Staying the Course: Humility and Christian Leadership (1)
Rarely is humility exalted as a fundamental element of true leadership. Yet, despite what some popular leadership proponents may allege, an honest and discriminating look into contemporary business culture confirms what the Scripture proclaims: God is opposed to the proud, but he gives grace to the humble. Christian leaders, then, must make every effort to cultivate sincere humility for their task of leadership within the church an in other organizations they might oversee. Aiding in this endeavor will be the goal the next few posts.
After a brief examination of Scripture’s teaching on the issue of pride and humility, I will consider a recent study from a business context that confirms the necessity of humility in leadership. After this, I will provide a clear definition of humility and conclude by providing several strategies to aid Christian leaders in the development of personal humility.
The Perils of Pride and the Fruit of Humility: The Biblical Teaching
God is opposed to the proud. This is the indisputable truth of Scripture. Asserted directly through stern warning and illustrated vividly in God’s judgment of proud men and nations throughout the Old and New Testament, the biblical reality that pride only leads to destruction is inescapable. Scripture tells us God devastates the proud and the haughty (II Samuel 22:28; II Chronicles 26:16; 32:25; Psalm 18:27; 101:5; Proverbs 15:25; Isaiah 2:11-17; 3:16; 5:15; 9:9; 13:11; 16:6; 25:11; 28:3; Jeremiah 48:29; Ezekiel 7:20;16:50; 28:2; 30:6, 18; 31:10; 33:28; Daniel 4:37; Zechariah 10:11; Luke 1:51; Acts 12:23). He does not help the proud (Psalm 40:4; 94:2). God says he will break people’s pride (Leviticus 26:19; II Chronicles 32:26; Psalm 59:12) and repay pride with punishment (Psalm 31:23). The Bible tells us God hates pride (Proverbs 6:12; 21:4; Proverbs 8:13; Amos 6:8) and that pride comes before destruction (Proverbs 11:2; 16:18; 29:23; 18:12). And pride is not only odious to God; it is deadly to man: it misleads and blinds the mind; it guards a man from receiving valuable instruction; it makes faith in Christ impossible (see John 5:44); and it hinders genuine growth in other important areas, as one theologian writes, “Till this disease [of pride] is cured, medicines are in vain applied to heal other diseases” (Undiscerned Spiritual Pride, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume 1, 399).
On the other hand, the same Scripture that speaks vigorously against the ugliness and danger of pride equally exalts the beauty and benefit of humility. God is not only opposed to the proud; he gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Humility leads to salvation (Job 22:29; Psalm 18:27; 76:9; 149:4), favor (Job 5:11 Psalm 37:11; 138:5; Proverbs 3:36; 22:4; 29:23; Isaiah 11:4; 29:19; 57:19; 66:2; Matthew 5:5), and guidance from God (Psalm 25:9). Sincere humility also cultivates a heart ready to receive wisdom (Proverbs 11:2) and grace (I Peter 5:5). It is no wonder why humility usually precedes honor (Proverbs 15:33, 18:12) and why it is commanded so often in the New Testament (Ephesians 4:2; Philippians 2:3; Colossians 3:12; I Peter 5:5).
Next: The Perils of Pride and the Fruit of Humility: A Contemporary Example
