Daily Archive

On Thursdays, we are emphasizing core values and defining characteristics desired among the core group of any church plant.  The first characteristic of humility is being discussed from C.J. Mahaney’s book, Humility: True Greatness.

In chapter one, Mahaney defined the nature of true humility and pointed readers to the promise that God draws near to those of a humble disposition.  In chapter two, Mahaney looks at the flip side of humility: pride.  Specifically, he addresses the perils that accompany a prideful spirit.

Mahaney quotes John Stott who wrote,

“At every stage of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend” (29).

This is a great truth to remember.  Pride will be our enemy from conversion to our last breath, and our life’s journey in grace should cause us to pursue humility with greater strides of obedience and greater longing’s for the heart of our Savior who condescended on our behalf.

Here is how Mahaney defines pride:

“Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon HIm.”

Quoting Charles Bridges, pride is “contending for supremacy with God and lifting our hearts against Him.”  Is is preferring our own agenda, not the kingdom of God, our rule and not the will of King Jesus, our self-glorification, and not the glory that alone is due to our great God.  Such an attitude God is steadily, actively, and continuously opposed in greatest degree.  He is infinitely pure and holy, and we are eaten up with pride.  Jonathan Edwards says that pride is “the worst viper that is in the heart” and “the greatest disturber of the soul’s peace and sweet communion with Christ” (34).  He adds that pride is the “most difficult sin to root out, and the most hidden, secret, and deceitful of all lusts” (ibid.).

Now pause with me for a moment to think about how pride can have devastating effects on church planting efforts.  Independence from God, prayerlessness, self-assertive agendas, unwillingness to address idols of the heart, and so on.  If pride gets a foothold in a church planting endeavor, it has the potential to divide asunder the unity of purpose and kill the mission promoted in the humble service to Christ in the building of His church.

Mahaney concludes by saying that the warnings we find in Scripture, such as “pride comes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18) are expressions of God’s mercy and intended for our good.  God intends to unmask our pride, and in the mirror of Scripture, expose our sinful hearts.  Submitting ourselves to the Lordship of Christ, authority of His Word, and fellowship of His church, we should welcome the words, “This is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Tim. 1:15).