What are the seven deadly sins?

[Patriot]

What does the Bible say about conceit / being conceited?​

ANSWER

Conceit is excessive pride in oneself. Conceited people love to talk about themselves and their achievements, showing lesser regard for the accomplishments of others. Conceited people often take the credit for every good thing God has done in their lives and consider themselves intrinsically superior to most other people. The Bible has harsh words for the conceited because pride gets in the way of all God wants to do in and through us.

We need to note the difference between healthy self-worth and sinful conceit. Some believe that to be proud of any achievement is wrong, and they may go to the other extreme of belittling themselves. However, self-abasement is just pride on its back. It masquerades as humility but is, in fact, another way of gaining attention. Social media is a showcase for this kind of conceit. For example, a woman posts a seductive selfie with the comment “Feeling so ugly today.” What happens? Within moments, an avalanche of statements to the contrary flood her post. Conceit sometimes wears a mask, and conceited people usually know how to fish for compliments while appearing humble.

Saul is a biblical example of a conceited man. The Bible describes him as “the most handsome man in Israel” (1 Samuel 9:2). God chose Saul to be the first king of Israel, and he had a great future ahead, if he would obey the Lord. But Saul’s conceit grew with his popularity, and it did not take long for him to usurp God’s authority in his life and make decisions that put him in a good light with the people. Rather than obey God completely, Saul decided that he knew better. First Samuel 15 recounts Saul’s slide away from God’s favor. The man who could have had it all got too big for his britches, and the Lord removed him as king.

Humility is the opposite of conceit, and C. S. Lewis had a perfect definition: “Humility is not thinking less of myself. Humility is thinking of myself less.” The conceited think of themselves constantly. They may hide that self-obsession with self-deprecating remarks (“I don’t think I’ll ever do as well as I did last time”), but they can’t hide the fact that self is their primary interest. To overcome an attitude of conceit, we must be willing to see ourselves honestly, the way God sees us. We must come to terms with the fact that we are not the center of the universe; we must acknowledge the reality that no one is as obsessed with us as we are. We cure our conceit by shifting our gaze from the mirror to the face of Jesus. “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).

Conceit is one of the traits of wicked people in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1–5). Conceit is at the root of most sins because we choose to please ourselves instead of pleasing God or helping someone else. In contrast, Philippians 2:3 instructs us to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” None of us can do this naturally. Our sin natures want to put ourselves first. But in the power of the Holy Spirit we can be intentional about humbling ourselves and agreeing with God about our worth (1 Peter 5:6; James 4:10). By faith we can develop a healthy self-image that blesses the Lord and those around us.

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

Landmines in the Path of the Believer: Avoiding the Hidden Dangers by Charles F. Stanley

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[Patriot]

Does God hate me?​

ANSWER

The short answer to the question of “does God hate me?” is “no.” If you are a human being, then you have been designed by your Creator to reflect His own image (Genesis 1:27). God loves what He created, and He especially loves human beings because we are the most like Him. So why do some people assume God hates them?

There are three key reasons that cause some people to believe that their Creator hates them:

1. Sin. The first and most obvious problem is the fact that God is perfect and we are not (Romans 3:23). Our sin mars the image of God so that His goodness and likeness cannot be readily seen in us. Since the fall in the Garden of Eden, human beings are predisposed to want to be our own gods (Genesis 3:1–6). We don’t want a Supreme Ruler to tell us what to do. That rebellion against our Creator is the essence of sin. Sin is a matter of the heart. It may manifest itself in obvious ways, such as murder. Or it may manifest in more socially acceptable ways, such as ambition, lust, or greed. But in the heart sin is sin, and it puts distance between us and God.

If God hated us because of our sin, He would have wiped out Adam and Eve when they disobeyed Him. But, because God had already created them with an eternal spirit such as He has, He wanted them to be with Him forever. So God entered their world and did for them what they could not do for themselves—He covered their sin (Genesis 3:21). He’s still doing that. When He took on human flesh and entered our world as Jesus Christ, He was demonstrating how much He loves us (John 3:16–18; Philippians 2:5–11). Jesus shed His own blood to cover our sin so that “whosoever believes in Him will not perish” (John 3:16, 36). This believing means that we acknowledge His right to rule over us. We voluntarily relinquish our insistence upon being our own gods and call Him Lord of our lives (Romans 10:8–10). God then adopts us as His own beloved children (Romans 8:15; Ephesians 1:5; 1 John 3:1). As His children, we have the freedom to come to Him anytime (Hebrews 4:16), find forgiveness when we mess up (1 John 1:9), and live in joyful anticipation of an eternal life in heaven with Him (1 John 5:13).

2. Flawed understanding of God. Another reason people develop the idea that God hates them is that they have formed a twisted idea of who He is. The world is drowning in twisted ideas. Every manmade religion has its own definition of an almighty Being or supreme force, most of which is human invention. Those who have been raised in such a religious climate can find it difficult to shed the false teachings about God and embrace truth. Even some Christian denominations start with the God of the Bible but emphasize certain traits to the exclusion of others and present a warped view of God’s nature. Some people have been taught that He is angry with them, that they can never please Him, or that He has favorites and they’re not it. This kind of erroneous teaching can set them up for a lifetime of believing that there is no way God would ever want to draw near to them.

This false theology contradicts the true teachings of God’s Word. James 4:7–10 gives us a snapshot of what it takes to be accepted into God’s presence: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

This passage lists several action words that reveal a God who longs for us to know Him. We are told to do these things:

• submit to God,
• resist Satan,
• draw near to God,
• cleanse our lives of evil actions,
• let Jesus purify our hearts,
• and humble ourselves before God.

We cannot draw near to God if we won’t submit to Him. We submit to Him by obeying His Word and resisting Satan’s traps, lies, and temptations. When we recognize and avoid the traps of the devil, we can cleanse our lives of the actions that followed those lies. Once we recognize our sin, we ask Jesus to forgive and purify us. Of course, none of this is possible unless we are willing to humble ourselves before the Lord.

3. Pride. The lack of humility is another reason people decide God hates them. When they ask, “Does God hate me,” what they often mean is, “Will God accept me and this pet sin of mine that I do not intend to change?” The clear answer from Scripture is “no.” When we define ourselves by a certain sin, that means we are unwilling to allow Jesus to give us His identity (Romans 8:29). Repentance is part of salvation, and we cannot accept the new nature He provides (2 Corinthians 5:17) if we will not let go of the old one (Luke 9:23). Pride insists that God must do it our way—and when He refuses to bend for us, we decide He hates us. But He refuses to bend for us because He loves us (John 3:16–18). If His way is the right way, then the only loving thing He can do is to insist that we do things His way. To allow anything less is not loving at all.

Pride was the first sin (Isaiah 14:12–14) and the sin that corrupted humanity (Genesis 3:5–6; 1 John 2:15–16). Pride will go along with God on some things but insists on having the final vote. When we exalt ourselves as God’s judge and jury, we are living in pride. When we pass judgment on His Word rather than allowing it to judge us, we are walking in pride (Psalm 119:105). Pride convinces us that God’s unchanging standard is proof that He hates us. So, many times, people who declare that God hates them are defining themselves by a sin and demanding that God accept that sin. He will accept people, but they must cast off pride and confess their sin, agreeing with Him about the sin they are defending (John 6:37; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11).

