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Applying Jesus' Character to Areas of Pride and Selfishness

Jesus' character provides a profound example for believers seeking to overcome pride and selfishness, embodying humility, self-denial, and service to others [1, 3, 4, 6]. Pride, identified as a sin and hateful to God, often stems from self-righteousness, religious privileges, unsanctified knowledge, inexperience, and the possession of power or wealth [2, 5]. Selfishness, similarly, is contrary to God's law and inconsistent with Christian love, manifesting in self-love, self-pleasing, seeking one's own interests, and neglecting the poor [1].

The life of Jesus directly confronts these human tendencies. His humility is declared by himself in Matthew 11:29 and demonstrated throughout his earthly ministry [4, 6]. This humility was evident in his incarnation, taking on human nature (Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:16), his humble birth (Luke 2:4-7), and his subjection to his parents (Luke 2:51) [4]. He embraced a modest station in life, experienced poverty (Luke 9:58; 2 Corinthians 8:9), and partook in human infirmities (Hebrews 4:15; 5:7) [4]. Jesus submitted to ordinances like baptism (Matthew 3:13-15), became a servant (Matthew 20:28; Luke 22:27; Philippians 2:7), and associated with those considered despised (Matthew 9:10,11; Luke 15:1,2) [4]. He refused worldly honors (John 5:41; 6:15) and even washed his disciples' feet (John 13:5) [4]. This profound humility is a cornerstone of his character, offering a direct contrast to human pride [17].

Jesus' example of self-denial is a test of devotion to him, necessary for following him, for the spiritual warfare of saints, and for their ultimate triumph [3]. He demonstrated self-denial by refusing the devil's temptations (Matthew 4:8-10), acknowledging his lack of a permanent home (Matthew 8:20), and stating that he sought not his own will but the will of the Father (John 6:38) [3]. Paul further highlights Christ's self-emptying in Philippians 2:6-8, where he, "though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" [3]. This act of self-emptying, or kenosis, is a central aspect of his character that challenges selfish ambition.

Selfishness is explicitly condemned by Jesus' example [1]. He stated, "I don’t seek my own glory" (John 8:50) and "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work" (John 4:34) [1, 9]. Paul also points to Christ's example, noting that "Christ did not please himself" (Romans 15:3) and that "though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9) [1]. This demonstrates a life lived not for personal gain or comfort, but for the benefit of others. Selfish ambition, which can lead to confusion and evil deeds (James 3:16), stands in stark contrast to Christ's selfless service [7].

The application of Jesus' character to pride involves cultivating humility. Humility is necessary for the service of God and is a characteristic of saints [6]. Those who possess humility are regarded, heard, and enjoy the presence of God; they are delivered, lifted up, and exalted by God [6]. They receive more grace and are upheld by honor [6]. Jesus taught that the greatest in his kingdom are those who humble themselves (Matthew 18:4; 20:26-28) [6]. The path to Christ's kingdom is through humility, as pride is seen as the root of evil in humanity [17]. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, emphasized a spirit that becomes a Christian, citing Paul's words, "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment; yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing against myself, yet am I not hereby justified" (1 Corinthians 4:3-4), as an example of this spirit [13].

To combat selfishness, believers are called to self-denial. This involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts (Romans 6:12; Titus 2:12), controlling appetite (Proverbs 23:2), abstaining from fleshly lusts (1 Peter 2:11), no longer living to the lusts of men (1 Peter 4:2), and mortifying sinful lusts [3]. Ministers, in particular, are called to exercise self-denial (2 Corinthians 6:4,5) [3]. The apostle Paul found pleasure in weaknesses, insults, necessities, persecutions, and straits for Christ's sake, recognizing that when he was weak, he was powerful (2 Corinthians 12:10, Rotherham) [8]. This perspective aligns with the call to take up one's cross and follow Christ, which involves a willingness to endure suffering and deny personal desires for the sake of the Gospel [16].

