Page 22 - BMIN191 Beginnning Internship

22 Beginning Ministerial Internship: Student Manual

when others fail, has journeyed well down the path of pride. Self-aggrandizement
is incompatible with the call to servanthood. Repeatedly we are called to a focus on
God’s will and the good of others. A proud heart has little desire to achieve either.

Biblical Examples
In Scripture, while there are many examples of hearts controlled by pride, the
Pharisees of Jesus’ day offer perhaps the most poignant picture. Jesus labeled them
“white-washed tombs” (Matthew 23:27) to symbolize their hollowness. Though on
the outside their abilities and performances caused others to think them spiritual,
within they lacked much.

12 What aspects of the The minister can slip into the snare of functioning the same way. Good
Pharisees’ failures do you see performance at ministry tasks can mask a growing emptiness within. The
in the modern church? affirmation that comes with successes can add to the lure. Ministers who nourish
their self-worth on the praise of others will ultimately make praise a goal and
ignore the Spirit’s tug toward a sincere and humble heart. A proud heart takes
control and leaves one bankrupt of true success. Thus, the proud heart ultimately
seeks for itself at the expense of others. Without question, it destroys its host.

Evidence and Results
There is no denying that pride comes in many forms. The beginner must
understand that humans cannot outrun the temptation of a proud heart, so there
must be a guard set against allowing the seeds to take root.
Justification is another sign that hangs on the door of a proud heart. While it
seems unconscionable on the surface, a proud heart can lead a minister to ignore
grievous sin in his or her own life while the minister is hard at work leading
the rest of the church in spiritual pursuits. In ancient Israel, the high priest was
careful to purify his own heart before offering sacrifices of atonement for the
people because he knew sin in his own life would bring death inside the holy
place. Today, God’s grace shields us from this kind of punishment, in most cases,
and the proud of heart take advantage of that grace with a portrayal of spirituality
that covers neglect and sin. Because a proud heart sows seed that will ultimately
choke out the purposes of God in one’s life and ministry, the minister should note
that pride tops the list of behaviors God finds abominable (Proverbs 6:16–19).
Pursuing Change
There is but one way to counteract a proud heart—to humble oneself before
God and others. As children of God, we must acknowledge our sins and turn
from them in order to move toward God. There is no special prescription for the
minister. The minister’s pride is conquered just like any other sinner’s.
However, the minister ought to consider the impact of personal pride when
desiring to turn from it. While public confession may not be warranted, true
humility will take into account those damaged and make appropriate effort to
repair. The prescription for maintaining a heart free of pride is worship.

A Resentful Heart
The Heart Defined
Life in the ministry can be most difficult. Surveys typically find the ministry
as one of the most stressful occupations. The expectations of people coupled with
being the recipient of that occasional hurtful expression make a resentful heart.
By definition, a resentful heart is one that has failed to forgive past wrongs,
and instead allowed those wrongs to grow beyond their original size. A resentful