SPIRITUAL PRIDE

 

As we meditate Luke 14 today, Jesus reminds us of verse 11 about staying humble and not exalting ourselves.

¹¹ For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 

Here’s the problem:  

The human heart naturally drifts towards pride after a measure of success. Yes, even success in ministry. 

Jesus is well aware of this, that’s why He exhorts us to stay humble. When He told us to Go and sit down in the lowest place: When we are at the lower place, we aren’t there just to be noticed so we can go up higher. Nor are we miserable there, and letting everyone know by our facial expressions that we really don’t belong there. There is something wonderful in being content in whatever place God allows you to have.

 

Jesus wasn’t merely teaching good manners, but a lifestyle that in lowliness of mind esteems others better than himself. (Philippians 2:3)

 

Pride takes many forms, but spiritual pride is the most grievous. To become proud of spiritual gifts or a leadership position is to forget that all we have is from God, all the position we have is God’s appointment.

 

Spiritual pride is a disease that affects both Christians and non-Christians. Every minister of God no matter his title, is vulnerable, we are all affected by this.

 

Given all our achievements in the ministry, in our studies and our positions –it may feed our pride.

 

How do we know our heart is drifting towards spiritual pride?

 

-       When we don’t want to accept tasks that are lower than what we expect we must have.

-       When we start counting the things that we have done for others, in the church and even at work.

-       When we feel like we know everything and there’s nothing we need to know more.

-       When we take pride on all the things that the Lord has given us – spiritual gifts, miracles and ministries.

It is not only us. The disciples also struggled with this “most grievous” form of pride, rejoicing that “even the demons had submitted to them” (Luke 10:17). 

On a human level, their reaction makes perfect sense. In Luke 10:1, Jesus sent out the seventy-two disciples on a mission where they had some astonishing experiences. Now that they’ve returned, how could they possibly contain their excitement?

 

Jesus cautions them. “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). 

He’s not trying to extinguish the disciples’ enthusiasm. He’s shifting their perspective. Jesus wants them to keep their pride in check thereby allowing their hearts to recalibrate around the most important reason for their celebration – namely, their salvation. 

 

Jesus knew we will struggle with this, I DO. I have wrestled with spiritual pride in my few years in this ministry. I have to remind myself everyday that Jesus planted all the churches not me. When I lay hands to people, I have to remind myself it is the power of the Holy Spirit not mine. When I have to do the sermon, I need to pray hard for the Lord to speak in the pulpit.

No matter the spiritual power any minister or Christian has, we are just a tool in the hand of God. Every spiritual gift must therefore be used responsibly in humility. No matter how anointed we are, we are still human being! 

Bottom line:  We all have spiritual blind spots. We should never ever be dazzled by our own abilities, but rather by the identity we have as blood-bought, born-again children of God.  After all, it’s only by His grace that He saves us and accomplishes anything through us in the first place.   

Let us pray:

Lord, Jesus, thank you for thinking of us, for knowing that we may be drifting away from you and towards spiritual pride. Please always remind us of your grace that sustains us achieve the things that you have planned for us. It is your glory not ours. Amen.