Pride of Life 1 John 2:15-17 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

When we preach 1 Jn 2:16, we often talk about the lusts and talk little about the pride of life.  But the pride of life is an enormous problem.  The trouble with pride is that it is a root.  Therefore, it is sometimes hard to detect.  Here are some ways that the pride of life is manifested:

I’m going to do something BIG for God – Matt 26:31-35 – Peter said, “Yet will I never be offended… though I should die with thee…”  These other guys might fail you, but not me.  I’ll be right here with you to the end.  That’s some big talk.  Pride is the motive when you are trying to make a good impression on God or on someone else.  Whether you say it or not, you’re thinking, “Look at me,” (secretly).

I’m going to be the shining example to others – 1 Tim 3:6 – a novice is prone to pride that makes him think he is better than others.  Elijah was no novice and he got caught up in this problem with pride.   In 1 Ki 19:10, he said, “I, even I only, am left.”  That wasn’t true.  In 1 Ki 19:18, the Lord said, “I have left me seven thousand in Israel that have not bowed the knee to Baal.  You get the idea that you are God’s gift to whomever you are ministering.  There’s no one else that can do it quite like you.  You’d never say this, but you believe it.  Paul said, “… but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise,” [2 Cor 10:12].

I’m going do what’s right – Jud 17:6 – before Israel had a king, every man did that which was right… (in his own eyes).  Prov 19:21 says, “There are many devices in a man’s heart.”  But it goes on to say, “nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.”  Men, because of the pride of life, often think “What I’m doing is right” without saying “because I said so.”  They usually say, “Because God told me to.”  People go to hell doing what’s right.  Prov 14:12, “there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”  He’s thinking, “This is right; God’s going to bless this.”  No.  Right is what’s right in God’s eyes, not yours.

I’m going to do the desires of my heart – Ps 37:4 – most people read Ps 37:4 like this, “he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”  And when they are presented with something they want they say, “It must be of God because it’s the desire of my heart.  I have prayed for this, it’s what I desire, so you know this is from God.”  That’s the pride of life.  Your life is like a game board.  You’re moving all the pieces, making all the plans, rolling the dice, and figuring all the strategy.  God reaches down and messes with your game and you get mad at him.  He’s just trying to show you that you can’t control everything in your life like that.  He has far better plans than you do.  Life throws you a curve ball and you get mad because you didn’t expect that problem.  So, you redouble your efforts and blame others when your plans aren’t working.  You missed the key part of the verse, which says, “Delight thyself in the Lord.”  You have been delighting yourself in you and your plans.

Conclusion: check your life for pride. The pride of life will destroy you.