Tuesday, April 13: The Ego Tree

Before a baby is born, the seed is planted. Let’s call that seed, “sin nature.” That baby wants food, a blanket or a diaper change, and he isn’t thinking that you need a little sleep first, before you take care of his needs. He wants it now! The ego tree begins to grow, and continues with one of an infant’s first words, “Mine.” That one word demonstrates selfishness, and the tree continues to grow. As that child grows, his needs take precedence over the needs of others in every way. Just wait to see all the gifts he wants for Christmas! Most of the time, thankfulness will be non-existent. Once a little sapling, our ego tree is going to become a California sequoia before too long. It’s not a fatal flaw in some people; it is the fatal flaw of all people. Pride! It caused Lucifer to fall from heaven; it caused Adam and Eve to sin in the Garden of Eden; it causes each of us to be separated from God.


16 These six things the LORD hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
 Proverbs 6:16-19


We spend hours studying God’s love, yet we also know that God is capable of hatred. In the simple verse above, we see seven actions that will cause hatred in the Lord. Is it surprising that each of those can be tied closely to pride? The first one is a no-brainer, as someone strutting with a proud look is merely demonstrating on the outside what is occurring on the inside. Lying is the second offense mentioned, and most lies are to make us look better. The third offense goes hand-in-hand with the seventh commandment to not kill. Murder is certainly putting one’s own life ahead of the lives of others. To satisfy anger, a life is extinguished. Once again, it points to pride. Next, even one who plans evil causes hatred in God, and the one planning is certainly trying to elevate his own status in an unethical way. Next, are feet that run toward evil. Joseph ran away from evil, yet when we decide to sin, we don’t just walk slowly to accomplish that feat. We sprint. All sin points to pride, of us putting our own desires ahead of God’s desires in our lives. Next, is not just any lie, but the lie which condemns an innocent man. Two false witnesses lied about Jesus in His trial with Caiaphas. Lastly, the man who sows discord among brethren is mentioned. This can be done through lies or even spreading the truth. It brings up the old adage, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Gossip spreads like a forest fire in a dry climate. Once again, the typical reason that we have negative comments about someone else is those comments make us feel bigger or more important.


Pride! We all have an ego tree growing in our backyard. What does the Lord do with trees? He prunes them.


“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
John 15:2-4


What do we have to be proud of? Without the Lord, we are lost, blind, deaf and dead! He purchased our lives with His blood. We can boast in the Lord, but we have nothing to boast about in ourselves. Every talent is what He gave, not what we earned!