God does not hate anyone, in the sense of withholding blessings unfairly. However, those who, by their life choices, set themselves against Him cannot expect His blessing and protection (1 Samuel 2:30; Malachi 2:2). Those who choose rebellion against God’s plan for their lives will experience the consequences of their choices (Matthew 7:13–14; 25:41; John 3:36). They will spend an eternity recognizing the rightness of their punishment for rejecting the sacrifice God’s Son made on their behalf (Luke 16:19–31; Hebrews 10:29). The good news is that we never have to experience God’s righteous wrath upon our sin if we accept Jesus as our substitute (Romans 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21). He took our punishment so that God’s love, not His wrath, could define our lives. If we reject all His attempts to bring us to Himself, He rejects us in the end and allows us to suffer the consequences (Psalm 119:118). As Hebrews 10:31 says, “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God by D.A. Carson

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[Patriot]

Is the king of Tyre prophecy in Ezekiel 28 referring to Satan?​

ANSWER

At first glance, the prophecy in Ezekiel 28:11–19 seems to refer to a human king. The city of Tyre was the recipient of some of the strongest prophetic condemnations in the Bible (Isaiah 23:1–18; Jeremiah 25:22; 27:1–11; Ezekiel 26:1– 28:19; Joel 3:4–8; Amos 1:9, 10). Tyre was known for building its wealth by exploiting its neighbors. Ancient writers referred to Tyre as a city filled with unscrupulous merchants. Tyre was a center of religious idolatry and sexual immorality. The biblical prophets rebuked Tyre for its pride brought on by its great wealth and strategic location. Ezekiel 28:11–19 seems to be a particularly strong indictment against the king of Tyre in the prophet Ezekiel’s day, rebuking the king for his insatiable pride and greed.

However, some of the descriptions in Ezekiel 28:11–19 go beyond any mere human king. In no sense could an earthly king claim to be “in Eden” or to be “the anointed cherub who covers” or to be “on the holy mountain of God.” Therefore, most Bible interpreters believe that Ezekiel 28:11–19 is a dual prophecy, comparing the pride of the king of Tyre to the pride of Satan. Some propose that the king of Tyre was actually possessed by Satan, making the link between the two even more powerful and applicable.

Before his fall, Satan was indeed a beautiful creature (Ezekiel 28:12–13). He was perhaps the most beautiful and powerful of all the angels. The phrase “guardian cherub” possibly indicates that Satan was the angel who “guarded” God’s presence. Pride led to Satan’s fall. Rather than give God the glory for creating him so beautifully, Satan took pride in himself, thinking that he himself was responsible for his exalted status. Satan’s rebellion resulted in God casting Satan from His presence and will, eventually, result in God condemning Satan to the lake of fire for all eternity (Revelation 20:10).

Like Satan, the human king of Tyre was prideful. Rather than recognize God’s sovereignty, the king of Tyre attributed Tyre’s riches to his own wisdom and strength. Not satisfied with his extravagant position, the king of Tyre sought more and more, resulting in Tyre taking advantage of other nations, expanding its own wealth at the expense of others. But just as Satan’s pride led to his fall and will eventually lead to his eternal destruction, so will the city of Tyre lose its wealth, power, and status. Ezekiel’s prophecy of Tyre’s total destruction was fulfilled partially by Nebuchadnezzar (Ezekiel 29:17–21) and ultimately by Alexander the Great.

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

God’s Devil: The Incredible Story of How Satan’s Rebellion Serves God’s Purposes by Erwin Lutzer

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[Patriot]

What does the Bible say about people who are wise in their own eyes (Proverbs 26:12)?​

ANSWER

Solomon offers quite a bit of counsel to encourage people not to be wise in their own eyes. One such warning is Proverbs 26:12, which says, “Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.” Given the Bible’s description of fools as corrupt rebels prone to trouble, the warning not to be wise in one’s own eyes should be taken seriously.

Those who are wise in their own eyes are exhibiting the worst kind of foolishness. The pride of thinking he has all the answers blinds a person to reality. To be wise in one’s own eyes keeps him from seeking the counsel of the Lord and from seeking wisdom from those who truly do have some answers. Those who are wise in their own eyes are unteachable.

In Proverbs 3:7 Solomon instructs his son not to be wise in his own eyes, and he counteracts that type of pride with the instruction to “fear the Lord and shun evil.” When we are wise in our own eyes, we fail to have the proper fear of the Lord—the proper perspective of Him as the Sovereign Creator. When we fail to acknowledge Him, we fall into the path of evil. Solomon wants his son to avoid that error.

Elsewhere, Solomon says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice” (Proverbs 12:15, ESV). And he notes that the tendency of the rich is to be wise in their own eyes, but a poor person who has understanding can judge rightly (Proverbs 28:11).

Solomon isn’t the only biblical author to critique a person’s being wise in his own eyes. Isaiah pronounces a judgment on those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight (Isaiah 5:21). This intellectual conceit is a form of pride, and the Bible has plenty to say about pride. James reminds his readers that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Those who are wise in their own eyes are not following God’s wisdom at all (see James 3:15–17). Paul instructs the Corinthians that true wisdom comes from God. God’s wisdom is foolishness to the world and is embodied in Jesus Christ; consequently, we boast not in ourselves but in God (1 Corinthians 1:30–31).

A prime example of people who were wise in their own eyes are the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. They refused to heed Jesus’ instruction, thinking they had no need to be taught by a rustic rabbi from Galilee. Because of their willful blindness, they missed out on the kingdom of God. Jesus confronted them about their stubborn pride: “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him” (Matthew 21:31–32). There was more hope for the “fools” who believed (the tax collectors and prostitutes) than for those who were wise in their own eyes (the chief priests and elders of the people).

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

Proverbs: Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom & Psalms by Tremper Longman III

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[Patriot]

What does the Bible say about popularity?​

ANSWER

We all crave acceptance by others. Babies are socialized by learning to read the cues from those they want to please and adjusting their behaviors accordingly. However, when we seek most of our validation and self-worth from the opinions of other people, we are on the wrong path. Popular opinion changes like the breeze, and when we place too much importance on it, we are setting ourselves up for an endless string of disappointments. As long as we pursue popularity as a means to happiness, we are flirting with idolatry. When we find our personal worth in anything or anyone besides God, we are creating an idol. An idol is whatever or whomever we use to meet deep, heartfelt needs that only God can meet.

The desire to be popular is more than merely wanting others to think well of our character—we should desire to have a good testimony in the world (Philippians 2:15). A focus on popularity is an obsession with self. The craving for popularity is part of the “pride of life” mentioned in 1 John 2:16. It feels good to the ego to consider ourselves popular, and we tend to bask in that feeling rather than deal honestly with ourselves about our own weaknesses. This leads to pride. Pride inflates our view of our own importance and blinds us to our sins and failings (Proverbs 16:18; Romans 12:3). Even when the choice to please others does not involve open disobedience to God, pride is always at the heart of the desire for popularity. And God hates pride (Proverbs 8:13; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).

Popularity is an elusive god that many have chased to their own destruction. King Herod was basking in popularity at the very moment of his ghastly, public death (Acts 12:19–23). False teachers are always popular with the “itching ears” crowd (2 Timothy 4:3). A sad example of choosing popularity over God is found in John 12:42–43: “Many even among the leaders believed in [Jesus]. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.” Everyone who desires to be popular will have to choose many times between the approval of others and the approval of God. God’s plan for us is often in conflict with the world’s plan for us (1 John 2:15). To be “popular,” we must choose the world. But doing so means Jesus is not Lord of our lives; we are (Luke 9:23).

