Species of Pride: The Hidden Pride Growing in Your Soul
Four disguises hidden pride loves to wear.
We loaded our four kiddos, then ages 3, 5, 10, and 12, into the minivan. It was a Saturday night, and we all were excited to go on our special monthly outing - to church! The kids sang along to “Go Fish” as we made the 40-mile journey to Bethlehem Baptist in Minneapolis. On Saturday nights, at Bethlehem’s downtown campus, we would be able to see John Piper preach live and in person! The music stirred my heart. The preaching penetrated my soul.
The distance to Piper’s church was too far for us to stay locked in on a weekly basis, so we chose the compromise of worshipping and serving at a local church, while visiting Piper’s church monthly. And we pumped it up for the kids, including a Culver’s stop, so we all enjoyed our Saturday nights at Bethlehem. No need for nursery!!
But on March 27, 2010, nobody told me to bring a box of Kleenex. I watched as Pastor John humbly approached the pulpit, stating:
“I see several species of pride in my soul that, while they may not rise to the level of disqualifying me for ministry, grieve me, and have taken a toll on my relationship with Noël and others who are dear to me. How do I apologize to you, not for a specific deed, but for ongoing character flaws, and their effects on everybody? I’ll say it now, and no doubt will say it again, I’m sorry. Since I don’t have just one deed to point to, I simply ask for a spirit of forgiveness; and I give you as much assurance as I can that I am not making peace, but war, with my own sins.” (Source)
John Piper was taking an eight-month leave of absence. This time away from the pulpit was not a sabbatical to write a book, but rather time taken to consider the “species of pride” in his soul. The impact of hearing those confessionally humble words from a man I held on a pedestal has grounded me for the past 16 years.
We all would do well to consider the species of pride growing in our own souls. What might pride look like? Consider these conscious or subconscious thoughts.
“I need to be the best, have the best, or look the best.”
While there is nothing wrong with doing your best to get an ‘A’ on a test, training hard to win a race, dressing nicely, or exercising to stay in shape to keep up your temple, there is a line that, when crossed, quickly reveals a species of pride. If the goal of being at the top of the class is to make you shine, it’s pride. If the goal in winning the race is to draw attention to yourself, it’s pride. If the goal in working out is to look good at the beach so all eyes are on you, it’s pride. If the end goal is to make Jesus shine and glorify God, then we’re headed in the right direction.
“My faith makes me feel good about myself.”
While there is nothing wrong with going to church, reading the Bible, tithing, and serving others, if it is making you feel ‘puffed up’, it may be worth pulling out the microscope to check for an undetected species of pride. Is the goal in attending church to be seen by others, or to worship God? Is the goal in reading the Bible to check off a box so you can tell others you read your Bible, or to hear the Word of God? Is the goal in tithing to have bragging rights, even if only in your own mind, or to faithfully obey God, knowing that it is He who has given you the ability to have any money at all? Is the goal in serving to show others how servant-minded you are, or to love others as Jesus did?
“My way is the best way.”
We all have good ideas, sometimes even extraordinary ideas! But just because something is working well for me does not mean it’s going to work well for someone else. Sometimes their way is better than mine. When I find myself insisting on my perspective or pushing my views on someone else, it just may be a malignant species of pride growing in the petri dish of my soul. Being teachable and willing to explore others’ proposals reveals a more humble heart.
“I am superior.”
We will never be superior. As hard as we try, we will never be the best, the most beautiful, or perfect. There is only one perfect person who has ever walked on Earth. His name is Jesus Christ. When He came to Earth as a man, He humbled Himself, even to the point of death on a cross. He is now exalted, with a name bestowed upon Him which is above ANY name. At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord. Anytime I am exalting myself, it is a species of pride. “But pride always means enmity - it is enmity. And not only enmity between man and man, but enmity to God.” (Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis) I don’t want enmity with God. I want to always hold my Creator in the highest esteem. While on earth, I will never be perfect, but I will always be Pursuing Perfection.
I am amazed at how many times in the past 16 years I have thought of John Piper’s humble admission. To see a man in a powerful position willingly step down to examine his heart is rarely seen. I have since recognized my own sin of putting a preacher on a pedestal. John Piper has now been removed from this mental pedestal, and instead has been categorized with the Apostle Paul, who said: "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." (I Corinthians 11:1)
Thank you, Pastor John, for your humble example.
First published in Pursuing Perfection on Substack by © Tessa Lind, tessalind.substack.com
Recommended Reads:
John Piper's Upcoming Leave (Desiring God)The full statement Tessa quotes: John Piper's own words as he stepped away from the pulpit to confront the pride in his soul. Read the humble confession that grounded her for sixteen years.
The Modern Pulpit: When Leading Becomes About Status by Jane Isley A companion look at "Pulpit Pride" — how a place of service can quietly become a symbol of status, and why our church leaders need our prayers more than our judgment.
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