Conquering Pride in Christian Relationships and Ministry
Pride is identified in scripture as a sin that is hateful to God [1]. It is often rooted in self-righteousness, religious privileges, unsanctified knowledge, inexperience, or the possession of power or wealth [1]. Overcoming pride in Christian relationships and ministry involves a commitment to humility, love, and mutual edification.
The Bible forbids pride, stating that it defiles a person and hardens the mind [1]. Instead, believers are called to a Christian conduct characterized by fearing, loving, and obeying God, and following the example of Christ [3]. This includes living righteously, soberly, and godly [3].
In ministry and relationships, the goal is edification, which means building up others [4]. This is the object of the ministerial office and gifts, and it is fostered by the church's union in Christ [4]. Love is a key component, as it leads to edification [4]. As Matthew Henry notes on Ephesians 4:2, Christians are exhorted to unity and love, purity and holiness, and to be faithful friends to all Christians [5]. The law of Christ's kingdom is love, and nothing is pressed more earnestly in scripture than this [5].
The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians, expresses a "godly jealousy" for believers, desiring to present them as a pure virgin to Christ [8]. This highlights the importance of guiding others toward Christ and away from influences that might lead them astray [8]. The ultimate goal of ministry is for the entire Christian community to deepen their understanding and experience of the Christian faith, gaining a profound knowledge of God's Son [7]. This process aims for believers to mature in the Lord, with Christ himself serving as the standard of maturity [7]. The Spirit's work transforms individuals to become more like Christ [7].
To conquer pride, believers are encouraged to draw near to God with boldness, seeking mercy and grace in times of need [2]. This reliance on God's grace, rather than self-sufficiency, is crucial. Furthermore, exalting Christ in his person and offices—as Prophet, Priest, and King—is presented as a path to personal promotion and blessing [6]. When believers give honor to Christ, they express gladness and rejoice in his kingly power and authority [9].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Pride — Is sin -- Pr 21:4. Hateful to God -- Pr 6:16,17; 16:5. Hateful to Christ -- Pr 8:12,13. Often originates in Self-righteousness. -- Lu 18:11,12. Religious privileges. -- Zep 3:11. Unsanctified knowledge. -- 1Co 8:1. Inexperience. -- 1Ti 3:6. Possession of power. -- Le 26:19; Eze 30:6. Possession of wealth. -- 2Ki 20:13. Forbidden -- 1Sa 2:3; Ro 12:3,16. Defiles a man -- Mr 7:20,22. Hardens the mind -- Da 5:20. Saints give not away. -- Ps 131:1. Respect not, in others. -- Ps 40:4. Mourn over, in others. -- Jer 13:17. Hate, in others. -- Ps 101:5. A hindrance to”
- Hebrews “Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need. -- Hebrews 4:16”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Edification — Described -- Eph 4:12-16. Is the object of The ministerial office. -- Eph 4:11,12. Ministerial gifts. -- 1Co 14:3-5,12. Ministerial authority. -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. The Church's union in Christ. -- Eph 4:16. The gospel, the instrument of -- Ac 20:32. Love leads to -- 1Co 8:1. Exhortation to -- Jude 1:20,21. Mutual, commanded -- Ro 14:19; 1Th 5:11. All to be done to -- 2Co 12:19; Eph 4:29. Use self-denial to promote, in others -- 1Co 10:23,33. The peace of the Church favours -- Ac 9:31. Foolish questions opposed to -- 1Ti 1:4.”
- Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 4:2: Here the apostle proceeds to more particular exhortations. Two he enlarges upon in this chapter: - To unity an love, purity and holiness, which Christians should very much study. We do not walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called if we be not faithful friends to all Christians, and sworn enemies to all sin. This section contains the exhortation to mutual love, unity, and concord, with the proper means and motives to promote them. Nothing is pressed upon us more earnestly in the scriptures than this. Love is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of h”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 4:8: Exalt her, and she shall promote thee,.... Christ is to be exalted in his person, by asserting his proper deity; by ascribing all divine perfections to him; by allowing him to be the author of all divine works; by giving him divine worship and homage; by owning his divine and eternal sonship, and distinct personality: he is to be exalted in all his offices of Prophet, Priest, and King, and as the only Redeemer and Saviour; by trusting in him, embracing his Gospel, and submitting to his ordinances, and such that exalt him, he will "promote" them here and hereafter; of”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 11:2: For I am jealous--The justification of his self-commendations lies in his zealous care lest they should fall from Christ, to whom he, as "the friend of the Bridegroom" (Joh 3:29), has espoused them; in order to lead them back from the false apostles to Christ, he is obliged to boast as an apostle of Christ, in a way which, but for the motive, would be "folly." godly jealousy--literally, "jealousy of God" (compare Co2 1:12, "godly sincerity," literally, "sincerity of God"). "If I am immoderate, I am immoderate to God" [BENGEL]. A jealousy which”
- Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 19:7: Let us be glad, and rejoice, and give honour to him,.... The saints particularly; the converted Jews will call upon one another to express their gladness at the glorious display of Christ's kingly power and authority, and at the destruction of his enemies, and the happy and comfortable state of his church and people; and to rejoice in him as the Lord their righteousness and strength, and to give him the honour and glory of salvation, and to return him thanks for all the benefits they shall have received from him, particularly on account of what follows: for the ”