But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction.  2 Chronicles 26:16

This week I heard of yet another successful, evangelical pastor who has fallen from ministry due to sin.  It seems we hear this all the time.  In most cases it involves immorality, at least on the surface.  But in every case I think it involves pride.  When you get right down to it, most fall due to pride; thinking they are above failure, beyond correction, outside the laws and rules that govern commoners.  Pride is a dangerous attribute for the Christian.  Uzziah’s pride was his ultimate downfall, as the bible puts it, his destruction.  Uzziah was a good king, made the right changes, made good choices, led the nation well.  God prospered him.  But his pride led him to believe that God’s rules did not apply to him, this is dangerous ground on which to tread.  Maybe we need to welcome a little failure in life, a little forced humility.  It might very well be the antidote to the pride that so easily leads to our downfall.  Better yet, we need to recognize where our success originates; from the hand of our gracious God.

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