King of the Castle

The mound of snow on the playground was perfect for the game.  At the red-bricked grade school I attended, this particular game was a favorite at recess-time.  When the bell rang, the first boy or girl to make it to the top got to be “king” – the other children gathered at the base of the pile, waiting a turn to challenge the king’s position.  One by one, they’d storm up the hill and wrestle its occupant.  After a short scuffle, one child would prevail and the other would come tumbling down – arms and legs flailing – mitts, toque and scarf covered in clumps of frosty white crystals.  With raised arms, the child who managed to stay on top would then exercise his or her bragging rights:  “I’m the king of the castle, and you’re the dirty rascal!  NAH-nah-nah-NAH-nah!” – he or she’d taunt.

“King of the Castle” is a silly, childish game, but unfortunately, it’s a game that’s played in the lives of most adults – albeit on a much more sophisticated level.  In the grown-up game there are no physical hills… But still, people fight with one another for superiority.   Everyone wants to be “King of the Castle.”   Emotionally and psychologically we knock one another down so that we can claim the high place as our own.

Above All Others

Wanting to be “King of the Castle” is nothing new.  It is, in fact, the very desire that led to the downfall of the beautiful, mighty angel, Lucifer.  Lucifer attempted to raise his throne above all others and to arrogantly declare his independence of God (Is. 14:12-14). In essence, he told God, “You’re not the king of MY castle… I am!” Because of this conceit, Lucifer was cast from heaven.

The fallen devil then instilled in Adam and Eve the same craving that had led to his own demise.  He tempted them with the promise of god-like prominence, position, and power (Gen. 3:5).  “Why should God be the only King of the Castle around here?” he asked.  “If you eat this fruit you can be King of the Castle too!”

Sadly, humanity took the bait, and as a result, man’s entire nature was infected with pride (Rom. 1:21-23).  The devil fell under judgment because of arrogance, and he constantly entices us to fall into the same trap (1 Tim. 3:6-7). Pride was the devil’s undoing and remains the primary means by which he brings about the undoing of men and women.  That’s why we find constant warnings against pride throughout the pages of Scripture.

The Attitude of Christ

According to Proverbs, “Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.” (21:4, ESV).  In the Old Testament, a lamp or light were common metaphors for physical life.  There was no electricity, so if a lamp in a tent went out at night, the surroundings were pitch black – reminiscent of the darkness of death.  Therefore, what this verse is saying is that the sin of pride is at the very core of a wicked person’s life.  A sinful person regards himself as King of the Castle, and attempts to throw down anyone who challenges or refutes this claim.  His own self-interest is at the core of all he says and does.

This self-centered attitude stands in marked contrast to the attitude of Christ.  Jesus was humble.  God the Father’s glory – and not his own – is what motivated his behavior.  Paul expected all followers of Christ to adopt the same mind-set:

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant…he humbled himself…(Phil. 3:3-9, ESV)

Our behavior towards others is the true test of whether we are filled with pride or humility.  In humility, Jesus set aside his own interests to serve others.  Paul encouraged us to have the same attitude.  When we humbly recognize that God alone is King, we become willing to set aside our own desires to sacrificially serve others.  Our opinions and wishes become secondary to the opinions and wishes of our heavenly Father.  The more we bow before him in humility, the less apt we are to rival and fight with others.  Humility puts an end to our futile, childish attempts to be the King of the Castle.

A Step towards Humility

Babylon was the largest, most spectacular city of the ancient world – a city of incredible beauty, wealth, and power – the “glory of kingdoms” (Isa 13:19).  But according to the Bible, the city had one major flaw:  Its rulers and people were arrogant (Jer. 50:31). In pride, the Babylonians “promoted their own honor” and “relied on their own strength” (Hab. 1:7, 11).

What about you?  Is your heart filled with pride or with humility?  C.S. Lewis once said, “If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step.  The first step is to realize that one is proud.  And a biggish step too.”

The following list, based on Isaiah 47:5-10, outlines some of the prideful attitudes of the Babylonians.  Take a “biggish step” towards humility by examining the list and asking God to show you whether you are guilty of these faulty attitudes.  Put a check beside any you have.  As you do, it may by helpful to think back to the last time you felt irritated with a person or situation.  Was your irritation due to the fact that you were trying to be King of the Castle?

• [ ] Self-promoting (v. 5) “Look at me…see how great I am!”
• [ ] Self-righteous (v. 6) “My actions are justified. You deserve to be treated poorly.”
• [ ] Self-assured (v. 7) “I have what it takes! I am in control!”
• [ ] Self-enamored (v. 7) “I deserve to be pampered and treated like royalty.”
• [ ] Self-indulgent (v. 8 ) “I will not deny myself pleasure or be inconvenienced.”
• [ ] Self-absorbed (v. 8 ) “My wants and desires are the most important thing.”
• [ ] Self-secure (v. 8 ) “Failure and misfortune won’t happen to me. I will get what I want.”
• [ ] Self-reliant (v. 9) “I can control and manipulate circumstances to my advantage.”
• [ ] Self-satisfied (v. 10) “I’ve got it all together – I know what I’m doing.”
• [ ] Self-determined (v. 10) “I will do what I want… I don’t care what you think!”
• [ ] Self-centered (v. 10) “It’s all about me; my feelings, my wants and my desires.”

Make a habit of examining your heart on an ongoing basis.  As the Bible says, “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (1 Pet. 5:5)

© Mary A. Kassian

Permissions: You are permitted to reproduce this material on your blog or website given that you do not alter the wording in any way and that you provide the appropriate credit and a link to this website. Any printed copy or exceptions to the above must be approved by Girls Gone Wise.

Please include the following statement on any internet copy: © Mary A. Kassian, Girls Gone Wise. Visit Mary’s Website at: GirlsGoneWise.com