A Biblical Reflection on Pride and Wrath
Pride Ignites a Deadly Feud
The TV show Fear Thy Neighbor dramatizes real life neighborly disputes that spiral into violence and on February 1 2021 a heavy snow blanketed Westberg Street in Plains Township Pennsylvania showcasing how pride led Jeffrey Spaide and his neighbors to ruin. The air was crisp the kind that stings your face and the neighborhood just 20 miles from Scranton was hushed under a thick white layer. Beneath that serene surface tension crackled like ice about to break. Jeffrey Spaide a 47 year old retired Navy veteran stood on his porch watching James and Lisa Goy shovel snow across the street. They weren’t helping they were tossing snow onto Spaide’s property a prideful jab in a feud that had simmered for years. This tragedy later featured on Fear Thy Neighbor shows how pride destroys love mirroring the show’s theme of feuds turned fatal. The Jeffrey Spaide shooting wasn’t just a crime it was a warning of pride’s ruinous path against God’s call to love our neighbor.
The argument started small but grew ugly fast. “You’re scum” Spaide yelled his voice cutting through the frosty air as witnesses recalled. “You’re a coward” the Goys shot back their prideful taunts laced with venom per surveillance footage aired on Fear Thy Neighbor. Words became deadly when Spaide grabbed a handgun and returned. Gunfire shattered the stillness James and Lisa Goy lay dead in the snow and Spaide turned the gun on himself. Fear Thy Neighbor captivates with such stories but as Christians we must see pride’s role and seek the gospel’s hope. This tragedy reflects Romans 9:20–21 calling us to bow to God’s sovereignty and love our neighbor not let pride lead to ruin.
Bow to the Sovereign Potter Reject Pride (Romans 9:20–21)
We’re diving into God’s Word and it hits hard. Romans 9:20–21 (KJV) says “Nay but O man who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour and another unto dishonour?” This is God’s megaphone proclaiming His sovereignty over every soul every situation. It’s a call to reject pride and love your neighbor not to fall into the fear and conflict of Fear Thy Neighbor. I’m preaching in the fire of Martyn Lloyd Jones and Jonathan Edwards with Matthew Henry’s clarity to unpack these verses and apply them to the tragedy of Jeffrey Spaide James and Lisa Goy. Pride led them to ruin but God’s Word commands us to love not destroy. Let’s get to it.
Gods Sovereignty Humility Over Pride
Romans 9:20–21 is a wake up call. Paul shuts down pride: “Who art thou that repliest against God?” You don’t argue with the Creator. The potter analogy is clear God is the sovereign potter shaping humanity as He wills making vessels for honor or dishonor. Matthew Henry says “God is under no obligation to give account to us; His will is the rule of His actions.” Jonathan Edwards preached this with fire showing God’s glory in His sovereign choice. Martyn Lloyd Jones urged us to tremble before God’s majesty not cling to pride like rebels.
This sets the stage for the Spaide Goy tragedy a perfect fit for Fear Thy Neighbor which thrives on neighborly conflicts spiraling out of control. On that snowy day Jeffrey Spaide a 47 year old veteran of the Navy Army National Guard and Navy Reserve shot and killed James Goy 50 and Lisa Goy 48 over a snow shoveling dispute then took his own life. Neighbors called Spaide “quiet” and “particular about the care of his home” keeping it “perfect to a tee.” The Goys living across the street for 15 years were territorial yelling “You’re parked in our spot” or confronting Spaide over garbage placement. Shannon Lie recalled “They overreacted quite a bit… It was intimidating.” The Goys dumped snow onto Spaide’s property ignoring his plea to stop. Spaide insulted them the Goys taunted back with slurs like “pansy” and James threw a tool. Spaide grabbed a handgun fired and used an AR style rifle to finish the act leaving the Goys’ 15 year old autistic son orphaned now with grandparents. Romans 9:20–21 shows God’s sovereignty over this darkness. We trust His righteousness and reject pride to love our neighbor.
Pride Fails to Love Your Neighbor
Why does Fear Thy Neighbor resonate? It exposes pride’s failure to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31). The show shows how disputes over snow parking or property lines explode when pride rules. The Goys’ pride showed when they dumped snow and taunted Spaide with slurs. Spaide’s pride drove him to murder. Their feud simmered fueled by bitterness. Neighbors noted the Goys’ territorial acts like spray painting a parking line or leaving a “childish” note on a fence over rocks saying “In case you forget.” Spaide felt targeted especially after a “no parking” sign appeared in front of his house which he blamed on the Goys. Proverbs 16:18 warns “Pride goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride chose hate over love fear over forgiveness and death followed. Romans 3:23 says “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” This tragedy like Fear Thy Neighbor stories mirrors our hearts prone to pride not love.
