My Biggest Enemy

Caleb Schantz
Jul 25, 2017 · 2 min read

A stronghold is built around my life, created by morality and wisdom, complete with towering walls and a moat with lava. As soon as I think it’s impenetrable the enemy sneaks in the back door. However, instead of sending him out I welcome him as an old friend. I listen patiently to his ideas and excitement arises in me. His knowledge seems wise as the walls begin cracking and the drawbridge is let down.

This enemy is pride and today I was suddenly stunned when I realized it had crept into my life again. These past few weeks I have been imagining how in the future I will live a minimalist lifestyle in a small house. This would allow me to have extra money, be generous and enjoy experiences rather than products. However today I was reading about Tesla’s new solar shingles. I imagined living in a house like the picture below with a sleek Tesla in the drive way. Then I thought about how I would need to make money for that so I began analyzing which of my current interest could generate the most cash.

Then suddenly it hit me. All the wisdom I thought I knew:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.

In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.

I realized I need a complete mental shift. I’m not the King in his stronghold of wisdom. No, I should be the pauper banging at the gate of God’s kingdom begging for mercy as the enemy closes in.

Even in my good intentioned desire for minimalism, I was imposing plans for my life on God. I was relying on my own finite wisdom rather than drawing from the everlasting well. How quickly the enemy attacks. The only tool I have learned to ward this off is to think about the next step you have to take in life and pray fiercely about it. When we think past that next step pride creeps in reminds us of all our old dreams of success, wealth, and fame.

I’m thankful that I realized this quickly and to solidify it I had to get these thoughts written down. Comment if you can relate.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade