The Pride of Life

“For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life— is not from the Father but is from the world.” - 1 John 2:16 
 
 
Over the last couple days, we have talked about the temptations we face as human beings on earth. The same tricks Satan used to try and tempt Jesus are the same things he uses on us today. 1 John 2:16 gives us three different things, that if not put in check, can get us off track in our pursuit of Kingdom living.
 
The verse says, “For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life— is not from the Father but is from the world.”  
 
We have already discussed the desires of the flesh. That is when you say, “I want to FEEL that.” It is the physical desires of the body. We have also already talked about the desires of the eyes. That is to say, “I want to HAVE that.” Then, there is the pride of life, which is to say, “I want to BE that.”  
 
The pride of life is everything that appeals to arrogance and pride. Satan uses the contemplation of personal achievement to produce a self-sufficient attitude. This one is dangerous because when we give into the pride of life, we forget how much we need God. There is a self-reliance in which we believe we can do things ourselves and that we can figure it out on our own. 
 
Be careful, for it is by God’s grace that you ascend to the levels of success that you will find. And just as easy as He puts you on top, He can take you back down. Each of these three temptations are easy to fall into. They appeal to our human nature and natural desires. But they are dangerous. When we give into them, we are choosing our own wants over what God desires for us. 
 
Continue to pray to God and ask Him to give you strength so that when Satan tempts you with the desires of the flesh, the desires of your eyes, and the pride of life, you will not give in!