Edwards would’ve preached this in Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God warning sinners hang over hell’s flames. Lloyd Jones would’ve pleaded for repentance. The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor but Fear Thy Neighbor shows pride leads to fear fearing differences slights disrespect. Spaide feared the Goys’ mockery the Goys feared Spaide’s defiance. Pride led to hate and hate to murder. Leviticus 19:18 commands “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” This is God’s law from His sovereign will as the potter.
The Churchs Failure to Curb Pride
The church fails to counter the pride in Fear Thy Neighbor. Many churches avoid Romans 9’s hard truths softening God’s sovereignty to avoid offense. They’re scared to call out pride or urge love for neighbors. Martyn Lloyd Jones said the church needs biblical preaching but we’ve traded it for feel good messages. Edwards would decry our silence on pride’s consequences like the Spaide Goy tragedy. The church fails when it doesn’t model humility when it’s too busy with programs to show forgiveness.
A brother shared his church’s failure: elders too afraid to enforce God’s standards because one dominates with a “his way or the highway” attitude leaving the congregation dry like Ezechiel’s “dry bones” (Ezechiel 37:1–2). They’re too lazy to preach the gospel and out of 100 members maybe five attend prayer meetings. This is the church failing to love neighbors failing to share the gospel that could’ve humbled Spaide or the Goys. Instead of mirroring Fear Thy Neighbor conflicts we’re called to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13–16) showing Christ’s humility.
The Boldness of Humble Preachers
Contrast this with young preachers who loved God and neighbor enough to reject pride. Charles Spurgeon preaching at 16 and pastoring by 19 shook England with the gospel calling sinners to repent and love through Christ. George Whitefield preaching to thousands at 22 sparked the Great Awakening with piercing sermons. They bowed to the potter’s hand trusting Romans 9 and preaching it boldly. Spurgeon faced critics Whitefield faced mobs. They loved neighbors by proclaiming Christ’s redemption not fearing rejection.
If Spaide or the Goys had heard such preaching that God is sovereign pride is sin love is commanded they might’ve chosen reconciliation not the violence of Fear Thy Neighbor. Spurgeon and Whitefield feared God and loved souls. The Spaide Goy tragedy shows pride’s ruin. These preachers show submitting to God brings revival and love.
The Gospel Humility Through Christ
Romans 9:20–21 humbles us before God’s sovereignty but points to hope. The potter shapes us and His mercy saves us from pride’s ruin. Fear Thy Neighbor shows depravity but the gospel shouts louder. Romans 5:8 declares “God commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” Spaide and the Goys were sinners like us. Their pride led to death but Christ’s death offers life. Edwards pleaded with sinners to flee God’s wrath Lloyd Jones called for faith in Christ. To love your neighbor you need Christ’s humility in you His Spirit transforming your heart.
The world watches Fear Thy Neighbor and demands better laws or nicer neighbors. The Bible says the problem is pride. Jeremiah 17:9 warns “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” Spaide’s rage and the Goys’ taunts came from proud hearts unsubmitted to God. The church must proclaim this. Spurgeon and Whitefield preached repentance boldly. We need that today urging humility and love not prideful fear.
A Call to Humility and Repentance
Romans 9:20–21 demands we bow to God’s sovereignty. You don’t argue with the potter. The Spaide Goy tragedy on Fear Thy Neighbor warns pride leads to ruin. Spaide could’ve walked away the Goys could’ve apologized. Pride won leaving death and an orphaned child. You’re no different. Are you loving your neighbor forgiving slights praying for their souls sharing the gospel? Or are you prideful fearing differences harboring bitterness? Repent. Turn to Christ who loved us when unlovable. Edwards would beg you to flee to Jesus Lloyd Jones would point to His grace.
Church reject the pride of Fear Thy Neighbor. Preach God’s sovereignty and man’s sin as Spurgeon and Whitefield did. Model humility not fear. Readers love your neighbor because God commands it. The gospel that saved sinners in Edwards’ and Lloyd Jones’ day that fueled Spurgeon and Whitefield is still “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). Bow to the potter repent of pride and love your neighbor. The world is watching show them Christ.
