The Intoxication of Pride

Pride mangles how we see the world. I was reading in 2 Timothy 4:5 where Paul charged Timothy, “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” In the past I tended to gloss over the sober-minded part. Unlike the false teachers, who are “men corrupted in mind” (1 Timothy 3:8), Timothy is to be one who is sober in his thinking—possessing a clear head. He should understand the truth and perceive the world accurately. I assumed that the principle here was that I should not partake in substances or activities to the degree that would hinder my ability to think clearly. True. But while I was busy building disciplines to protect my mind from external influences I left myself defenseless to the subtle intoxication of my own pride.

A Warped Perception of Reality

Pride intoxicates our minds. I use the word intoxication because it viscerally communicates the opposite of sobriety. Typically we understand this to mean that we have ingested alcohol to the degree that we lose the mental faculties to make rational decisions. While pride is not a substance we ingest, it is a mindset we choose. The apostle Paul taught this in Romans 12:3 when he said, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment…” Paul says that to be prideful is an inflated way of thinking. This elevated self-perception causes our judgement to descend into a warped way of seeing the world. Pride mangles perception.

The Self-Focus of the Prideful Person

The warped perception pride brings comes from the self-focused filter it demands. Let me get personal again. In certain seasons of life my pride caused me to keep my daily concerns bent on myself. The tricky part was that it surfaced in a number of ways. Sometimes it was bombastic and obvious, other times it was a subtle self-deprecation. At times my pride convinced me I was the smartest person in the room who had nothing to learn from others. At other times, I was desperate for affirmation, falling into self-pity and fishing for compliments. Oddly enough, both of these are rooted in pride. In the former, the pride was obvious as I was dismissive of others rather than seeking what I could learn from them. In the latter, the pride lurked unseen. I believed I needed affirmation from others to know I had value—a warped perception of reality. I do not exist to be praised. I related to people in order to get something from them. Is this not thinking of myself more highly than I ought to? My pride mangled my perception. I needed sobering.

The Sober Selflessness of Humility

While pride intoxicates, humility sobers. Here is something we cannot miss: humility does not lead to self-abasement but to self-security. Contrary to what some people may think, true humility is not embodied by telling others how worthless we are. Let this sink in: humility doesn’t mean we think lowlier of ourselves than we ought to—that would also be a warped perception—rather humility means resting in an accurate self-image. The humble person is the most secure person in the room because they “think with sober judgment” (Romans 12:3). They know their station and they do not need to be elevated above it, nor are they concerned about being perceived below where they ought to be. C.S. Lewis mentions this in his book Mere Christianity when he says,

Do not imagine that if you meet a humble man he will be what most people call “humble” nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: He will not be thinking about himself at all.

Humble people go through life with the ability to not need to relate everything to themselves. What comes from this humility is a powerful security that fuels a selfless lifestyle. Don’t miss this: The prideful person shows up seeking to gain something from others, the humble person is the only one who can show up without thinking about themselves. What a powerful presence.

This selfless way of thinking is the most sober way of looking at the world. Why? Because you and I were not made to be at the center—that spot is reserved for the One who has made all things. It is all about Him. I am a part of His story. I don’t have to worry about making much of myself because I wasn’t made for that. Is that refreshing for you? It is for me. I don’t have this figured out, but would you join me in trying to rest in the saving work of Christ—knowing we have all we need in him—so that we might think of ourselves less? I want that peace. I want that kind of sober mindedness. I want that security. I bet you do too.

Let’s put down the pride. Let’s humbly follow Christ.

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