Pride Through Righteousness and Even Failure
The Sneaky Nature of Pride
Pride is a subtle and sneaky enemy. It can take root in the most unexpected places. One of the most obvious, especially in the Christian context, is through self-righteousness. This is likely because Jesus called it out so frequently in the Gospels, often directing His harshest criticisms at the Pharisees. They prided themselves on their religious knowledge and outward obedience to the Law, yet their hearts were hardened, blinded by their own perceived righteousness.
But pride doesn’t just manifest in self-righteousness—it can also take hold in failure. This form of pride is much harder to recognize because, on the surface, it appears to come from a place of humility. Someone acknowledges their shortcomings, yet they begin to believe that their failure uniquely qualifies them as an expert in helping others with the same struggle.
Pride in Failure: A Hidden Trap
For example, an addict may assume they are better equipped to help other addicts simply because they have firsthand experience with addiction. During my time working with men in recovery programs, I often heard this sentiment. Many of them believed that since I had never struggled with substance abuse, I couldn’t truly understand addiction, and therefore, I wasn’t qualified to help them.
But here’s the kicker—both perspectives can be flawed.
The Two Sides of the Same Coin
The first error is when someone who has never struggled with a particular sin begins to feel morally superior because of their lack of temptation. This creates a dangerous illusion. The reality is that everyone on this earth faces temptation in some form, and to one degree or another, we all fail. Recognizing this should cultivate empathy for others rather than a sense of superiority. If a person believes they are immune to a particular sin, they are vulnerable to a different kind of fall—pride, complacency, or a failure to guard against temptation. As Scripture warns, “Sin is crouching at the door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7).
The second mistake is believing that personal failure is the only valid qualification for guiding others through similar struggles. It’s certainly a valuable perspective, but it’s not the only one.
Both Perspectives Matter
For instance, a person who has never committed adultery can still offer great insight to someone who is struggling in that area. How? Because they have faced temptation and resisted it. They can share how they established boundaries, what safeguards they put in place, and how they maintained accountability. Their perspective provides wisdom in prevention, which is just as valuable as wisdom in recovery.
On the other hand, someone who has fallen into sin and found redemption also has an important perspective. They can speak from experience about what led to their downfall, what they lacked in terms of accountability, and what they would have done differently. This perspective is crucial for those who have already stumbled and are seeking a way back.
The Wisdom of Both Victory and Defeat
C.S. Lewis once used the analogy of a boxer who goes all twelve rounds in a fight versus one who gets knocked out in the third. The fighter who endures all twelve rounds has certainly learned more about the opponent’s strategy, endurance, and weaknesses. But that doesn’t mean we can’t learn something from the one who was knocked out early. His loss still reveals something important—perhaps a flaw in defense, a lack of preparation, or an opponent’s unexpected strength.
In the same way, both those who have resisted sin and those who have fallen into it can teach us. The key is humility—acknowledging that no single perspective has all the answers and that wisdom can come from both success and failure.
