Luther, writing on the first petition of the Lord's Prayer; "Now you perceive that this prayer contends against abominable pride, which indeed is the head, life, and very nature of all sin. Just as no virtue lives or is genuine when it is joined to pride, so no sin lives and inflicts harm if pride is dead. As a serpent has all its life in its head and, if that is dead, harms no one, just so, if pride were dead, all sins would be harmless."

I John 2:15-17

A. Lust of the Flesh= Sinful desire which arises from within a person and seek to gratify self.

B. Lust of the Eyes= A desire for sin which reaches beyond the sin a person can actually commit.

C. Pride of Life= Seeking to exalt oneself above God and His will, and therefore attempting to be something you are not.

These three categories of sin encompass all sin. When we are tempted it is in one of these three areas; flesh, eyes, or pride. These are the same temptations which all people experience. The same temptations which Jesus Himself experienced, therefore He is able to give us aid and strength against them, Hebrews 2:17-18.

Illustration of this pattern of Temptation:

1) Adam and Eve in the Garden; Genesis 3:1-7

2) Israel as a Nation; Numbers 13 & 14 (14:39-45) & Matthew 3:9 & John 8:33

3) Jesus; Luke 4:1-13 (9-11)

4) Ourselves ?

What are we proud of?

Make a list things we are at times proud of:

1) God's Word Concerning "The Pride Of Life."

James 4:16;

Proverbs 8:13;

11:2;

13:10;

16:18;

29:23;

Zephaniah 3:11;

Mark 7:20-23;

Proverbs 28:25;

James 4:6;

2) Examples Of The Consequences Of "The Pride Of Life."

Lucifer; Ezekiel 28:12b-18 & Isaiah 14:12-15

Nebuchadnezzar; Daniel 4:30-34

Lamech; Genesis 4:23-24

King Saul; I Samuel 15

3) God's Word To Us.

James 4:7;

Galatians 2:20;

An Example for us to follow; Nebuchadnezzar after he was restored, Daniel 4:34.