Jesus' teachings frequently challenged self-righteousness, which he identified as vain and hateful to God [5]. Self-righteousness is characterized by external or partial righteousness, which is compared to "filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6) and is ineffectual for salvation [5]. Those prone to self-righteousness audaciously approach God, seek to justify themselves before God and men, reject God's righteousness, and condemn others [5]. Jesus' parable of the unjust steward, for instance, encourages using worldly possessions for good, emphasizing that how one manages resources impacts their standing in the afterlife [11]. His discourse at tables, even with those who watched him, was often to reprove what he saw amiss and to instruct them, rather than to seek personal affirmation [14].

The example of Christ provides a model for living a life free from the grip of pride and selfishness. His character demonstrates that true greatness lies in humble service, self-sacrifice, and unwavering obedience to God's will. This transformation is not merely an external act but an internal reorientation of one's desires and motivations, aligning them with the selfless love and humility exemplified by Jesus [12, 15]. The sympathy of Christ as High Priest, who was tempted in every way as humans are, yet without sin, offers encouragement and help to those striving to overcome these challenges [10].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Selfishness — Contrary to the law of God -- Le 19:18; Mt 22:39; Jas 2:8. The example of Christ condemns -- Joh 4:34; Ro 15:3; 2Co 8:9. God hates -- Mal 1:10. Exhibited in Being lovers of ourselves. -- 2Ti 3:2. Pleasing ourselves. -- Ro 15:1. Seeking our own. -- 1Co 10:33; Php 2:21. Seeking after gain. -- Isa 56:11. Seeking undue precedence. -- Mt 20:21. Living to ourselves. -- 2Co 5:15. Neglect of the poor. -- 1Jo 3:17. Serving God for reward. -- Mal 1:10. Performing duty for reward. -- Mic 3:11. Inconsistent with Christian love -- 1Co 13:5. Inconsistent with communi”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Pride — Is sin -- Pr 21:4. Hateful to God -- Pr 6:16,17; 16:5. Hateful to Christ -- Pr 8:12,13. Often originates in Self-righteousness. -- Lu 18:11,12. Religious privileges. -- Zep 3:11. Unsanctified knowledge. -- 1Co 8:1. Inexperience. -- 1Ti 3:6. Possession of power. -- Le 26:19; Eze 30:6. Possession of wealth. -- 2Ki 20:13. Forbidden -- 1Sa 2:3; Ro 12:3,16. Defiles a man -- Mr 7:20,22. Hardens the mind -- Da 5:20. Saints give not away. -- Ps 131:1. Respect not, in others. -- Ps 40:4. Mourn over, in others. -- Jer 13:17. Hate, in others. -- Ps 101:5. A hindrance to”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility of Christ, The — Declared by himself -- Mt 11:29. Exhibited in his Taking our nature. -- Php 2:7; Heb 2:16. Birth. -- Lu 2:4-7. Subjection to his parents. -- Lu 2:51. Station in life. -- Mt 13:55; Joh 9:29. Poverty. -- Lu 9:58; 2Co 8:9. Partaking of our infirmities. -- Heb 4:15; 5:7. Submitting to ordinances. -- Mt 3:13-15. Becoming a servant. -- Mt 20:28; Lu 22:27; Php 2:7. Associating with the despised. -- Mt 9:10,11; Lu 15:1,2. Refusing honours. -- Joh 5:41; 6:15. Entry into Jerusalem. -- Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5,7. Washing his disciples' feet. -- Joh 13:5. Obedi”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Righteousness — Man is prone to -- Pr 20:6; 30:12. Hateful to God -- Lu 16:15. Is vain because our righteousness is But external. -- Mt 23:25-28; Lu 11:39-44. But partial. -- Mt 23:25; Lu 11:44. No better than filthy rags. -- Isa 64:6. Ineffectual for salvation. -- Job 9:30,31; Mt 5:20; Ro 3:20. Unprofitable. -- Isa 57:12. Is boastful -- Mt 23:30. They who are given to Audaciously approach God. -- Lu 18:11. Seek to justify themselves. -- Lu 10:29. Seek to justify themselves before men. -- Lu 16:15. Reject the righteousness of God. -- Ro 10:3. Condemn others. -- ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
  7. James “For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. -- James 3:16”
  8. II Corinthians “II Corinthians 12:10 (Rotherham) — Wherefore, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, and straits, in behalf of Christ; for, as soon as I am weak, then, am powerful.”
  9. John “But I don’t seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges. -- John 8:50”
  10. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 4:15: For--the motive to "holding our profession" (Heb 4:14), namely the sympathy and help we may expect from our High Priest. Though "great" (Heb 4:14), He is not above caring for us; nay, as being in all points one with us as to manhood, sin only excepted, He sympathizes with us in every temptation. Though exalted to the highest heavens, He has changed His place, not His nature and office in relation to us, His condition, but not His affection. Compare Mat 26:38, "watch with me": showing His desire in the days of His flesh for the sympathy of those whom H”
