Published by “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall”. This saying comes out of the book of Proverbs chapter 16 verse 18 of the Old Testament. The difficult thing about this truth is that when it is made evident, it is done in the ugliest of circumstances. We can go through a myriad of examples of high profile pastors or politicians who give us real life examples of this. “Pride goes before…a fall”. However, sometimes this kind of pride goes under the radar when looking at ourselves and how it operates in our local places of worship. Now, don’t get me wrong, every human being has a sense of pride. It is natural. It is part of the self preservation mechanism that is wired through our DNA. It helps give us a sense of worth and the confidence we need to carry out our daily activities. However, the type of pride that can cost you friendships, relationships, and opportunities is the one where you perceive yourself as a person who is either never wrong, or can never suffer the embarrassment of being wrong in the eyes of those you minister with at church. We must value what is true more than being right. This is what this article is all about.
We spend more energy fighting and debating on how we are so right than actually looking into the reasons that we think make us right. Even when we are right, the damage done to relationships in going to extraordinary lengths proving we are right in a particular theological position, or a certain approach to a situation, can obliterate the very fabric that makes up meaningful relationships that Jesus used to minister to those around Him. Jesus was more concerned about relationships than whether he was right in the eyes of the Pharisees. Jesus could have done circles around the religious leaders of his day in interpreting the Law of Moses, yet He knew that the Father was more concerned with matters of the heart, which is what much of what He said dealt with.
Don’t we miss out on the purpose and function of doctrine when all it becomes is material to debate with? Whether or not views on our doctrine are more biblical than another, the purpose of doctrine is to get closer to God’s intended meaning on a subject, thus getting closer to Him. Sometimes, we rather be that “prophecy guru” or maintain the image of the “ministry master” more than being open to a better way of singing that song, conducting a service, or organizing that event. Isn’t interesting that when the people we like say it, then we take it as gospel? Someone who affirms what we already believe, we happily take in whatever is said. If we don’t like a particular denomination that someone represents, then we automatically shut out what they have to say and make assumptions based on very few experiences and stereo types. This cannot be anymore. If we truly want the best for our church, we must put pride aside and say “even if this does not go in line with making me look good in front of the other members; even if the evidence does not affirm what I believe to be true, this is what the facts say about how to best handle the situation and I must take that action”. Call me a typical idealist, but I believe that when we put our own personal agendas away for the sake of what is right, we can do much to greatly advance the quality of the ministry we are in. If we have hard feelings against a person at church, then we miss out on the collaborative power that comes with uniting as one, which is the way God has intended it.
Let’s be honest. We all know it takes more energy dealing with the subtle church competition and petty rivalry with other members than the energy it would take to just respectfully love one another and be honest and upfront with our differences. Maybe this would prevent probably over half of the drama we find ourselves in.
Have you been annoyed enough yet? Do you need to be tired of small, insignificant political power moves members play a few more years at the place where you are suppose to be serving and getting close to God before taking this truth in? We must ask Jesus to take us to the point where we value people beyond whether or not they are in your “church clique” or alliances we sadly form at church. We must value our brothers and sisters in Christ not just in the times they are in line with our views, but also when there is a disagreement. Granted, people live off of drama, but you would be surprised how fast people melt when they realize you love them just because God loves them, and not because you look at them as a means to an end of a church political agenda. If you want to deal with the consequences of prideful actions, watch out, because when you least expect it, it can cost you more than you would have thought. Strive to be true before God, more than being right before man.