Fear Thy Neighbor Jeffrey Spaide Pride Leads to Ruin
Preaching The Gospel / By Tim, the Chief of the Nobodies
A Biblical Reflection on Pride and Wrath
Pride Ignites a Deadly Feud
The TV show Fear Thy Neighbor dramatizes real life neighborly disputes that spiral into violence and on February 1 2021 a heavy snow blanketed Westberg Street in Plains Township Pennsylvania showcasing how pride led Jeffrey Spaide and his neighbors to ruin. The air was crisp the kind that stings your face and the neighborhood just 20 miles from Scranton was hushed under a thick white layer. Beneath that serene surface tension crackled like ice about to break. Jeffrey Spaide a 47 year old retired Navy veteran stood on his porch watching James and Lisa Goy shovel snow across the street. They weren’t helping they were tossing snow onto Spaide’s property a prideful jab in a feud that had simmered for years. This tragedy later featured on Fear Thy Neighbor shows how pride destroys love mirroring the show’s theme of feuds turned fatal. The Jeffrey Spaide shooting wasn’t just a crime it was a warning of pride’s ruinous path against God’s call to love our neighbor.
The argument started small but grew ugly fast. “You’re scum” Spaide yelled his voice cutting through the frosty air as witnesses recalled. “You’re a coward” the Goys shot back their prideful taunts laced with venom per surveillance footage aired on Fear Thy Neighbor. Words became deadly when Spaide grabbed a handgun and returned. Gunfire shattered the stillness James and Lisa Goy lay dead in the snow and Spaide turned the gun on himself. Fear Thy Neighbor captivates with such stories but as Christians we must see pride’s role and seek the gospel’s hope. This tragedy reflects Romans 9:20–21 calling us to bow to God’s sovereignty and love our neighbor not let pride lead to ruin.
Bow to the Sovereign Potter Reject Pride (Romans 9:20–21)
We’re diving into God’s Word and it hits hard. Romans 9:20–21 (KJV) says “Nay but O man who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour and another unto dishonour?” This is God’s megaphone proclaiming His sovereignty over every soul every situation. It’s a call to reject pride and love your neighbor not to fall into the fear and conflict of Fear Thy Neighbor. I’m preaching in the fire of Martyn Lloyd Jones and Jonathan Edwards with Matthew Henry’s clarity to unpack these verses and apply them to the tragedy of Jeffrey Spaide James and Lisa Goy. Pride led them to ruin but God’s Word commands us to love not destroy. Let’s get to it.
Gods Sovereignty Humility Over Pride
Romans 9:20–21 is a wake up call. Paul shuts down pride: “Who art thou that repliest against God?” You don’t argue with the Creator. The potter analogy is clear God is the sovereign potter shaping humanity as He wills making vessels for honor or dishonor. Matthew Henry says “God is under no obligation to give account to us; His will is the rule of His actions.” Jonathan Edwards preached this with fire showing God’s glory in His sovereign choice. Martyn Lloyd Jones urged us to tremble before God’s majesty not cling to pride like rebels.
This sets the stage for the Spaide Goy tragedy a perfect fit for Fear Thy Neighbor which thrives on neighborly conflicts spiraling out of control. On that snowy day Jeffrey Spaide a 47 year old veteran of the Navy Army National Guard and Navy Reserve shot and killed James Goy 50 and Lisa Goy 48 over a snow shoveling dispute then took his own life. Neighbors called Spaide “quiet” and “particular about the care of his home” keeping it “perfect to a tee.” The Goys living across the street for 15 years were territorial yelling “You’re parked in our spot” or confronting Spaide over garbage placement. Shannon Lie recalled “They overreacted quite a bit… It was intimidating.” The Goys dumped snow onto Spaide’s property ignoring his plea to stop. Spaide insulted them the Goys taunted back with slurs like “pansy” and James threw a tool. Spaide grabbed a handgun fired and used an AR style rifle to finish the act leaving the Goys’ 15 year old autistic son orphaned now with grandparents. Romans 9:20–21 shows God’s sovereignty over this darkness. We trust His righteousness and reject pride to love our neighbor.
Pride Fails to Love Your Neighbor
Why does Fear Thy Neighbor resonate? It exposes pride’s failure to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31). The show shows how disputes over snow parking or property lines explode when pride rules. The Goys’ pride showed when they dumped snow and taunted Spaide with slurs. Spaide’s pride drove him to murder. Their feud simmered fueled by bitterness. Neighbors noted the Goys’ territorial acts like spray painting a parking line or leaving a “childish” note on a fence over rocks saying “In case you forget.” Spaide felt targeted especially after a “no parking” sign appeared in front of his house which he blamed on the Goys. Proverbs 16:18 warns “Pride goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride chose hate over love fear over forgiveness and death followed. Romans 3:23 says “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” This tragedy like Fear Thy Neighbor stories mirrors our hearts prone to pride not love.
