How Does Satan Attack Us? — Pride of Life (1 John 2:16)

Spiritual Questions with Scriptural Answers.

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This article concludes our series on asking and answering the question, “How does Satan attack us?”

We have been examining the three-fold attack method of Satan as old as the Garden of Eden: “The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.”

Now that we have spent time examining the “lust of the flesh” and the “lust of the eyes,” let’s discuss the “pride of life.”

The Definition of Pride.

The word “pride” is defined as a “feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements.” The word “pride” appears close to fifty times in the New King James Version.

Pride in the Old Testament.

In the Old Testament, “pride” is found forty-five times. The Hebrew word most frequently used is “ga-on” (twenty-two times) and literally means, “unreasonable and inordinate self-esteem.” For example, the Proverbs writer has a lot to say about the danger and destructive nature of pride (Prov. 11:2; 13:10; 14:3; 16:18; 21:24; 29:23).

Pride in the New Testament.

In the New Testament, “pride” is found only three times (Mark 7:22; 1 Tim. 3:6; 1 John 2:16).

There are three different Greek words used in the New Testament to convey the meaning of pride. Consider the three verses aforementioned and the meaning of the word as it is used in the given context.

Pride in Mark 7:22.

First, Mark 7:22:

“thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.”

The word here for “pride” is “hyperephania” which means “overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward others.”

Pride in 1 Timothy 3:6.

Second, 1 Tim. 3:6 (in the context of the qualifications of elders):

“not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.”

The word used for “pride” is “krima” which means “condemnation; a legal decision of being guilty.” It is used in connection with the phrase “puffed up with” which means “to be or become proud, conceived of as being puffed up with air.”

Pride in 1 John 2:16.

Third and finally, our text, 1 John 2:16:

“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.”

The word for “pride” is “alazoneia” which means “a self-exalting, self-absorbed conceit of one’s own superiority; especially one that believes that all achievements are of their own doing.”

Christians and Pride.

It is amazing to consider how puffed up and self-absorbed some people in our society are. It ought to be very humbling for every human being to stop and realize that without God’s mercy, grace, love, and strength, we wouldn’t exist!

We wouldn’t be able to breathe, to live, or to move as Paul eloquently and emphatically stated in his “sermon on Mars Hill” (Acts 17:24-27).

The child of God has no room for pride or arrogance. In fact, if we boast it can only be in the cross:

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal. 6:14).

How to Overcome Pride.

The Bible clearly teaches that we are to overcome pride with humility.

• Jesus said, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt. 23:12).

• Paul stated, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Phil. 2:3).

• Peter echoed the Proverbs writer by saying, "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble” (1 Pet. 5:5; cf. Prov. 3:34). He goes on to encourage us to “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Pet. 5:6).

• James says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up” (Jas. 4:10).

May we be people of humility and fight against the “pride of life!”

I hope and pray that this study will help us avoid the “lust of the flesh” by “walking in the Spirit,” avoid the “lust of the eyes” by keeping our eyes, hearts, and minds fixed on what is pure and holy, and to avoid the “pride of life” by humbly submitting ourselves to God!

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Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.

Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.