sends them into battle. I served in the United States Navy. I love this country, respect our flag, and honor the men and women. Who sacrificed for it. But respecting their service should make us more willing to question whether their lives are being used wisely, not less willingly. A veteran's sacrifice deserves honor. A government's decision deserves examination. Those are not contradictory beliefs. Patriotism becomes idolatry when questioning a president is treated like betrayal. Criticizing a war is labeled disrespectful, or defending a politician. Or political party becomes more important than defending the truth. No president is your savior, no political party is your church, and no flag, regardless of what it represents, belongs above God. Some people wrap their pride in the American flag and insist this nation is above correction. Others wrap their pride in moral superiority and speak as though America has never done anything worth honoring. Both sides can become too arrogant to examine themselves honestly. Remember, the way you look on the outside is a direct reflection of what's happening on the inside. You can cover yourself in patriotic clothing, post Bible verses beside the flag, and thank veterans publicly. But if you excuse corruption, dishonesty, or injustice whenever your side commits it, that isn't conviction. That's tribal pride wearing patriotic clothing. Free thinking means examining our own country, party, and leaders. With the same honesty we demand from everyone else. So ask yourself, would I defend this decision if the opposing party made it? Am I protecting the truth or protecting my political identity? And maybe my love of country strengthened my obedience to God or started competing with it. Nebuchadnezzar learned that kingdoms rise, leaders fall, and human power eventually ends. God's authority does not. Love your country enough to serve it. Honor veterans enough to remember their sacrifice, but remain humble enough to confront your country when it abandons the values it claims to represent. If this challenged you, share, and subscribe. And if you're ready to become a man who chooses principle over priorities and truth over tribal loyalty, Join the Brotherhood. Go to Northman Coaching.com and click Join the Brotherhood. Surround yourself with men who will challenge your thinking, confront your pride, and hold you accountable to becoming the man God is calling you to be. Check out my new journal. Now available on Amazon. The link is in the show notes. So love your country, honor those who served it, but worship God alone. And I will see you on the inside.