Ego - one's image of oneself - morale; self-esteem; self-importance; egotism; conceit:
Origin From Latin ego (“I”).
Hi Rick, I'm thinking you may have hit upon something here. As I was studying it's meaning, it seems to me that ego may be the exact opposite of humility. This 'ego' must be what Alex was quoting "The old man must die. Buried with Him in baptism." Maybe that's what John was expressing in this verse.
John 3:30 He must increase, but
I must decrease.
It seems that ego is our, natural/carnal, view of our self as of greater value than others, and that 'I' must not only preserve 'self,' but advance self as much as possible. Whereas to be humble is to make self lower in status, prestige, or esteem - "decrease" self, and ultimately learn how to totally depend on Christ.
Here is a few things that Ray said about it.
http://bible-truths.com/lake15.html ---------------------------
I stated earlier that it is through LAW that God controls all things in the universe. Only the ego of the carnal mind is so great that it actually believes it is the exception to the universal rule, and is not subject to law, but is free from law. I tell you assuredly, it is not exempt from law.
v
Not only does the theory of free will demand that man be able to think uncaused thoughts and performed uncaused tasks, but that he can in fact, do these uncaused things contrary to and in opposition to God’s preordained stated plan and purpose. He must be blind indeed, who cannot or will not see that such a haughty presumption lifts such an one’s ego to that of a veritable "god’ in his own heart and mind.
http://bible-truths.com/kennedy2.htm ------------------------
You see, to the theological peanut galleries of the world, if God is responsible for everything in His creation, then He couldn't be justified in burning billions in eternal Hell fire! But if they can make man responsible, then it's his own doing. But for man to be responsible, God would have had to have given him much greater powers than even our Lord ever possessed.
"Verily, verily, I am saying to you, The Son can not be doing anything of Himself ... " (John 5:19).
Are we greater than our own Lord? Answer:
" ... apart from Me you can do nothing." (Jn. 15:5).
Well, there it is. God has given man no such powers.
"It is not in man to direct his own steps" (Jer. 10:23).
I know that this verse is shocking to contemplate. It is a real ego deflator. People do not want their self-esteem brought that low. They love to talk humble pie, but they won't eat it. If God tells us we can't even "direct our own steps," pray what can we do by ourselves? The true and Scriptural answer is just as shocking:
" ... for apart from Me [Christ] you can do NOTHING" (John 15:5).
I know this truth is too high for most. Most don't really meditate on such verses. They certainly would never preach a sermon on them. They wouldn't be able to take credit for their own salvation anymore (if they actually believed these Scriptures). They would be forced to get rid of all their self worth. They couldn't feel all puffed up like the King of Assyria if they acknowledged God's total Sovereignty in their lives. They don't have to believe it now. God isn't breaking anyone's arm to accept these truths.
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mercy, peace and love
Kat