The Sin of Self

Paul give the Galatians a scouting report of the two opponents squaring off inside each of Jesus' followers.  

In one corner, the Spirit.  In the other, our flesh.  This cage match rages in every believer while we're on this side of the grave.  

Remember, this is not a fair fight.  These arch enemies are not evenly matched.  For those whom Jesus has saved, the outcome is certain.  

The Spirit WILL win (Rom 8:28-30).  He WILL finish what He started (Phil 1:6).

Earlier, Paul describes a list of tricks our flesh likes to use to distract us from the work of God's Spirit.  

"Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, first of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these" (Gal 5:19-21).  

Like a good coach, the apostle has scouted our opponent.  He tells us this is what we should expect our enemy to do.

So he comes to a two-sentence conclusion about the death match between God's Spirit and my flesh in Galatians 5:25-26.  First he tells us that since the Holy Spirit lives in each of us, we should allow Him to lead us.  

Submitting to His leadership will automatically lead to "love, joy, peach, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Gal 5:22-23).  

He concludes by writing, "Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another" (v26).  

My flesh wants me to take my eyes off of Jesus and put them back in the mirror.  Like a wounded animal, my flesh fights for its life.  

This is the sin of self.

The best way to understand this verse is to see it as one command with two examples.  The apostle's overriding call is to not become boastful and conceited.  

The implications of my self-centeredness and self-consumption are provoking and envying others.  This is the result of the sin of self.

Paul uses the Greek word κενοδοξος/kenodoxos.  It means the vain attempt to bring glory to ourselves.  This is a compound term that means "empty” (κενο-/keno-) glory (-δοξος/-doxos).  

The root word appears just twice, once as a noun (Phil 2:3) and here as an adjective.  The King Jimmy calls it "vain glory."  

The apostle uses it to describe the empty and futile attempt to shine the spotlight on ourselves.  It's a plea for applause.  

Let's call it what it is.  Conceit.

There is only One who is worthy of glory.  There is only One who deserves praise.  There is only One who warrants the credit.  There is only One who has earned the applause.  God.  

That was His warning to Moses on the mountain.  "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Ex 20:3).  He won't tolerate anyone trying to take the glory that only He rightly deserves.  "I the LORD your God am a jealous God" (Ex 20:4).

This foolish attempt at self-glory first rears its ugly head in the most beautiful place, Eden.  The serpent strokes Eve's ego and tells her that God's keeping the good stuff from her and her husband.  If they would just eat the forbidden fruit "you will be like God" (Gen 3:4).  

We know how that went down.  And the very same sin that got Adam and Eve kicked out of the garden is what got Satan kicked out of heaven.  "I will make myself like the Most High" (Is 14:13-14).  

The Bible constantly warns against the idolatry of our own reflection and God's active opposition of it (Mt 23:12; James 2:4; 1Pet 5:5; 1Jn 2:16).

It is empty glory.  It is the sin of self.  This is the logical implication of taking my eyes off of Jesus, the founder and perfecter of my faith (Heb 12:2).

The apostle gives us two results of our foolish attempt at self-glorification: "provoking one another, envying one another" (v16).  

Clearly the false gospel of the Judaizers had resulted in the rapid spread of the sin of self among the Galatian churches.  

That's what self-righteousness does.  When I make myself out to be responsible for my own salvation, it quickly and sinfully becomes all about me.  

God has called us to love Him first and others second.  Jesus called this combo command the greatest commandment of all (Mt 22:37-40).  

I'm to have a "me third" attitude.  God first.  Others second.  Me third.  That's what it means to "walk in the Spirit" (Gal 5:16, 25).  That's how we avoid the sin of self.

The idea of "provoking one another" is from the Greek verb προκαλεομαι/prokaleomai.  This is to irritate or provoke someone.  It literally means to call out.  

Paul is saying that when its all about me, I'm picking fights and challenging others for absolutely no reason.  This is like a hockey goon that has no other skill than to drop the gloves and pound his more talented opponent into the ice.  

When I'm the center of my universe, then I'm easily disrespected.  

That's the sin of self.

And the other result is "envying one another" (v26).  Someone has something that I feel is rightfully mine.  It's to experience a feeling of ill will due to a real or imagined advantage held by someone else.  

It's jealousy.  It's coveting.  You might remember that's one of the Big 10 (Ex 20:10).  Paul says that's exactly the opposite attitude that Jesus had.  

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" (Phil 2:3-4).  If Jesus, as God Incarnate, didn't fight for what was rightfully His, then why should we.  

That's the sin of self. 

©2012

Jay Jennings