pride and punishment

Christian Leader Resigns Amid Adultery Scandal. Pastor Sacked for Misappropriating Church Funds. Such headlines sadden me, but they dont surprise me anymore. Last July, however, a news article about the resignation of the president of a church-planting network did surprise me. He resigned, not because of sexual misconduct or financial impropriety, but because of various expressions of pride, unentreatability, deceit, sinful judgment, and hypocrisy.

We readily condemn certain sins, while pride is sometimes seen as an acceptable and excusable character flaw. Even when deemed a sin, pride is often not considered serious and severe enough to warrant a disqualification from spiritual office.

Uzziah was a good king who feared God and did what pleased Him (2 Chronicles 26:4-5). He became successful and powerful because God blessed him (2 Chronicles 26:5,7,15). But with power and prosperity, Uzziah became proud (2 Chronicles 26:16). He entered the sanctuary of the Lords Temple and personally burned incense on the altar. He had appointed himself as the high priest, a position reserved by God solely for Aaron and his descendants (Numbers 16:40).

When confronted, Uzziah became angry and impenitent (2 Chronicles 26:18-19). He thought he was accountable to no onenot even to God! For the sin of pride and its accompanying misdemeanors, Uzziah was severely punished with leprosyenduring a miserable life until the day he died (2 Chronicles 26:19-21).

Some 200 years earlier, Solomon warned of the severity of human pride: Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin (Proverbs 21:4).

Make no mistake: The Lord detests the proud; they will surely be punished (Proverbs 16:5). Thats Gods promise.