In recent days the phrase “pride of life” has been prominent on my mind a number of times. It has been evident to me that perhaps the most pervasive sin that keeps man from spiritual freedom is our inability to get outside our own identities and understanding. We are so caught up in ourselves that we cannot see ourselves…or God…from a truthful perspective.
While “pride of life” seems to be mentioned only one time in the Bible, I think the behavior is tied into basic pride and self-ego for which there are many scriptures explaining the folly of it.
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:16)
One of the hardest things for me to do in this life is to admit when I am wrong. I like to think I am right most of the time. What is it that drives us to argue and push our opinions in trying to convince others we are right?
Is it also possible that when some of us try to share our faith with others, we are coming at it from a position of superiority and pride? Could we be like the Pharisees behind the crucifixion of Christ who while they knew the law of Moses and could quote all then known scripture from God, their pride and own imaginations of what the Messiah would look or be like when He came caused them to completely miss his coming? Pride of life…
Then there is that spirit of competition. It’s very “American” to be competitive and to WIN! From a very early age we are forced into competitive popularity contests…a social pecking order…based on how we stack up against others. We don’t measure ourselves against perfection…we learn to measure ourselves against others and justify our status and mediocrity in society on some form of “Bell curve”. Our peers and parents are always pushing us to measure up to their standards of acceptable behavior. When we finally make it to a certain level we aspired to achieve, we easily fall into a contented complacency of our own making…being better than others. We attain a certain “pride of life”…
What can be wrong with reaching goals and making the most of ourselves in this life? What is wrong with having people admire us instead of looking down or insulting us? Nothing in and of itself, except that none of us is perfect and ALL have fallen short of the glory and accomplishments God meant for us.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)
Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them. (Proverbs 26:12)
“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:17-27)
The rich young ruler was anxious to know and follow Jesus, but he had too much power and prestige along with riches to give it up to follow the Messiah.
I believe many of today’s Christian churches are full of people who want to follow and know Jesus, but their pride and position based on what THEY know and own keeps them from having the freedom to follow Christ in the ways he has commanded.
Pride of Life has us controlled BY our things versus controlling our things. Pride of Life makes us feel better about ourselves in comparison to others as we often pray like the Pharisee in the story of Jesus regarding two prayers. The Pharasee prayed ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)
Pride of Life gets in front of Christians and non-believers alike as people think they can get through life on their good works and many blessings. We have to be constantly mindful that we are susceptible to doing good, righteous things for the wrong reasons. When we begin to think we are responsible or deserving of the blessings and benefits we have in this life…we are simply repeating the cycle of fallen men as we begin thinking ourselves good and righteous in our own might because WE are special.
We are not special apart from the grace and mercy of God. Were it not for His plan for us, we would not be who we are or have what we have. When we begin to take credit or pride in the things of this world, we simply continue the cycle of fallen man and our sinful natures.
Pride of Life is a tricky sin because it is oh so easy to feel smug and self-righteous in our “obedience” or “faith” in God when in essence, even faith itself is a gift from God, not of ourselves, lest any person should boast. (Ephesians 2:9)
May we learn to only boast or take pride in the power and name of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. By giving Him credit for all things, we erase any pride or credit for the good we may be empowered to do in His name. We know how lowly we are, and we should be willing to admit the same to our fellow man.