What Is the Pride of Life?

1 John 2:16-17 says:
“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.”

The “pride of life” is a spiritual danger that reflects a heart rooted in self-glorification rather than God-glorification. Theologically, it refers to an attitude of arrogance and self-sufficiency that arises from possessions, achievements, or social status—trusting in worldly things instead of in God. It’s not just having material things, but finding your identity, purpose, or security in them.

According to 1 John 2:16, the pride of life—along with the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes—is not from the Father but from the world. These are the very elements that led to the fall of humanity (Genesis 3:6) and that continue to distract believers from God’s will today.

Jesus warned against this mindset in Luke 12:15-21, where He tells the parable of the rich fool:
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (v.15)

The rich man, after storing up goods for himself, thought he could finally relax and enjoy life. But God called him a fool, saying:
“This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” (v.20)

This teaches us a vital theological truth:
Real life—eternal life—does not come from what we own but from a relationship with God. The pride of life is ultimately idolatry; it replaces God with self or material things. Jesus emphasized in Matthew 6:19-21:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

So, we must ask ourselves:

• Where have you placed your hope and value?
• Is your confidence rooted in your bank account, property, education, job, or social image?
• Do these things make you feel secure or cause you to overlook your need for God?

If so, you may unknowingly be walking in the pride of life—a path that the Bible warns leads to destruction. Earthly things fade, but those who do the will of God abide forever (1 John 2:17).

True spiritual wealth comes from knowing Christ. Paul says in Philippians 3:7-8:
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ… I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”

Let us learn to value eternal things above temporal ones.

May the Lord help us to resist the pride of life and walk humbly with Him.

Maranatha – The Lord is coming!

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