Galatians 1:10 says, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” According to this verse, we cannot consistently please both God and the world. The desire for popularity is rooted in our old sinful nature. When we give in to it, we are living “according to the flesh” (Romans 8:5, 12). Even Christian leaders can fall prey to this seductive desire. Teachers or preachers who become intoxicated with their own popularity are at risk. Unchecked, a desire to be popular can lead them to become men-pleasers, teach heresies (2 Peter 2:1), and design their ministries to please the most people (2 Timothy 4:3) rather than remain true to the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

Jesus is our model. He was a favorite with both God and man as he grew up (Luke 2:52). But there was never a contest in His mind about which He would choose, and He proved that over and over again (John 8:29; Mark 1:11). He did not let temporary popularity influence Him or dissuade Him from His purpose (John 6:15). He never shied away from the hard truths, even when it meant rejection (John 6:66), threats (John 11:53–54), and, eventually, death (John 19:16).

Jesus gives us a perfect example of the way He wants us to relate to others. We are not here to make a name for ourselves. We are here on assignment from our Heavenly Father (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19). People may love us, or they may hate us, but our commitment to our purpose should never waver (Hebrews 12:1–3). When we choose to allow God to define our value rather than other people, we free ourselves to follow everything Jesus calls us to do. He knew it would be hard, but He gave us the best counsel when He said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:11–12).

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney

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[Patriot]

What does it mean to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit (Philippians 2:3)?​

ANSWER

Philippians 2:3–4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Paul goes on to instruct the Philippians to have the same mindset as Jesus when relating to others, and he details just how humble Jesus was. What does it mean to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit?

First, let’s define a few terms. Selfish ambition can be understood as “motivation to elevate oneself or to put one’s own interests before another’s.” It is a self-above-others approach. The Greek term here carries with it a connotation of contentiousness. In fact, the King James Bible translates the word as “strife.” Vain conceit means “excessive pride” or “self-esteem that has no foundation in reality”; vain conceit is an elevated and incorrect sense of self. Therefore, doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit means not letting our actions be motivated by selfishness, pride, or one-upmanship.

We can learn how to avoid acting out of selfish ambition or vain conceit by looking at the contrasting words in the same context. The opposite of being selfish and vain is to “in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3–4, ESV). We must learn to be others-focused, not self-focused. If we’re putting others first, we won’t be conceited or proud or overly ambitious. It’s hard to be self-important when we’re considering others as more important.

In Philippians 2:1–2 Paul writes, “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” It is through understanding our salvation that we can live in unity with other believers and love them in Christ. The basis of our being like-minded and free of strife is four-fold: 1) we are united with Christ, 2) we are comforted with God’s love, 3) we have the same Spirit, and 4) we have been given tender compassion for others. When we truly see how much Christ has done for us and understand the fullness of His love, pride and selfishness melt away. Those who know the love of Christ do not wrangle for position within the family of God; rather, they recognize the purpose of the body of Christ and live it out. They are willing to take a lower place in order to serve others (1 Peter 4:10). They engage in Christian fellowship with a focus on loving God and others (Mark 12:30–31).

Philippians 2:3b–4 instructs believers to value others above themselves and look out for their interests. We do not elevate ourselves above others but willingly sacrifice in order to love them. When all believers act this way, we are of one mind and everyone is cared for. Paul gives similar instructions to the Galatians, counseling them to carry each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and to do good to all, especially fellow believers (Galatians 6:10). Jesus was the epitome of servanthood. Shortly after washing His disciples’ feet, something usually done by the lowliest of servants, Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34–35). Jesus’ love was self-sacrificial. He acted for the best of others rather than for His own glory (see Matthew 20:28).

In Philippians 2:5–11 Paul details Jesus’ example of humility. Jesus was “in very nature God, [yet] did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage” (Philippians 2:5). Rather, the Son of God became human. More than that, He humbled himself to the lowliest position and died a shameful criminal’s death in our place. How can we who follow such a Lord act in pride? When we consider what Christ did for us, we learn not to be so self-absorbed. Jesus promised that, as we seek to glorify God, our needs will be met (Matthew 6:25–34), so we can focus more on meeting the needs of others.

When we understand the incredible sacrifice, grace, and mercy of God on our behalf, we realize that we have no use for pride. When we recognize God’s abundant grace, provision, and love, we understand that we have no need for selfishness. We need not focus solely on our own interests because we rest in our Savior. We have been adopted into an eternal family, and we can learn to love that family as the Father loves us. Rather than be motivated by selfishness or pride, we can be of one mind with fellow believers and put their interests before our own.

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

Landmines in the Path of the Believer: Avoiding the Hidden Dangers by Charles F. Stanley

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[Patriot]

What does the Bible say about ego?​

ANSWER

While the word ego does not appear in the Bible, concepts and principles regarding the ego certainly do. The word ego generally refers to an exaggerated sense of self-importance, which usually results is an excessive preoccupation with “self.” But dying to self, the polar opposite of ego, is the biblical model for Christians. The Bible is filled with admonitions against the self because of man’s inherent desire to be worshiped. In fact, all the various forms of modern idolatry have self at their very core. The dark forces of this age have convinced many that contentment is achieved only by satisfying the urges of the self. And we can trace this all the way back to the Garden of Eden where Eve became stirred by Satan’s lie that she could “be like God” (Genesis 3:5).

The opposite of ego is humility, and both the Old and New Testaments are laden with references to living humbly. In the book of Micah we read, “What does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). King Solomon declared, “Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4). One verse that epitomizes why we are to be humble is Peter’s exhortation in his first epistle: “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5, emphasis added).

Indeed, Scripture makes it clear that God hates pride and arrogance (Proverbs 8:13). In fact, it was pride that turned Lucifer into Satan. Isaiah 14:13-14 describes Satan’s astounding focus on self: “I will ascend…I will raise…I will sit… I will ascend…I will make myself like the Most High.” This is a perfect example of pride going before destruction (Proverbs 16:18), for in the next verse in Isaiah we see where Satan’s pride got him: “But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit” (v.15). Christ reiterated the fate of the proud, warning that “whoever exalts himself will be humbled” (Matthew 23:12). Clearly, an inflated ego and its focus on self are not in keeping with the Christian call for humility. Rather, it is the antithesis of what characterizes true Christians—dependence on God and service to others.

A humble heart has no room for ego or pride or arrogance because it recognizes that all we have and all we are comes from God, as Paul reminded the Corinthians: “For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). Every gift, every talent, every breath we take—all are from God, as is our most precious gift, salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). “Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded…by the law of faith” (Romans 3:27).

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of humility (Mark 10:45; Philippians 2:5-8). “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). Indeed, Jesus did not come to earth to be served, but to serve, making “himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). We see an expression of Christ’s selfless attitude in the Garden of Gethsemane when He said to His Father in heaven, “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39), and then on the following day when He humbly endured the tortures of the cross so that we could be reconciled to our Father in heaven.

