There are three categories of wrong-doing (sin).  The apostle John wrote in 1John 2:16 that they are a result of our nature, and the world we live in.  "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world."

The first is sexual--the flesh.  There are a multitude of ways to do the wrong things sexually.   The second is a desire for things that we see with our eyes.  A new car, house, dress, shoes....stuff.  But those two sins we can address and control if we have a desire to try to be in accordance with God's will.  However the third category is more subtle.  The pride of life.

Pride sneaks in before you know it.  You get a degree in college.  You get a promotion at work.  You become the CEO of a company.  Or you get elected by your peers to an office of importance.  Or maybe you are one of those people that God blessed with an attractive countenance.  You are pretty.  You are handsome.  Things are easy for you--and you start thinking you are special.

Pride is sneaky.  We want, we like, to be better than others.  We like the "Top Dog" feeling.  And before long we start thinking we are.  We start thinking that things should go the way we want them to--because we deserve it.  We've worked hard to get where we are.

Did you ever just stop and think that you could have been born somewhere else in the world besides America?  Or if you are like me, to some family that wasn't Christian.  Or born to a family that couldn't afford to send you to school--or didn't value education.  Or born to parents who were cruel, or drug addicts, etc. etc..   There are a zillion ways that God blessed you with opportunities that you didn't earn.  And didn't deserve.

So if you've "made it," and you are up there in the stratosphere that the world puts a high value on, remember that you didn't get there because you are special.  God had a purpose.  And it wasn't so you could buy more stuff.  Don't lose sight of how to use the things he has blessed you with.  And don't forget to mentor others who have not been so fortunate.  Help somebody.  Christ did.