Ministers hold a unique and vital role within the body of Christ. They are called to serve, lead, teach, and shepherd God’s people. However, the very nature of ministry — involving leadership, influence, and recognition — presents a significant danger: the tendency toward pride. Pride can creep into a minister’s heart insidiously, undermining their calling, tarnishing their witness, and hindering their effectiveness.
Understanding the signs of pride in a minister’s life is crucial for maintaining spiritual integrity, humility, and a Christlike attitude. The Bible offers profound warnings and guidance on this matter. This article explores fifteen signs of pride that can appear in the life of a minister, supported by biblical quotations, to help ministers self-examine and stay rooted in humility.
- Seeking Personal Recognition and Glory
One of the clearest signs of pride in a minister is the desire for personal recognition, applause, and admiration from people rather than seeking to glorify God.
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1)
“If I am to boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” (2 Corinthians 11:30)
A minister who craves applause or acknowledgment more than honoring Christ reveals pride. When ministry becomes about self-promotion rather than God’s glory, pride is at work.
- Prioritizing Image Over Substance
A prideful minister may focus on presenting an impressive outward appearance — eloquence, attire, or reputation — rather than genuine spiritual depth.
“They love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.” (Matthew 23:7-8)
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before others to be seen by them.” (Matthew 6:1)
Superficiality in ministry, emphasizing outward appearances and reputation over authentic spiritual life.
- Refusing to Accept Constructive Criticism
A prideful minister resists correction, dismisses rebukes, and refuses to acknowledge their faults.
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)
“Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will be suddenly destroyed—without remedy.” (Proverbs 29:1)
Defensive attitude to correction, unwillingness to listen, and a refusal to admit personal faults.
- Believing in Their Own Spiritual Superiority
A minister who considers themselves spiritually superior to others, looking down on congregants or fellow ministers, displays pride.
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4:6)
“Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
Feelings of spiritual superiority or condescension, leading to arrogance rather than humility.
- Relying on Personal Wisdom Rather Than God’s Guidance
A prideful minister trusts their own understanding and dismisses seeking God’s direction through prayer and Scripture.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord.” (Zechariah 4:6)
Making decisions without prayer or divine guidance, believing one’s wisdom is sufficient.
- Taking Credit for God’s Work
A sign of pride is claiming credit for successes that belong to God, diminishing His sovereignty and grace.
“So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:7)
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6)
Boasting about achievements or growth in the church as if it depends solely on human effort.
- Neglecting Prayer and Personal Devotion
A proud minister may neglect personal spiritual disciplines, believing they are spiritually sufficient without daily communion with God.
“Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Matthew 26:41)
Ignoring or neglecting prayer, Scripture, and spiritual growth, trusting one’s own strength.
- Being Judgmental and Critical of Others
Pride fosters a critical spirit, where the minister judges others harshly while excusing their own shortcomings.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3-5)
“If you think you are something when you are nothing, you deceive yourself.” (Galatians 6:3)
Quick to criticize others, slow to examine oneself, leading to arrogance.
- Seeking Power and Control
A prideful minister seeks control over people, programs, or church decisions, believing they are the ultimate authority.
“The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.” (Luke 22:26)
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Mark 10:45)
Dominating leadership style, resisting shared authority or accountability.
- Lack of Compassion and Empathy
Pride dulls compassion, making a minister insensitive to the needs, struggles, and sins of others, viewing them with judgment rather than mercy.
“Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
Coldness or indifference toward others’ suffering, valuing reputation over genuine love.
- Self-Justification and Excusing Sin
A proud minister refuses to admit their sins or shortcomings, justifying their behavior rather than repenting.
“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:40)
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)
Denial of fault, blaming others, or rationalizing sin instead of repentance.
- Overconfidence and Complacency
Pride breeds a false sense of security, leading to complacency in spiritual growth and neglect of ongoing sanctification.
“Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12)
“Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13)
Complacency in spiritual duties, believing oneself beyond failure.
- Using Ministry for Personal Gain
A sign of pride is using the ministry as a platform for personal ambition, wealth, or influence, rather than serving others.
“The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10)
“Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26)
Pursuit of personal advantage, prestige, or material wealth at the expense of humility.
- Disregarding the Authority of Scripture and the Holy Spirit
A proud minister may elevate personal opinion over biblical truth and resist the Spirit’s leading.
“Do not go beyond what is written.” (1 Corinthians 4:6)
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13)
Making doctrinal deviations, dismissing biblical correction, or relying on personal insight over divine guidance.
- Refusing to Submit to Accountability
A proud minister resists accountability, thinking they are beyond correction or oversight.
They don’t want to hear the word mentorship or submission.
“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.” (Hebrews 13:17)
“Two are better than one…if either of them falls down, the other can help them up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
Dear servants of God, let us be humble.
Yours In His Service
C. C. RAYMOND