Paul is another beautiful example of humility in action. And even though he was perhaps the greatest advocate of Christ there ever was, he still considered himself as the “least of the apostles” and the “worst” of sinners (1 Corinthians 15:9; 1 Timothy 1:15). He always encouraged those who followed Christ to emulate Jesus’ humility, encouraging them, and us, to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves,” adding that we should not simply look to our own interests, but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2: 3-4; Romans 12:10). That is the essence of humility and the opposite of ego.

Jesus taught us that the greatest commandments were to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbor as we love our self (Matthew 22:37, 39). When we strive to keep these commandments, we take the focus off ourselves and place it where it should be—on God and on helping others. In the Christian life devoid of ego, the “I will” becomes a “thy will.”

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

Ego Trip: Rediscovering Grace in a Culture of Self-Esteem by Glynn HarrisonMore insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!

 

[Patriot]

What does the Bible say about narcissism?​

ANSWER

Narcissism is the term used in psychology to describe a preoccupation with self. It is a Greek term taken from the name of the mythological Narcissus, who fell in love with his own image and was doomed to die because he would not turn away from it. A narcissist is a person who displays a high level of selfishness, vanity, and pride. He sees everything from a “how does this affect me?” perspective. Empathy is impossible for the narcissist because his only perspective is the one centered on self. In psychology, narcissism is seen as a broad spectrum of conditions ranging from normal to pathological.

The Bible says that we are born sinful since the fall (Romans 5:12). This means that we are born with only sinful tendencies and no ability to be “good” or righteous on our own. What we call “human nature” the Bible calls “the flesh” (Galatians 5:19-21). Part of our sin nature is a total focus on self. This focus, also called “egocentrism,” is how babies see and experience the world. Narcissism is like egocentrism in that the adult still relates to the world like an infant, a perspective that impedes personal growth and relationships.

Psychological theories about narcissism suggest that the narcissistic person uses defense mechanisms to idealize self so that he does not have to face his own mistakes (sin) or flaws (fallen state). The diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder outlines the behavior patterns of a narcissistic person as being haughty, non-empathetic, manipulative, and envious; he also possesses a sense of entitlement and grandiosity. From a biblical perspective, it is clear that these heart conditions are due to pride, which is sin (Proverbs 16:18). The Bible tells us to “look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). The narcissist routinely disobeys this command.

Pride is a reason people do not feel they need a savior or forgiveness. Pride tells them they are “good” people or have a “good” heart. Pride also blinds people to their own personal responsibility and accountability for sin. Narcissism (pride) masks sin, whereas the gospel reveals the truth that leads to remorse for sin. Narcissistic traits can be dangerous because, at their worst, they will lead a person to destroy others to satisfy the lust of the flesh (2 Timothy 3:2-8).

The Bible addresses the issues related to narcissism as part of our sinful natural self (Romans 7:5). We are slaves to the flesh until we place our faith in Jesus, who sets the captives free (Romans 7:14-25; John 8:34-36). Believers are then slaves to righteousness as the Holy Spirit begins the transforming work of sanctification in their lives. However, believers must surrender to the Lord and humble themselves in order to have God’s perspective rather than a selfish one (Mark 8:34). The process of sanctification is turning away from self (narcissism) and turning toward Jesus.

All people are narcissists until they either learn how to cover it and get along in the world or until they recognize their own flesh and repent of their sin. The Lord helps people to grow out of narcissism when they receive Jesus as their savior (Romans 3:19-26). The believer is empowered to begin loving others as himself (Mark 12:31).

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God by D.A. Carson

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[Patriot]

What are some Bible verses about arrogance?​

ANSWER

1 Samuel 2:3
Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

Romans 12:3
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

Isaiah 13:11
I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant, and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless.

Proverbs 27:2
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 16:5
Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Psalm 94:4
They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast.

Mark 7:20-23
And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Romans 14:1
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

Proverbs 29:9
If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

Psalm 17:10
They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

Proverbs 26:12
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 21:24
“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.

Unless otherwise noted, all Bible verses are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Special thanks to OpenBible.info for the data on the most well-known Bible verses.

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

The MacArthur Topical Bible: A Comprehensive Guide to Every Major Topic Found in the Bible

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[Patriot]

What does the Bible say about egotism / egoism?​

ANSWER

Egotism is an excessive focus or occupation with oneself driven by an inflated sense of self-importance. Egoism is a preoccupation with oneself yet may be without the inflated self-importance. Egoism also refers to the belief that self-interest is the motivation for and/or the valid end of all action. The human tendency toward being an egotist/egoist is no surprise from a biblical perspective. It is also something the Bible speaks against, and God soundly dealt with egotists such as King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4).

At the root of egotism is self. Egotism is ultimately driven by pride and thinking oneself worthy of the utmost attention or capable of complete self-sufficiency. At times, an egoist may be motivated by past hurt. Betrayal, abuse, or abandonment may cause a person to believe he must always look out for himself—because no one else will. Rather than trust others, someone who has been hurt may isolate herself and believe she can only trust herself. Though not pride as we would generally conceive of it, this is still an unbiblical stance that raises self to the status of a god.

Philippians 2:1–11 is one passage that speaks to egotism. Verses 3–4 say, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” We are to look to the interests of others based on the example of Jesus Christ, who, though He is God, humbled Himself to live a human life and die a humiliating death in our stead. In both the Old and New Testaments, followers of God are called to humility; we are not to have an over-inflated sense of self-importance. Humility is not self-debasement or a lack of confidence. Being humble does not mean that we neglect our own needs or uphold no boundaries. Rather, humility is having an accurate estimation of oneself wherein we think of ourselves less often. We are not preoccupied with ourselves; rather, we see and care about the needs of others. We are willing to sacrifice our own preferences for the benefit of others.

Christians understand that serving self is not the highest goal. To those who are egotistical due primarily to pride, the Bible reminds us that all have fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). We are each sinners, enslaved to sin, dead in guilt, and in need of a Savior (John 8:34; Romans 6:15–23; Ephesians 2:1–5). On our own, we are nothing and only deserving of hell (John 3:16–18). In truth, there is no justification for pride. But, in Christ, we are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17). We become children of God (John 1:12; 1 Peter 2:9–10). God is the one who validates our existence and gives meaning to our lives. Egotism ultimately leaves people empty. As with all sin, egotism promises a reward it is incapable of delivering (James 1:14–17; Galatians 6:8). It is only in God that we find true life (John 10:10).

The truth of who God is and His gift of salvation resolve the fear-based motivation for egoism. First Peter 5:5–7 says, “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” In Matthew 6:25–34 Jesus says not to worry but to instead seek God’s kingdom first and trust Him for our needs. We can see how God cares for sparrows and the grass of the field, and we trust that we are of much more worth to Him. We don’t need to look out for ourselves as number one because God is looking out for us. He alone is fully capable to meet all of our needs, and we can trust that He will.

God alone is to be worshiped. He is of utmost importance. We can never take His place—either by thinking of ourselves so highly that we believe we deserve to be the center of all attention, or by remaining in a wounded condition that causes us to distrust everyone. Egotism is a natural human tendency. But it is one born of sin that only results in disappointment. Rejecting egotism, Christians are called to entrust themselves to God. Out of the love He lavishes on us, we are to love others (John 13:34–35). We are called to put others above ourselves, care for other people, and attend to their needs. Ultimately, we are to surrender our lives completely to God, worshiping Him alone, loving Him with all of our being, and loving others with His love (Matthew 22:37–40; Galatians 6:2–10). It is in giving of ourselves, not in putting ourselves first, that we actually find life (Matthew 16:24–25).