  11. Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 16 (introduction): The scope of Christ's discourse in this chapter is to awaken and quicken us all so to use this world as not to abuse it, so to manage all our possessions and enjoyments here as that they may make for us, and may not make against us in the other world; for they will do either the one or the other, according as we use them now. I. If we do good with them, and lay out what we have in works of piety and charity, we shall reap the benefit of it in the world to come; and this he shows in the parable of the unjust steward, who made so good a hand of his lord's”
  12. Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:14: But God forbid that I should glory - Whatever others may do, or whatever they may exult or glory in, God forbid that I should exult, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; in the grand doctrine, that justification and salvation are only through Christ crucified, he having made an atonement for the sin of the world by his passion and death. And I glory, also, in the disgrace and persecution which I experience through my attachment to this crucified Christ. By whom the world is crucified unto me - Jewish rites and Gentile vanities are equally insipid to me; ”
  13. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: flattery, 592 592 [All of Field’s mss . give “flattery” (instead of “freedom,” as the text of most editions), and he has inserted “not” by conjecture, as it is said below in the case of David.—J.A.B.] listen to Paul, saying, “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment; yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing against myself, yet am I not hereby justified.” ( 1 Cor. iv. 3, 4 .) This is of a spirit that becomes a Christian; and again, “Dare any of you, having a matter against”
  14. Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 14:7: Our Lord Jesus here sets us an example of profitable edifying discourse at our tables, when we are in company with our friends. We find that when he had none but his disciples, who were his own family, with him at his table, his discourse with them was good, and to the use of edifying; and not only so, but when he was in company with strangers, nay, with enemies that watched him, he took occasion to reprove what he saw amiss in them, and to instruct them. Though the wicked were before him, he did not keep silence from good (as David did, Psa 39:1, Psa 39:2), for, no”
  15. Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 5:13: We have here the practical application of the foregoing principles to those disciples who sat listening to them, and to their successors in all time. Our Lord, though He began by pronouncing certain characters to be blessed--without express reference to any of His hearers--does not close the beatitudes without intimating that such characters were in existence, and that already they were before Him. Accordingly, from characters He comes to persons possessing them, saying, "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you," &c. (Mat 5:11). And now, continuing t”
  16. Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 16:23: Then said Jesus unto his disciples,.... Knowing that they had all imbibed the same notion of a temporal kingdom, and were in expectation of worldly riches, honour, and pleasure; he took this opportunity of preaching the doctrine of the cross to them, and of letting them know, that they must prepare for persecutions, sufferings, and death; which they must expect to endure, as well as he, if they would be his disciples: if any man will come after me: that is, be a disciple and follower of him, it being usual for the master to go before, and the disciple to follow af”
  17. Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 2:12: This shall be a sign (or token) unto you - You shall find this glorious person, however strange it may appear, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a stable! It is by humility that Christ comes to reign; and this is the only way into his kingdom! Pride is the character of all the children of Adam: humility the mark of the Son of God, and of all his followers. Christ came in the way of humility to destroy that pride which is the root of evil in the souls of men. And thus, according to the old medical aphorism, "Opposites are destroyed by their opposites."”
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