The Snare of Success
Rev. Tony Cooke
Abraham Lincoln once remarked, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” He had probably seen people who were motivated positively by challenges and setbacks, and others who were corrupted by success. Don’t get me wrong. It is normal to desire productivity, prosperity, and achievement, but don’t forget their inherent pitfalls.
God described the blessings that Israel would inherit as they entered the land, and then said, “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the LORD your God and disobey his commands…” (Deuteronomy 8:11 NLT). He further described the multiplication of earthly goods they would experience, and again said, “…be careful! Do not become proud at that time and forget the LORD your God”(Deuteronomy 8:13-14 NLT). And again, “He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy’” (Deuteronomy 8:17 NLT).
There are two kings in the Old Testament (among many others) who finished badly in spite of having good beginnings. They paid dearly because they did not listen to God’s earlier warnings. In speaking of other stories from the Old Testament, Paul wrote, “These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age” (1 Corinthians 10:11 NLT). We can learn lessons the easy way (by learning from the mistakes of others) or the hard way (by making the mistakes ourselves).
Saul’s Demise
We receive insight into Saul’s demise through a rebuke that came to him from the prophet Samuel.
1 Samuel 15:17 (NIV)
17 Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel.
As Saul learned of God’s call on his life, he said to Samuel, “I’m only from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important of all the families of that tribe! Why are you talking like this to me?” (1 Samuel 9:21 NLT). Later, when Samuel wanted to introduce the new king to the people of Israel, Saul wouldn’t even present himself. Instead, he hid himself among the equipment (1 Samuel 10:22).
Regardless of Saul’s early humility, it dissipated after he received a lofty position and power. He became self-willed and arbitrary in his leadership, and he operated presumptuously and disobediently. Eventually, Samuel had to tell Saul that his kingdom would not continue, and that God had to replace him with a man after his own heart (see 1 Samuel 13:13-14).
Lesson: No matter what your position, title, or accomplishments, stay small in your own eyes. Never lose your sense of total reliance and dependence on God. Allow your humble heart to lead you in paths of obedience.
Uzziah’s Implosion
Of King Uzziah we read, “Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the LORD, God gave him success.” (2 Chronicles 26:5 NLT).
The following verses describe several great accomplishments which came under Uzziah’s reign, but then we see the same mistake occurring.
“His fame spread far and wide, for the LORD gave him marvelous help, and he became very powerful. But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall” (2 Chronicles 26:15-26 NLT).
Uzziah’s arrogance led him to presumptuously enter the temple, intruding into a priestly role for which he was unqualified. He became leprous and lived in isolation for the rest of his life.
Lesson: When you experience success, don’t take the credit or the glory. Stay humble before God and realize that he is the source of every blessing. Don’t think more highly of yourself than you should.
Quotes About Staying Humble / Avoiding Pride
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
– Lord Acton
“When we make ourselves more than nothing, we make God less than everything.”
– Robert Foster
“I believe that God wants to put His hand upon us so that we may reach ideal definitions of humility, of human helplessness, of human insufficiency, until we will rest no more upon human plans, but have God’s thoughts, God’s voice, and the Holy Spirit to speak to us.”
– Smith Wigglesworth
“The word ambition comes from a Latin word meaning ‘campaigning for promotion.’ The phrase suggests a variety of elements: social visibility and approval, popularity, peer recognition, the exercise of authority over others. Ambitious people, in this sense, enjoy the power that comes with money and authority. Jesus had no time for such ego-driven ambitions. The true spiritual leader will never ‘campaign for promotion.’”
– Oswald Sanders
“The counterfeit trinity is me, myself, and I.”
– Edwin Louis Cole
Key Scriptures
“Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.”
– Proverbs 16:18 (NLT)
“Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.”
– Proverbs 29:23 (NLT)
“So Jesus got them together to settle things down. He said, ‘You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served — and then to give away his life…’”
– Matthew 20:25-28 (MSG)
“…we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.”
– 2 Corinthians 1:9 (NKJV)
“And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”
– 1 Peter 5:5 (NLT)
In Qualified: Serving God with Integrity and Finishing Your Course with Honor, there are four chapters on pride/humility related issues.
Order your copy today.