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

Ego Trip: Rediscovering Grace in a Culture of Self-Esteem by Glynn Harrison

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[Patriot]

How does Satan tempt us?​

ANSWER

Satan and his demons are constantly tempting human beings to sin against God, and the Bible gives us many examples. The devil “prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Satan fills people’s hearts with lies (Acts 5:3). He is “the tempter” (1 Thessalonians 3:5).

In Satan’s temptation of Eve in Genesis 3 and in his temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4, we see the tactics he used and still uses with us. While varied in their details, most temptations fall into one of three categories listed in 1 John 2:16: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

In Satan’s first temptation of Jesus, he appealed to the lust of the flesh. Jesus was very hungry, and Satan tempted Him to use His power to make bread for Himself. Jesus resisted the temptation, but the encounter shows that Satan does not play fair. He exploits our physical weaknesses and kicks us when we’re down. He knows the weak places in our flesh and looks for opportunities to stir illicit passions inside our hearts.

When Satan tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, he suggested to her that the Lord was keeping something delicious from her (Genesis 3:6). When he tempts us with the lust of the flesh, he points to a natural desire and suggests that we should meet it in our own selfish way. Eve’s natural desire for food was not wrong, but Satan exploited it. That desire became sin when she fulfilled it in an ungodly way. Sexual immorality begins with a natural desire for intimacy. But if we have not allowed Jesus to become a greater passion, the tempter may convince us that we must meet this need our own way.

The second way Satan tempts us is through the lust of the eyes. Eve’s eyes told her something about the fruit that conflicted with what God had said about it. Eve’s eyes rebelled against God’s commandment and “saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye” (Genesis 3:6). Our eyes play a major role in our decision-making. We see something we want, and our flesh agrees that we must have it. In this age of visual overstimulation, our eyes take in millions of bits of information through the day, and, unless we filter that information through a pure heart (Matthew 5:8; Psalm 24:4), our eyes will lead us into sin.

Samson started his downhill slide with the lust of the eyes. Judges 14—16 details Samson’s flirtation with sin and the tragic results. As God’s chosen leader, Samson had no business hanging out in Philistine territory, much less flirting with their women. But his eyes led him into sin: “Then Samson went down to Timnah and saw . . . one of the daughters of the Philistines. So he came back and told his father and mother, ‘I saw a woman. . . . Get her for me, for she looks good to me” (Judges 14:1–3, emphasis added, NASB).

When Satan tempted Jesus, he tried to get the Son of God to lust with His eyes, showing the Lord all the kingdoms of the world and offering to give Him everything—without the cross. Jesus defeated Satan’s temptation with the Word of God (Luke 4:8; cf. Deuteronomy 6:13). Despite what His eyes saw, Jesus would not be swayed by it. Therefore, in Jesus’ case, Satan could not exploit the lust of the eyes.

The pride of life is a weakness we all succumb to at times. Satan tempts us with the desire to be our own gods, and he is adept at stroking our ego. Eve’s desire to be made wise led her to sin in Genesis 3. In her pride of life, she rejected the Lord’s right to rule over her and chose instead to make her own decisions. In essence, she became her own god. Christians can play into Satan’s hands when we hold out on full surrender to the lordship of Jesus. We tend to give more consideration to pleasing other people than to pleasing God. We like to retain “veto power,” just in case God wants us to do something we don’t want to do.

Satan tempted Jesus with the pride of life in Luke 4:9–11. He gave Jesus an opportunity to “show off” and publicly prove that He was the Son of God. The act would involve a spectacular miracle, the Father’s care, and many angels. Jesus’ response to Satan’s third temptation was to again quote Scripture (Luke 4:12; cf. Deuteronomy 6:16).

Satan tempts us in many ways, but “we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11). We know he masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), trying to make evil look good. We know he manipulates with false guilt, exploits natural weaknesses, and twists Scripture. We know he deceives and distracts and destroys. He has many fiery darts, but they are all quenched with the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16). We can overcome the temptations of Satan, because “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Satan may tempt us through the lust of the flesh, but we “do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:4). Satan may tempt us through the lust of the eyes, but our prayer is “Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word” (Psalm 119:37). Satan may tempt us through the pride of life, but we humble ourselves continually before the Lord (1 Peter 5:6; James 4:10).

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

The Truth About Lies: The Unlikely Role of Temptation in Who You Will Become by Tim Chaddick

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[Patriot]

What does it mean to cut Rahab in pieces in Isaiah 51:9?​

ANSWER

Most Bible readers know Rahab as the heroine of the battle of Jericho story (Joshua 2; 6:22–25). But the name Rahab is also associated in the Bible with a mythical sea creature. In the original Hebrew, the spelling is slightly different: the Rahab of Jericho was רָחָב, while the Rahab of the sea was רַהַב. The difference is a cheit versus a hei as the middle letter.

Bible writers sometimes used the imagery of Rahab, a monster of chaos, as a derogatory representation of Egypt, as in Isaiah 51:9:

“Awake, awake, arm of the Lord,
clothe yourself with strength!
Awake, as in days gone by,
as in generations of old.
Was it not you who cut Rahab to pieces,
who pierced that monster through?”

We know this is a poetic allusion to God’s deliverance from Egypt, because the next verse mentions Israel’s crossing of the Red Sea:

“Was it not you who dried up the sea,
the waters of the great deep,
who made a road in the depths of the sea
so that the redeemed might cross over?” (Isaiah 51:10)

In other words, God’s magnificent miracle involving the Red Sea is depicted as a great battle in which God slays a sea monster, cutting it into pieces. The prophet Isaiah harkens back to the exodus as he predicts the captivity in Babylon; he is crying out for God to display His mighty power of deliverance just like He did long ago. Israel would need another exodus.

Earlier in Isaiah, Rahab also stands for “Egypt.” In Isaiah 30:1–7, Judah is portrayed as seeking refuge and protection from Egypt instead of depending on the Lord for help. The prophet contends that Egypt’s assistance was “utterly useless. Therefore I call her Rahab the Do-Nothing” (verse 7). Egypt was proud and powerful under Pharoah’s rule—a raging sea dragon—but it was helpless and humiliated when confronted by the strength of Yahweh. Israel needed to seek their help from the Lord.

The prophet Ezekiel pronounced an oracle against Egypt, that ancient enemy of the Lord who had enslaved God’s people. She is not named Rahab in Ezekiel, but Pharaoh, king of Egypt, is addressed as “you great monster, lurking in the streams of the Nile” (Ezekiel 29:3, NLT).

In other places in the Bible, Rahab can picture something other than Egypt. Scripture depicts God as the all-powerful architect of the world, in full control of the elements. In the book that bears his name, Job stresses the weakness of humans when compared to the omnipotent invincibility of God. One of Job’s examples of God’s power is His control of the sea:

“By his power he stilled the sea;
by his understanding he shattered Rahab.
By his wind the heavens were made fair;
his hand pierced the fleeing serpent” (Job 26:12–13, ESV).

This passage is likely a reference to creation, as God brings order out of chaos (see Genesis 1). The poetic description involves God crushing and wounding Rahab—the dragon of chaos. The waters of the earth are pictured as a proud, enraged monster that God tamed and brought under control (see also Job 9:11–15). Job’s point is that, if the great and mighty Rahab (a tempestuous sea) could not stand up against the Lord, how can mere humans expect to prevail against Him?

