1John2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
THE DRIVERS- PRIDE OF LIFE (c)
I read the story of Muhammad Ali about what happened between him and an air hostess. Once he was on an airplane and he often said, “I'm the greatest.” The air hostess looked at him and saw he didn't have his seatbelt fastened.
She said to him, “Mr. Ali, you'll have to fasten your seatbelt.” Ali responded, “Superman don't need seatbelt.” The hostess then replied, “Superman don't need airplane either.”
A short study on the phrase "pride of life" in the Greek shows that apostle John was referring to the pride that results from having acquired possession, property and livelihood. This is the outcome of "lust of the eyes".
A man that has lived to satisfy the lust of his eyes by pursuing and acquiring earthly things will end up being proud of his "achievements".
The Greek "Bios" is the word translated life and it implies the biological life. Whereas, this is what Jesus said about this "life": "And he said unto them, Take heed and beware of all covetousness; for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses" (Luke 12:15 KJV).
The man that is possessed by the pride of life will only be living for this "life" and not eternal life. Unfortunately, there are many believers that are trapped by this "life" and nothing more. Some ministers aren't excluded.
The acquisition of earthly possessions and properties mean so much to them. It is a thing of "joy" to them as this reflects often in their testimony. In ministry, the moment we begin to speak comparatively in an emphatic manner about being the "biggest", "largest" repeatedly without restraint, it shows we're trapped in the rat race of this "life" to outdo others. Having achieve the goal, pride enters and we blow our trumpet. Isn't it happening?
The triumvirate evil apostle John told us in the opening text is a tactic that has been working from time immemorial and will continue to work because the devil has no new trick. He only modifies it.
The temptations of Jesus Christ is an example of each. When the devil told Jesus to jump from the top of the building so that angels can catch him IF truly He was the son of God, the devil was tempting to see if pride of life was in Jesus. How? He wanted him to prove a point about his sonship.
Anytime you're tempted to prove a point to people about your status and what you have achieved, you're already close to being trapped by the pride of life.
We all need to submit the whole of our life to God in its entirety so that these triune evil( lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life) won't find expression in us.
Lord, search my heart and rid me of these evil in Jesus name. I refuse to submit to the dictates and principles of these triune forces in Jesus name. Amen