Edwards would’ve preached this in Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God warning sinners hang over hell’s flames. Lloyd Jones would’ve pleaded for repentance. The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor but Fear Thy Neighbor shows pride leads to fear fearing differences slights disrespect. Spaide feared the Goys’ mockery the Goys feared Spaide’s defiance. Pride led to hate and hate to murder. Leviticus 19:18 commands “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” This is God’s law from His sovereign will as the potter.
The Churchs Failure to Curb Pride
The church fails to counter the pride in Fear Thy Neighbor. Many churches avoid Romans 9’s hard truths softening God’s sovereignty to avoid offense. They’re scared to call out pride or urge love for neighbors. Martyn Lloyd Jones said the church needs biblical preaching but we’ve traded it for feel good messages. Edwards would decry our silence on pride’s consequences like the Spaide Goy tragedy. The church fails when it doesn’t model humility when it’s too busy with programs to show forgiveness.
A brother shared his church’s failure: elders too afraid to enforce God’s standards because one dominates with a “his way or the highway” attitude leaving the congregation dry like Ezechiel’s “dry bones” (Ezechiel 37:1–2). They’re too lazy to preach the gospel and out of 100 members maybe five attend prayer meetings. This is the church failing to love neighbors failing to share the gospel that could’ve humbled Spaide or the Goys. Instead of mirroring Fear Thy Neighbor conflicts we’re called to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13–16) showing Christ’s humility.
The Boldness of Humble Preachers
Contrast this with young preachers who loved God and neighbor enough to reject pride. Charles Spurgeon preaching at 16 and pastoring by 19 shook England with the gospel calling sinners to repent and love through Christ. George Whitefield preaching to thousands at 22 sparked the Great Awakening with piercing sermons. They bowed to the potter’s hand trusting Romans 9 and preaching it boldly. Spurgeon faced critics Whitefield faced mobs. They loved neighbors by proclaiming Christ’s redemption not fearing rejection.
If Spaide or the Goys had heard such preaching that God is sovereign pride is sin love is commanded they might’ve chosen reconciliation not the violence of Fear Thy Neighbor. Spurgeon and Whitefield feared God and loved souls. The Spaide Goy tragedy shows pride’s ruin. These preachers show submitting to God brings revival and love.
The Gospel Humility Through Christ
Romans 9:20–21 humbles us before God’s sovereignty but points to hope. The potter shapes us and His mercy saves us from pride’s ruin. Fear Thy Neighbor shows depravity but the gospel shouts louder. Romans 5:8 declares “God commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” Spaide and the Goys were sinners like us. Their pride led to death but Christ’s death offers life. Edwards pleaded with sinners to flee God’s wrath Lloyd Jones called for faith in Christ. To love your neighbor you need Christ’s humility in you His Spirit transforming your heart.
The world watches Fear Thy Neighbor and demands better laws or nicer neighbors. The Bible says the problem is pride. Jeremiah 17:9 warns “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” Spaide’s rage and the Goys’ taunts came from proud hearts unsubmitted to God. The church must proclaim this. Spurgeon and Whitefield preached repentance boldly. We need that today urging humility and love not prideful fear.
A Call to Humility and Repentance
Romans 9:20–21 demands we bow to God’s sovereignty. You don’t argue with the potter. The Spaide Goy tragedy on Fear Thy Neighbor warns pride leads to ruin. Spaide could’ve walked away the Goys could’ve apologized. Pride won leaving death and an orphaned child. You’re no different. Are you loving your neighbor forgiving slights praying for their souls sharing the gospel? Or are you prideful fearing differences harboring bitterness? Repent. Turn to Christ who loved us when unlovable. Edwards would beg you to flee to Jesus Lloyd Jones would point to His grace.
Church reject the pride of Fear Thy Neighbor. Preach God’s sovereignty and man’s sin as Spurgeon and Whitefield did. Model humility not fear. Readers love your neighbor because God commands it. The gospel that saved sinners in Edwards’ and Lloyd Jones’ day that fueled Spurgeon and Whitefield is still “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). Bow to the potter repent of pride and love your neighbor. The world is watching show them Christ.
Related Resources
Explore more at Sola Scriptura Defended and Apologetics Tools.
Listen to our podcast Rome’s Gospel Is Another Gospel for further refutations.