Psalm 89:9–10 uses imagery similar to that of Job to show God’s mastery over the forces of nature and of evil:

“You rule the raging of the sea;
when its waves rise, you still them.
You crushed Rahab like a carcass;
you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm” (ESV).

Interestingly, The Hebrew name Rahab means “pride, arrogance.” The Bible reveals that God opposes the proud and brings them low (2 Samuel 22:28; Jeremiah 50:31; Isaiah 2:11–12; Proverbs 15:25; 16:18; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). This is true for the pride of the sea, the pride of ancient Egypt, and the pride of sinful humans.

In Scripture, Rahab the sea monster symbolizes rebellion and power and pride. But the forces of evil can’t hold a candle to the supreme power of the God of the universe. Rahab is “cut to pieces” by Him, and all that humans take pride in will come to naught. Nothing in all creation threatens God’s supremacy because He is God Most High (Genesis 14:18–20). All things, no matter how monstrous, are under His control (Nehemiah 9:6; Daniel 2:21; 4:35; 1 Chronicles 29:12).

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

Isaiah 40-66, New International Commentary on the Old Testament by John Oswalt

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[Patriot]

What are capital sins?​

ANSWER

Roman Catholicism teaches that capital sins are the root and source of all other sins. The earliest antecedent of this doctrine was written in the fourth century by a monk named Evagrius Ponticus, who originally listed eight “evil thoughts”: gluttony, lust or fornication, avarice, dejection or sadness, anger, despondency or listlessness, vainglory, and pride. Later, that grouping of eight was reduced to seven items by Pope Gregory the Great in the sixth century. Gregory folded vainglory into pride and despondency into sadness, and added envy, thus formally creating a list that included only seven “capital sins,” or “deadly sins.” Today, the list of capital sins is as follows: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, anger, and sloth.

Capital sins derive their name from the Latin caput, meaning “head.” Thomas Aquinas later would call them not “sins,” but “vices.” Aquinas declared that a capital vice is that which has a desirable end so that, in his desire for it, a person commits many sins. All sins can be traced back to a particular vice as the root source. To illustrate, if a man has lust for his neighbor’s wife, that vice may cause him to commit adultery, to lie to many people, to neglect or abandon his family, and perhaps even to physically hurt people. The man’s multiplying sins are driven by the initial capital sin of lust.

It is true that pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, anger, and sloth are sins, and it is true that such evil desires in the heart can lead to other sins (see Matthew 15:19). But it would be wrong to think of the seven capital sins, or seven deadly sins, as worse in God’s eyes than any other sin. All sins in God’s eyes are equal; they are all “missing the mark.” Stealing is no worse than pride, and greed is no worse than lying; there are no small sins or big sins, because all sin is equally offensive to our holy and pure God. God cannot and will not allow any sin in His holy presence—none (Habakkuk 1:13).

Capital sins, or deadly sins, are not named as a group in the Bible; however, the Lord does mention some things that He hates and even makes a list of them: “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who stirs up conflict in the community” (Proverbs 6:16–19). All sin results in death (Romans 6:23). Praise be to God that, through the blood of Jesus Christ, all our sins are forgivable—even the “capital sins.”

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

Something Needs to Change: A Call to Make Your Life Count in a World of Urgent Need by David Platt

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[Patriot]

What does the Bible have to say about lust?​

ANSWER

The dictionary definition of lust is "1) intense or unrestrained sexual craving, or 2) an overwhelming desire or craving." The Bible speaks of lust in several ways. Exodus 20:14, 17 (NLT), "Do not commit adultery. . . Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else your neighbor owns," or Matthew 5:28, "But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Job 31:11-12 (NLT) sums up lust quite nicely: "For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. It is a devastating fire that destroys to hell. It would wipe out everything I own."

Lust has as its focus pleasing oneself, and it often leads to unwholesome actions to fulfill one’s desires with no regard to the consequences. Lust is about possession and greed. The Christian faith is about selflessness and is marked by holy living (Romans 6:19, 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30, 6:19-20; Ephesians 1:4, 4:24; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, 5:23; 2 Timothy 1:9; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16). The goal of each person who has put his/her faith in Jesus Christ is to become more and more like Him each day. This means putting off the old way of life of which sin was in control, and conforming one’s thoughts and actions to the standard put forth in Scripture. Lust is in opposition to this ideal.

Nobody will ever be perfect or attain sinlessness while still on this earth, yet it is still a goal for which we strive. The Bible makes a very strong statement regarding this in 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8, "God has called us to be holy, not to live impure lives. Anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human rules but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you." If lust has not yet gripped your heart and mind, ready yourself through a life lived above reproach to combat the temptations of lust. If you currently struggle with lust, it is time to come clean before God and ask for His intervention in your life, so that holiness can be a mark of your life as well.

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

Something Needs to Change: A Call to Make Your Life Count in a World of Urgent Need by David Platt

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[Patriot]

What is the lust of the eyes?​

ANSWER

The phrase “lust of the eyes” is found in 1 John 2:15-17: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” What is this “lust of the eyes”?

Simply put, the lust of the eyes is the sinful desire to possess what we see or to have those things which have visual appeal. This coveting of money, possessions, or other physical things is not from God, but from the world around us. John emphasizes that these physical things do not last; they will pass away. In contrast, the child of God is guaranteed eternity.

The Ten Commandments addressed the lust of the eyes in its prohibition against coveting. Exodus 20:17 commands, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” Coveting can include a desire to have people, possessions, or status.

Satan uses the lust of the eyes as one avenue of temptation. Part of the reason Eve listened to the serpent in the Garden was that she looked at the forbidden fruit and saw that it was “pleasing to the eye” (Genesis 3:6). Satan used a visual image to help entrap her. Satan tried a similar tactic on Jesus. One of his temptations in the wilderness was an attempt to make Jesus covet earthly power. Satan used a visual: he “showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor” (Matthew 4:8). He then promised to give them to Jesus—for a price. Of course, Jesus did not succumb to the lust of the eyes, and Satan was defeated (verses 10 and 11).

We must follow Jesus’ example and, in the power of the Holy Spirit, resist the lust of the eyes. The world is full of “eye candy,” glamor, and gaudiness. Materialism beckons with its promise of happiness and fulfillment. A media-saturated society bombards us with advertising campaigns that might as well say, “Covet this!”

All that glitters is not gold, and the child of God knows that fame, fortune, and finery quickly fade (Proverbs 23:5). Our focus is not the newest product or latest fashion. Our goal is not to keep up with the Joneses or to surround ourselves with the trappings of glittering magnificence. Instead, our goal is “to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings” (Philippians 3:10). Our eyes are set on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). Our view is to eternity.

Cecil Alexander, the Irish hymnist, said it this way:

“Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the vain world’s golden store;
From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, ‘Christian, love Me more.’”

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

Landmines in the Path of the Believer: Avoiding the Hidden Dangers by Charles F. Stanley

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[Patriot]

What is the lust of the flesh?​

ANSWER

Sinful lust is an overpowering desire for that which God has forbidden. First John 2:15–16 mentions three types of lust that lead us into greater sin: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” The lust of the eyes occurs when we see something visually that incites covetousness, jealousy, or sexual lust. The pride of life is the desire in every human being to be his or her own god. Arrogance, self-promotion, and greed all stem from the pride of life. The lust of the flesh is also one of the foes we fight.

