Galatians 5.26
“Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Paul’s final word in chapter 5 is a warning: Do not be self-centered. When we operate from selfish ego, we envy one another, provoke one another, and fight with each other. Selfish ego is the source of great conflict in our world, and is sadly on display almost daily in our society.
James warned against this very thing in his customary straightforward way: “As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.” (James 4.16)
Arrogance and self-centeredness is the mark of the evil one, and he has left this corrupting influence everywhere on our planet. Even secular writers recognize the destructive impact of an arrogant ego. “The fundamental enemy of moral living is the fat relentless ego of humanity’s inherent selfishness,” writes one sociologist. “Every one of us lives with this enemy. It is that part of each of us that screams out “me first” and demands to be satisfied no matter who gets hurt along the way, and that includes hurting oneself in the long term to gain satisfaction in the short term.”
Selfish ego is an adversary that we must defeat. Best-selling author Ryan Holliday makes this observation: “Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, your worst enemy already lives inside you: your ego.”
Though not a follower of Christ, Holliday rightly observes and defines the impact of an arrogant ego: “It’s that petulant child inside every person, the one that chooses getting his or her way over anything or anyone else. It’s the sense of superiority and certainty that exceeds the bounds of confidence and talent. It’s when the notion of ourselves and the world grows so inflated that it begins to distort the reality that surrounds us.”
The title of Holliday’s book? Ego is the Enemy. Here is how he describes it: “The ego we see most commonly goes by a more casual definition: an unhealthy belief in our own importance. Arrogance. Self-centered ambition.”
This very same warning is communicated throughout the book of Proverbs:
“Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” (Proverbs 8.13)
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16.18)
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” (Proverbs 11.2)
And yet, despite the warnings, many people follow in the footsteps of the evil one and fall prey to the corrupting influence of arrogance and self-centeredness. Holliday offers a particularly clear statement of the dangers of self-absorbed arrogance: “Ego is the enemy of what you want and of what you have: Of mastering a craft. Of real creative insight. Of working well with others. Of building loyalty and support. Of longevity. Of repeating and retaining your success. It repulses advantages and opportunities. It’s a magnet for enemies and errors.”
Wow! Do you see the destructiveness of arrogance and self-centeredness?
In the book of Romans we are specifically instructed to avoid arrogance by exercising courageous self-reflection. Please note that this humble spirit is empowered by God’s grace in our lives. “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.” (Romans 12:3)
What a powerful scripture! We are not to have an inflated view of ourselves. Rather, in response to God’s grace, we are to think of ourselves “with sober judgment.” Again, we are to be courageously self-reflective. We must recognized we are saved sinners. We are to be humble about our strengths and honest about our weaknesses.
Note also that the opposite of “sober judgment” is a self-centered mindset that is impaired by the intoxicating influence of ego. It is a mind that is drunk on self. This is the old nature. It is our fallen nature. It is darkness, distortion, and death.
In Christ we are made new. We are redeemed and restored. We are liberated from the intoxicated ego and empowered by the Spirit to see ourselves clearly and courageously. May we listen to the voice of Truth, walk in the Spirit, reject the old nature, and humble ourselves before the Lord our God.
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:6,10)
