Pride in Ministry: A Threat to Spiritual Leadership
Pride is a significant threat to spiritual leadership, as it can lead to an inflated sense of self-importance and a diminished reliance on God. The biblical text warns against pride in various forms, including self-righteousness, unsanctified knowledge, and the possession of power or wealth [1]. In 1 Samuel 15:23, the sin of pride is likened to the sin of divination, highlighting its severity and the danger it poses to one's relationship with God.
In the context of ministry, pride can manifest as an excessive attachment to a particular leader or teacher, leading to factionalism and division within the church. The apostle Paul cautions against this in 1 Corinthians 3:21, urging believers not to "glory in men" or elevate their ministers to an inappropriate level of esteem [5]. This warning is echoed in 1 Corinthians 4:7, where Paul notes that everything a believer has is a gift from God, leaving no room for pride [2].
The dangers of pride in ministry are further underscored by the consequences of allowing it to go unchecked. According to Proverbs 16:18, pride will inevitably lead to a fall, whether through repentance or ruin [3]. In 1 Timothy 3:6, the apostle Paul warns against appointing a new convert to a position of leadership, lest they become "lifted up with pride" and fall into the same condemnation as the devil [4].
The biblical text also highlights the subtlety of pride, noting that even spiritual experiences and revelations can be a source of pride if not tempered with humility. In 2 Corinthians 12:5, Paul acknowledges the abundance of revelations he has received, but also recognizes the danger of being "exalted above measure" as a result [6].
To mitigate the threat of pride in ministry, believers must cultivate humility and recognize that all they have is a gift from God. As Matthew Henry notes, pride "exposes men to sin" and can lead to a range of negative consequences, including wrath and scornfulness [7]. By acknowledging the dangers of pride and striving for humility, spiritual leaders can avoid the pitfalls that can undermine their effectiveness and relationship with God.
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”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 4:7: 4:7 Pride in a particular leader results from failure to realize that everything is a gift from God. There is no room for pride; humble gratitude is the only appropriate attitude.”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 16:18: Note, 1. Pride will have a fall. Those that are of a haughty spirit, that think of themselves above what is meet, and look with contempt upon others, that with their pride affront God and disquiet others, will be brought down, either by repentance or by ruin. It is the honour of God to humble the proud, Job 40:11, Job 40:12. It is the act of justice that those who have lifted up themselves should be laid low. Pharaoh, Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar, were instances of this. Men cannot punish pride, but either admire it or fear it, and therefore God will take the pu”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 3:6: Not a novice,.... Or one newly planted, the Arabic version adds, "in the faith"; meaning not a young man, for so was Timothy himself; but a young professor and church member; one that is lately come to the knowledge of the truth, and has just embraced and professed it, and become a member of a church, a new plant there: so the Hebrew word "a plant", is by the Septuagint in Job 14:9 rendered by this very word. The reason why such a person should not be a bishop, elder, or pastor of a church, is, lest being lifted up with pride; through the dignity of the office he ”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 3:21: Here the apostle founds an exhortation against over-valuing their teachers on what he had just said, and on the consideration that they had an equal interest in all their ministers: Therefore let no man glory in men (Co1 3:21) - forget that their ministers are men, or pay that deference to them that is due only to God, set them at the head of parties, have them in immoderate esteem and admiration, and servilely and implicitly follow their directions and submit to their dictates, and especially in contradiction to God and the truths taught by his Holy Spirit”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 12:5: And lest I should be exalted above measure,.... Over much elated in his mind, and swelled with a vain conceit of himself: through the abundance of the revelations; for he had not only one or two, or a few, but an abundance of them; and which, as everything does but grace, tended to lift up his mind, to stir up the pride of his heart, and to entertain too high and exalted thoughts of himself. Pride is naturally in every man's heart; converted persons are not without it; knowledge, gifts, and revelations are apt to puff up with spiritual pride, unless counterba”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 21:24: See here the mischief of pride and haughtiness. 1. It exposes men to sin; it makes them passionate, and kindles in them the fire of proud wrath. They are continually dealing in it, as if it were their trade to be angry, and they had nothing so much to do as to barter passions and exchange bitter words. Most of the wrath that inflames the spirits and societies of men is proud wrath. Men cannot bear the least slight, nor in any thing to be crossed or contradicted, but they are out of humour, nay, in a heat, immediately. It likewise makes them scornful when they a”