Pride of Life

Introduction

The Bert Show in Atlanta

Radio host who talked about his view of food

He mentioned it being fuel

This was not how I viewed fuel

This 3 minute conversation stuck with me and has influenced me

My hope today is that this conversation sticks with you

Series Intro Porn. Politics. & Protein

1 John 2:15–16 “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”

Protein — our obsession with physical health, fitness, and appearance

Protein is good.

It builds muscle, strength, endurance.

You need protein.

But somewhere along the way, we shifted from using protein as fuel to idolizing the results

chasing image

chasing performance

chasing control over how we appear to others

Protein itself isn’t the problem — the purpose changed.

It moved from health to identity

From fuel to pride.

From something that helps us grow to something we use to prove ourselves.

That’s the pride of life.

Taking something God created as good and turning it into something we use to elevate ourselves.

Tension

We live in a culture that praises and rewards self-reliance, performance, and opinion

We measure worth by achievement, influence, and image

Even in the church, we can start chasing platforms instead of presence

Pride is deceptive

It looks like strength but slowly separates us from dependence on God

It whispers, You’ve got this, while quietly eroding humility

And before long, we start protecting our image instead of pursuing intimacy with Christ.

Truth

1 John 2:15–17 “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”

John calls it the pride of life—the craving to be our own source of worth and wisdom

It’s the part of us that builds kingdoms instead of kneeling before the King

Jesus addressed this temptation

Matthew 6:19–21 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

Pride says: My worth is in what I build, own, or achieve

Jesus says: Your worth is in Me

Personal stories:

Cleaning your house before people come over, because you want them to see you at your best…

Like and follows on Social Media

We want to feel seen, important, and supported

Our feelings are attached to peoples responses

Paul teaches what humility looks like in motion

Philippians 2:3–8 “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

James reminds us why humility is the only way to freedom:

James 4:6–10 “And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”

The world says: Climb higher

Jesus says: Come lower

Application

Check your treasure

Ask: Where am I storing my worth? On earth or in heaven?”Shift your attention from building your name to blessing others.

Confess comparison

Write down one area where pride or jealousy has crept in. Replace comparison with gratitude and prayer

Practice hidden obedience

Do something this week that serves someone else and benefits no one but them

Let humility train your heart to treasure what lasts.

Closing Thought

Everything the world celebrates—status, success, influence—is fading. But whoever does the will of God lives forever

The question isn’t:

How high can I climb? but 

How surrendered am I willing to be?

Humility isn’t weakness—it’s strength under surrender.

When we treasure Jesus above all else, pride loses its grip and peace takes its place.