I wouldn’t destroy my happiness if I were making a rational decision. Yet when provoked, it’s easy to slip into a danger zone where I can lose what I treasure most- relationships.
Six entrances to the Danger Zone:

1. When I look down on someone else because I know more than they do, I immediately step into Satan’s territory. Pride is his sin and he loves me to join him. All the while, he tells me that my ‘insight’ trumps others’ opinions and feelings. I’m right and they’re wrong, therefore I should use all means possible to get my way. He doesn’t tell me that this Danger Zone is where relationships are fractured.
“Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. . . So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed.” 1 Corinthians 8:1, 11

2. When I circumvent those in authority over me in order to get my way, I have stepped into Satan’s territory. I will cause chaos and drama in my headlong effort to have the last say. Satan will assure me that I’m detouring around set boundaries for a faster result. He won’t warn me that like guard rails on a crooked road at night, beyond the protective barrier of authority lies the Danger Zone and hurt.

“they are spending their lives in service to God’s people. I urge you, dear brothers, to submit to them and others like them who serve with such devotion.” 1 Corinthians 16:16
“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account.” Hebrews 13:17

3. When I talk behind people’s backs in order to influence them against someone, I am suddenly in Satan’s territory. He tells me it’s necessary in order to get the desired result- my desired result. He blinds me to those I’m trampling underfoot in my headlong lunge for power.

“They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.” Titus 3:2

4. When I take matters into my own hands in order to ‘fix’ the problem, I’ve stumbled into Satan’s territory. I know what needs to be done and I can do it. Things will get done faster without waiting for others. But Satan doesn’t tell me that I’ll cause more problems for myself and others with my wreckless insistance on setting things ‘right’ all by myself.

“Patience is better than pride.” Ecclesiates 7:8
“Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.” Proverbs 13:10

5. When I take over a job that isn’t my responsibility or my assigned position, I enter Satan’s territory. He tells me that I can do someone else’s job just as well as they can and maybe better. After all, I’m capable, too. What he doesn’t tell me is that I will bring trouble on myself and cause chaos.

“But after [King] Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord followed him in. They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the Lord God.”
Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead. When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the Lord had afflicted him. So King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in isolation in a separate house, and he was excluded from the Temple of the Lord. His son Jotham was put in charge of the royal palace, and he governed the people of the land.” 2 Chronicles 26:16-21

6. When I make excuses for my thoughtless behavior,I’ve fallen into Satan’s territory. He tells me that I’m justified, that I didn’t mean harm, that there were reasons for my selfish behavior. But this tale that I spin about my innocence is a web that entraps me. I can’t get free to repent and start fresh.

“He prayed to the Lord, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the Lord’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem. Then Hezekiah humbled himself and repented of his pride, as did the people of Jerusalem. So the Lord’s anger did not fall on them during Hezekiah’s lifetime.” 2 Chronicles 32:24-26

One exit from the Danger Zone:
Repent. Admit my wrongdoing first to God who sees my selfish, proud heart. He longs for me to turn to him in humility and ask his forgiveness.
Admit my wrongdoing to those I injured. I must humbly ask their forgiveness by naming the wrong.

Caution!
If I’m justifying my actions by the end result, I’m in the Danger Zone. The ends don’t justify the means. If I have to belittle, ignore, or push others to get the result, I’m in the wrong.
If anger drives my response to others, I’m in the wrong. Compassion must be evident in every remark, in every interaction, and in every motivation.
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12
“By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you …” 2 Corinthians 10:1

If I ignore the hurtful actions of someone in the Danger Zone, and do not confront them in a kind way, I also slide into the Danger Zone. I’m contributing to the chaos by being a coward. By allowing bad behavior I am enabling it.
“And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 quoting from Proverbs 3:34

Pride in all its forms robs us and hurts others.
P.S.  Ahem. Please don’t ask me how I know about these things! Wink, wink.

P.P.S. Be careful!  If you see one of these in another person, quick!  Take inventory of yourself.  I  the faults I see in others, are often my own.

P.P.P.S. Even the Lone Ranger didn’t do it alone!  He had Tonto.