When the Bible refers to “the flesh,” it can mean one of two things. The first meaning of the word flesh pertains to living beings on earth such as animals, birds, and people (1 Corinthians 15:39). But most often the Bible uses the word flesh to refer to the propensity to sin we possess in our earthly existence. Our sinful nature, dominated by sin and rebellion, is so closely tied to the physical aspect of mankind that it is called “the flesh.” Every human being is born of the flesh, the union between a man and a woman that produced another flesh-bound human. Desires that arise from being fleshly creatures in a fallen world can quickly become sinful lusts.

Desires that arise from the fact that we are earth-bound, fleshly creatures are not sins in themselves. We desire food, water, shelter, sex, and comfort. God created us with those desires. However, we are born sinful, desiring to please ourselves, regardless of God’s moral law (Romans 3:10, 12). When fleshly desires rule us, taking priority over God’s will, they cause us to violate God’s righteousness. They become lusts. For example, hunger propels us to find food. Eating is good. It is not sin. Jesus ate and drank when He was on the earth (Luke 24:42–43). But when hunger becomes a lust for food, it turns into gluttony, which is a sin (Proverbs 23:20–21). When natural sexual desires turn perverse, they lead to homosexuality, adultery, fornication, and other sexually related sins. Those are lusts of the flesh.

First John 2:17 contrasts the lust of the flesh with its more desirable counterpart, pleasing God: “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God remains forever.” In other words, if we follow the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, we cannot do the will of God, and therefore will not inherit eternal life (Matthew 7:21; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10; Galatians 5:19–20). Those who have been born again by faith in the sacrifice of Jesus will continually put to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:12–14). We will not allow the lust of our flesh to control our lives; rather, we will choose to consider ourselves “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20) so that we might live for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

Landmines in the Path of the Believer: Avoiding the Hidden Dangers by Charles F. Stanley

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[Patriot]

What does the Bible say about overcoming lust?​

ANSWER

Most words in the Bible that are translated “lust” mean “a passionate desire.” Strong desire can be either good or bad, depending upon the object of that desire and the motive behind it. God created the human heart with the capacity for passionate desire so that we would long after Him and His righteousness (Psalm 42:1–2; 73:25). However, the concept of “lust” is now usually associated with a passionate desire for something God has forbidden, and the word is seen as synonymous with sexual or materialistic desire.

James 1:14–15 gives us the natural progression of unrestrained lust: “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

According to this passage, sinful lust begins with an evil desire. Being tempted by evil is not the sin. Jesus was tempted (Matthew 4:1). The sin begins when the evil desire “drags us away” from where our hearts need to be. When an evil desire introduces itself, we have a choice. We can reject it as Jesus did and refocus on the path God has set before us (Matthew 4:10). Or we can entertain it. As someone once said, “We cannot stop the birds from flying overhead, but we don’t have to let them make a nest in our hair.” When temptation beckons, we need to remember that we are not helpless. We can choose to give in or to resist.

The reason we are “dragged away” by temptation is that we are “enticed.” That word in the Greek refers to bait, as on a fishing line. When a fish sees the wiggling worm, he is enticed by it and grabs hold. Once the hook is set, he can be “dragged away.” When we encounter temptation, we should immediately reject it as Joseph did when he was tempted by Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:11–12). Hesitation opens the door to enticement. Romans 13:14 calls such hesitation “making provision for the flesh.” Like the unwary fish, we grab hold of the tempting thought, believing it will delight and fulfill us. We savor the fantasy, imagine new and sinful scenarios, and entertain the idea that God has not provided all we need for happiness (Genesis 3:2–4). This is foolish. Second Timothy 2:22 says, “Flee youthful lusts.” To “flee” means to take off immediately. Joseph did not stick around to consider his options. He recognized sexual temptation, and he ran. When we hesitate, we make provision for the flesh and give it the opportunity to choose evil. Often, we are overwhelmed by its power. Samson was a physically strong man, yet he was no match for his own lust (Judges 16:1).

The next step in the downward progression of temptation, according to James 1, is that “desire conceives.” Lust begins as a seed, a thought packed with wrong desire. If we allow the seeds of lust to germinate, they will sprout into something bigger, more powerful, more difficult to uproot. Temptation becomes sin when it is allowed to germinate. Desire takes on a life of its own and becomes lust. Jesus made it clear that lust is sin, even if we do not physically act on it (Matthew 5:27–28). Our hearts are God’s domain, and when we allow evil to grow there, we defile His temple (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19).

Wrong desires plague every human being. The tenth commandment forbids coveting, which means lusting for something that is not ours (Deuteronomy 5:21; Romans 13:9). The human heart is constantly seeking to please itself, and when it discovers something or someone it believes will satisfy, lust begins.

It is only when our hearts are dedicated to the glory of God that we can overcome intrusive desires and conquer lust. When we surrender to the Lord, we find our needs met in a relationship with Him. We must “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). We must allow the Holy Spirit to keep our thoughts where He wants them to be. It helps to pray daily the words of Psalm 19:14: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” When our heart’s desire is to please God more than ourselves, we can keep lust at bay.

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

More Than a Battle: How to Experience Victory, Freedom, and Healing from Lust by Joe Rigney

Overcome lust, pornography, and masturbation with an online Christian support group — Try Relay for free!

 

[Patriot]

What is wrong with viewing pornography, if I don’t lust after the person?​

ANSWER

First, it is good to recognize that lust is sin (Matthew 5:28; 1 John 2:16). However, it is also important to be honest with ourselves. Porn and erotica are meant to incite lust in the heart. The only reason pornography exists is that so many people give in to lustful thoughts. It is impossible to view pornography and not struggle with lust—the desire to have something or do something that conflicts with the will of God. Even if one is not lusting after the particular person in the picture or movie, he or she is harboring desires that conflict with God’s holiness. Viewing porn is always sin.

We are responsible to guard our hearts against lust (Proverbs 4:23). This is important because the result of letting down our guard can be fatal: “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:14–15).

Trying to narrow the definition of lust or splitting hairs concerning the object of lust is a way to make sin seem more acceptable. We must remember the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13). The flesh says, “I want this,” and God says, “No, it’s not good for you.” That’s when Satan steps in and says, “Maybe we can work out a compromise.”

If we desire something God has forbidden, we are lusting. Jesus said that lust in the heart is just as sinful in God’s eyes as the actual act of adultery (Matthew 5:27–28). God has blessed the sexual union of a husband and wife (Song of Solomon 5:1), and He has issued severe warnings against sex outside of marriage (e.g., Hebrews 13:4). No one has the right to look at the nakedness of another person—or to look lasciviously at a clothed person—unless he or she is married to that person.

It’s difficult to live purely in an impure world, and all of us struggle with this issue. We need the armor of God as we fight this battle (Ephesians 6:10–18). We should follow the example of Joseph, who, when confronted with temptation, ran away (Genesis 39:12; cf. 2 Timothy 2:22). We should commit to purity as Job did: “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman” (Job 31:1). “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh” (Romans 13:14).

