Revenge, lust, ambition, pride, and self-will are too often

"Revenge, lust, ambition, pride, and self-will are too often exalted as the gods of man's idolatry; while holiness, peace, contentment, and humility are viewed as unworthy of a serious thought." Thus declared Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher, who saw with piercing eyes the corruption of human desire. His words remind us that the world, blinded by its passions, crowns false rulers and bows to destructive powers, while casting aside the true treasures that give life strength and serenity. It is the old story of mankind—choosing glittering idols over eternal virtues.

The ancients would nod with grim knowing. In every civilization, men have erected shrines to their appetites. The Romans built monuments to ambition and conquest, worshipping their generals as demi-gods. The Greeks told tales where pride led kings like Agamemnon and Achilles into ruin. Nations have fallen not for lack of power, but for an excess of lust, self-will, and the relentless thirst for vengeance. Spurgeon names these for what they are: gods of idolatry, false deities demanding sacrifice but offering no lasting reward.

And yet, the quieter virtues—holiness, peace, contentment, humility—are dismissed as weak, as unworthy of a strong man’s heart. But history shows otherwise. Consider Marcus Aurelius, emperor of Rome, who despite commanding legions and ruling millions, sought peace within himself and wrote of humility as the true strength of kings. Or think of Gandhi, who wielded no sword, but by his contentment and steadfastness, shook the might of empire. These virtues, so often despised, proved mightier than armies and thrones.

Take also the tale of Joseph in ancient Egypt. Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and imprisoned unjustly, he could have pursued revenge when power was finally in his hand. Yet he chose forgiveness, and by his peace of heart, he preserved not only his family but a whole nation from famine. Had he followed the idols of ambition or pride, his story would have ended in bitterness and ruin. Instead, by the path of humility, his name endures as one of the great lights of history.

Children of tomorrow, remember this: the world will always tempt you with the glitter of false gods. It will tell you to pursue ambition at all costs, to feed your lust, to exalt your pride, to grasp power through self-will. These things shine bright for a moment, but they burn the soul to ash. The path of holiness, though narrow, leads to lasting joy. The gift of peace, though quiet, outshines the noise of war. The strength of contentment shields against endless want. And the crown of humility is the highest honor a man may wear.

Practical action is within reach. Train yourself daily to resist the idols: do not answer insult with revenge, but with patience. Guard your eyes and heart against lust, for it consumes without ever satisfying. Pursue purpose, not empty ambition, and let your victories be for the good of many, not for your own pride. And in place of these, cultivate the true virtues: seek peace in your dealings, contentment in what you have, humility in your station, and holiness in your heart.

Thus the lesson is clear: the world exalts what destroys, and despises what saves. Do not follow the multitude into idolatry. Follow instead the narrow way of virtue, for though it appears lowly, it is the only road that leads to greatness eternal. Spurgeon’s words ring across the ages like a trumpet call: forsake the false gods, and embrace the treasures that endure beyond time, beyond death, beyond the fleeting praise of men.