100 likes | 309 Views
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).
E N D
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).