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

X3watch,Every Man’s Battle: Winning the War on Sexual Purity One Victory at a Time, andThe Counquer SeriesOvercome lust, pornography, and masturbation with an online Christian support group — Try Relay for free

 

[Patriot]

How can I get rid of lustful thoughts?​

ANSWER

Lust is any strong desire; sinful lust is desire for something that God has forbidden. Lustful thoughts produce lustful actions, and lust acted upon always leads to devastation. Eve lusted for the delicious fruit from the one tree about which God had said, “You must not eat from it” (Genesis 2:16–17). Her act of eating and giving some to her husband opened the door for sin to enter God’s perfect world. David lusted for Bathsheba, another man’s wife, and, when he acted upon that lust, it led to murder and the death of his infant son as part of God’s judgment (2 Samuel 11:2–4, 14–15; 12:13–14). Wicked actions begin with lustful thoughts, so it is important that we get rid of such thoughts as soon as they arrive.

To get rid of lustful thoughts, we must first define our areas of greatest temptation. Lust is not always of a sexual nature. Greed is lust for money or power. Envy is lust for the popularity or position someone else holds. Coveting is lust for anything we do not have. Lust starts with a thought. While we are not responsible for every thought that enters our heads, we are responsible for what we do with those thoughts.

Second Samuel 13 recounts the tragic story of lustful thoughts turning to wicked actions. King David’s son Amnon became obsessed with his half-sister Tamar. Because he did not get rid of his lustful thoughts, they consumed him until he committed the horrific act of raping her. After his lust was sated, he no longer cared what happened to Tamar, and he discarded her like a piece of garbage (verse 15). Lust cares only about satisfying its urges; it cares nothing about the people who will be hurt by it. A lustful thought must be seen as the enemy it is before it takes over our lives.

When we hold on to a thought that we know is displeasing to God, it can quickly become sinful lust. The desire grows until it creates dissatisfaction with our current situation. Lust imposes upon us the belief that happiness and contentment are impossible unless we have what we want. James 1:13–15 describes the progression from lustful thought to lustful action: “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

We can get rid of lustful thoughts by replacing them with thoughts that are “true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8). We must “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). We must repent of entertaining lustful thoughts and ask the Lord’s help in redirecting our thoughts.

If the lustful thoughts we are trying to get rid of involve another person, we can defuse their power by turning those thoughts into prayers for the other person’s well-being. By bringing that person before the Lord, we weaken lust’s power to objectify him or her. We must recognize each person’s value as a creation of God and remember that God has higher plans for him or her that do not include us. When we bring our will into agreement with God’s will, we learn to see this person as He does, not as lust does.

Stopping lustful thoughts also requires filtering the information we are allowing into our minds through our senses. Our thoughts are usually the product of what we have seen, heard, touched, and tasted. By controlling what we allow in, we can greatly reduce the material available in our minds for lust to exploit. If pornographic images have been burned into our minds through sinful viewing, we can ask the Lord to replace those images over time. By refusing to look at things that incite lust, filtering out music or language that creates lustful thoughts, and banishing lustful memories from our repertoire, we can starve lustful thoughts until they have little to work with.

Memorizing and meditating on Scripture is also a good way to avoid lustful thoughts and renew our minds as Romans 12:1–2 instructs us to do. Keeping worship music playing in our ears also focuses our minds on that which is good, pure, and beautiful. A Christian’s life is to be one of ongoing surrender. As we daily surrender ourselves to the lordship of Christ, He helps transform a sinful thought life into one that pursues Him. Lustful thoughts invade all of us from time to time, but taking authority over them, rejecting them before they take root, and seeking God’s help can give us victory.

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

Something Needs to Change: A Call to Make Your Life Count in a World of Urgent Need by David Platt

Overcome lust, pornography, and masturbation with an online Christian support group — Try Relay for free!

 

[Patriot]

Is it a sin to look at a woman’s body?​

ANSWER

Lust is any strong desire; sinful lust is desire for something that God has forbidden. Looking lustfully at a woman’s body produces lustful actions, and lust acted upon always leads to devastation. Eve lusted for the delicious fruit from the one tree about which God had said, “You must not eat from it” (Genesis 2:16–17). Her act of eating and giving some to her husband opened the door for sin to enter God’s perfect world. David lusted for Bathsheba, another man’s wife, and, when he acted upon that lust, it led to murder and the death of his infant son as part of God’s judgment (2 Samuel 11:2–4, 14–15; 12:13–14). Wicked actions can begin with looking with lust at a woman’s body, so it is important that we get rid of such thoughts as soon as they arrive.

Sin is in the heart (Matthew 7:20–23). Actions are merely indications of what was already in the heart. We cannot always control what our eyes see, what our noses smell, or what our ears hear. It is the heart that determines whether that which the senses perceive becomes sin. Medical professionals can look at women’s bodies all day and not sin. They are observing, evaluating, and working to keep women healthy. Heterosexual females can look at a woman’s body and not sin because it is simply an observation. So the act of looking at a woman’s body is not sin per se. It is what the mind does with that sensory input that determines whether or not it is sin.

Modesty is a natural instinct for human beings. After the first sin in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve immediately made garments to cover their nakedness (Genesis 3:7). No one told them to do that, but the moment they became sinners, they recognized the shame associated with public nakedness. Our world likes to defy that natural modesty and parade nakedness publicly. Girls are targeted at a young age by clothing manufacturers and pre-teen magazines that encourage them to show off their bodies in seductive ways. Sexual images assault our eyes everywhere we go. Mall-goers are typically confronted with giant photographs of immodestly dressed women, and even the youngest of children are forced to view them from their strollers. Those innocent children are not sinning; mere viewing is unavoidable and, in their case, incites no lust.

However, when the heart awakens to lust, many begin seeking ways to look at naked bodies for the sake of sexual fantasizing. That seeking is itself a sin because it arises from sinful intent (see Matthew 5:28). The Bible links evil purposes with sin: “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin” (James 1:14–15). Looking at a woman’s body, clothed or unclothed, with a heart of lust, is sin.

People who want to keep their minds and hearts pure must develop self-control and a greater desire to please the Lord than please themselves (1 Corinthians 10:31). Job wisely saw the danger of looking at a woman’s body lustfully, and he purposed in his heart to avoid that temptation: “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman” (Job 31:1). In warning his son to avoid the adulteress, Solomon included this admonition: “Do not lust in your heart after her beauty” (Proverbs 6:25). Recognizing physical beauty is natural, but do not allow the heart to lust or the gaze to linger.

Psalm 24:3 asks, “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?” The answer? “The one who has clean hands and a pure heart” (verse 4). In order to have fellowship with God, we must have “a pure heart.” That means our sins are confessed and abandoned (1 John 1:9); our hearts are devoid of lust and desirous of purity.

The sexual urges that may occur when seeing a woman’s body are not sin in themselves. They are part of being human. But what we do with those urges determines whether we start down a path of sinful lust or a path of integrity, purity, and self-control. When motivated by lust or stoking the fires of lust, looking at a woman’s body is sinful.

Wise people know their own areas of temptation and take steps to avoid having them exploited (Ephesians 4:27). Wise people who struggle with lust learn to avoid situations that call for compromise. Just as a recovering alcoholic knows to stay away from bars and clubs, those who cannot look at a woman’s body without lust know to stay away from pools, beaches, and entertainment that invites looking. That is not weakness; that is strength. That is not foolishness; that is wisdom (Proverbs 2:16–19).

FOR FURTHER STUDY​

Something Needs to Change: A Call to Make Your Life Count in a World of Urgent Need by David Platt

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