Pride is a ruthless killer of growth

In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he offers a fascinating warning to consider when appointing leaders in the church. He says to Timothy, “Let him not be a new convert, lest he become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil…”

Pride is a strategic and ruthless killer of growth. It will wait patiently, often lurking behind our strengths and talents, growing unnoticed in the middle of success, blessing, influence, and even spiritual growth. Until finally, we are so blinded by our own “glory” we cannot see the wretched thing that has taken root in our hearts.

One of the clearest examples that we see in Scripture is King Uzziah. Second Chronicles 26 tells us that Uzziah sought the Lord, prospered, and became powerful. God blessed him, strengthened him, and gave him remarkable success. Yet the story takes a tragic turn as Scripture says, “But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction” (2 Chronicles 26:16).

The very success that God had given him became the breeding ground for pride.

You see, pride is actually a spiritual disease that, if left untreated, will separate us from everyone we love—including God. It creates distance in relationships, makes us resistant to correction, and blinds us to our own weaknesses. Pride drives the “wedge of self” between us and all those we hold dear. And the fruit of it is something far more severe than even separation. James 4:6 gives the sobering warning that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Think about that for a moment. Pride does not merely hinder our growth and divide our relationships; it invites the very opposition of God Himself.

Pride convinces us that we who were created for God and to reflect His Glory can exist in a context we were never created for and carry a glory that was never ours to have. It whispers that we are self-sufficient, deserving of recognition and praise, that we know better, and that we no longer need God’s help.

The Apostle Paul warned believers, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). Where pride exists, no growth in the Lord can continue. For all growth in Jesus must spring forth from love. And in pride, there is no love but for self. Pride is a hastily built tower, awaiting collapse. It is mock success that faces inevitable failure. It is a cheap way up that will only land us back at the bottom.

In contrast, Jesus shows us the path of true greatness. For in God’s kingdom, the way up is always down.

C.S. Lewis famously wrote, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” Humility is not self-hatred or insecurity. It is simply returning to reflect the Glory we were always created to, removing ourselves from the center and placing God where He belongs.

Andrew Murray described humility as “the displacement of self by the enthronement of God.”

John the Baptist captured the heart of humility in one simple statement: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

Jesus lived this perfectly. Philippians 2 tells us that though He was God, He emptied Himself, took the form of a servant, and humbled Himself even to death on a cross. The King of kings chose the lowest place.

Likewise, Jesus taught His disciples, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).

If pride kills, humility is the pathway to life. It keeps our hearts soft, our eyes on Jesus, and our hands open to His grace. Humility repositions us in the place we were created to exist—dwelling in, reflecting, and revealing the Glory of God.

Wil Bush is the founder and director of R.I.O.T. and serves as the youth pastor at Harvest Valley Worship Center. Find out more at hvwc.com.