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Explore the dangers of pride, examining how Satan manipulates individuals through boastful arrogance, as seen in the Scriptures such as Eve's and Jesus's temptations. Learn the definitions and occurrences of boastful pride as exemplified in fallen humanity and the hypocritical behaviors of the Scribes and Pharisees. Understand the guilt of succumbing to the lust of the flesh and eyes, and the peril of pride in one's life. Discover the biblical teachings on humbleness, reliance on God's grace, and the importance of genuine love over self-exaltation.
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Tools of Satan:The Pride of Life 1 John 2:15-17
Introduction • Scripture warns against the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life (1 John 2:15-17). • In the temptations of both Eve and Jesus, the devil appealed to the pride of life (Genesis 3:1-6; Matthew 4:5-7; Luke 4:9-12).
Definitions • The Greek word alazoneia, occurring 2x in the NT (James 4:16; 1 John 2:16), signifies “boastfulness” [Thomas], “pretension, arrogance in word and deed” [BDAG], or “a state of pride or arrogance, but with the implication of complete lack of basis for such an attitude” [Louw].
Definitions • The Greek word alazōn, occurring 2x in the NT (Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2), identifies a “wandering vagabond, hence an impostor, boaster” [Thomas], a “boaster, braggart” [BDAG], or “one who is pretentiously proud and given to bragging about it – ‘braggart, arrogant person’” [Louw].
Summary of Occurrences • The boastful pride of life is an effective tool in Satan’s arsenal (1 John 2:15-17, esp. vs. 16). • Characteristic of fallen humanity (Romans 1:28-32, esp. vs. 30), discernible during difficult times of spiritual apostasy (2 Timothy 3:1-5, esp. vs. 2), boastfulness is oft observed in human plans and purposes (James 4:13-16, esp. vs. 16).
The Scribes & Pharisees • The scribes and Pharisees were noted for their strictness (Acts 22:3-5; 26:4-5). • Sadly, they were also guilty of hypocrisy (Matthew 23:25-28).
Guilty of the Lust of the Flesh • Rebuking the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus said, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign…” (Matthew 12:38-40). • Convicting the Jews of sinful hypocrisy, Paul said, “You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?” (Romans 2:17-25, esp. vs. 22).
Guilty of the Lust of the Eyes • By allowing moneychangers and merchandisers in the temple, Jewish leaders manifested a love of mammon (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-47; John 2:13-16). • The scribes and Pharisees devoured widows’ houses and for a pretense made long prayers (Matthew 23:14; Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:46-47).
Guilty of the Pride of Life • The main object of the scribes and Pharisees was to be seen of men (Matthew 23:1-12; cf. 6:1-6, 16-18). • They arrogantly bound where God had loosed, and loosed where God had bound (Matthew 15:1-14). • They also trusted in themselves that they were righteous (Matthew 23:29-33; Luke 18:9-14).
Conclusion • Rather than sing our own praises, let us boast in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:26-31). • Instead of trusting in vain human comparisons, seek the commendation of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:12-18). • As a substitute for self-exaltation, let us trust in God’s grace (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). • In place of prideful arrogance, may we practice agape love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).