Articles
The Pride of Life
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For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. (1 Jn. 2:16)
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. (Gen. 3:6)
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Survey the history of the world--indeed, examine the mistakes in your own life--and you will see these three worldly influences are at the root of most of our problems. The first two categories of temptation require little explanation. The lusts of the flesh and of the eyes are built into our animal nature, driving to us to reckless behaviors like illicit sex, drunkenness, gluttony, covetousness, stealing, and other displays of selfishness. These enticements are self-evident.
The third category--the pride of life--requires some elaboration.
In all the animal kingdom, humans are unique in our ability to think abstractly. We can ponder the big questions about the universe and--more importantly--our place in it. There is something in us that yearns to know that our presence here matters, that we are of value, especially when measured against the status of those around us. This constant craving for validation in a social setting John calls "the pride of life." It's a self-centered swagger that leads us to exalt ourselves and denigrate others. We will do almost anything to prove to everyone--especially to ourselves--that we are important.
When the serpent tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, he didn't even mention how it tasted or looked ("good for food, and pleasant to the eyes"). Those temptations were a no brainer. Instead, he appealed to her pride. He represented the fruit as the ticket to a deeper, richer connection with reality: "Your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (v .5). That enticement to personal prestige was the clincher that drew Eve in.
This same pride of life affects all of us. It begins as peer pressure in high school. Then, as we grow older, it evolves into more sophisticated patterns of behavior, as we learn how to employ jealousy, envy, and selfish ambition to our advantage. When our feelings get hurt over slights big and small, we resort to all kinds of tricks to even the score. My life is important, and I will do anything to prove it!
Those who are obsessed with validating their own worth are missing the same thing Eve was missing in her life: a deep connection with God. Keep Him first and foremost in your heart, and that relationship will give you the humility to stay grounded and valued in the only way that really matters.
--David
