But thou wilt say: Sure there be few or none such that are so blind as to hold and choose vain joy in themselves for joy in God. As to this I cannot answer, nor will, though I could; only I will tell thee this one thing, that there be many hypocrites, and, nevertheless, they think themselves to be none, and that there be many that dread and fear themselves to be hypocrites, and soothly are none; who is the one, and who is the other, God knows, and none but He. Whoso will humbly dread, shall not be beguiled; and whoso thinketh himself secure, he may lightly fall. For St Paul saith: Whose esteemeth himself to be something, whereas indeed he is nothing, he beguileth himself. (John Climacus)

In our age it is easier to find those who will admit to choosing joy in themselves for joy in God.

But the problem persists. With Paul I can say, "For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members." (Romans 7:22-23)

I am a hypocrite. Though I argue for and actively seek the joy of God, I too often thoughtlessly choose joy in myself... and find myself joyless.