I am reading a book written by two pastors about their work ostensibly to encourage others to aspire to greatness. These men go into detail about the myriad ways they are changing their cities, about the hundreds of people who work in the enterprises run by their churches, and all the dollars they are bringing to their local economies. They are not liars! The churches they lead are amazing engines for good, but I wonder about all this trumpeting of their accomplishments. Pride is a terribly deceptive sin, creeping into our lives behind great efforts to do good things.
Sexual sins always get the headlines, but far more ministries have gone down in ruins because of pride than because of sexual misconduct! The second that a ministry becomes a way to feel valuable, to make a name for one’s self, or to create a place in this world – corruption enters. The focus shifts from the Lord and His glory to Self. In that situation, we may continue to mouth the words “all for God’s glory,” but the truth is that our reputation matters most to us. What to know when pride has found a foothold in ministry? Some signs include: craving praise, fishing for affirming words, and feelings of competition instead of cooperation.
John, the bishop of Ephesus, wrote these tragic words. "I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God." (3 John 9-11, NKJV) Disciple, do you love ‘to have the preeminence?’ Another translation says, “He loves to be first!”
Jesus urges us to do our work without need of fanfare, to humbly serve those that God brings our way, doing our best for Him, with no need or desire for applause or recognition. The discipline of service helps to create humility. Choosing to do what needs to be done without waiting to be told to do it breaks our pride!
Think again today of these familiar words from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Ask the Spirit to show you anywhere that pride has replaced Christ as the motivation for ministry.
“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding. “When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. … When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out." (Matthew 6:1-4, The Message)
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"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves." (Psalm 127:1-2, NIV)
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