Pride that Covers Abuse
Today’s Text: Ezekiel 29:27-30:8 (Living Life Daily Devotional)
As Ezekiel prophesied against Egypt, God revealed that no nation or earthly power is beyond His judgment of righteousness. Egypt appeared strong and untouchable at one point in history, but beneath its greatness was pride. Pharaoh claimed ownership over the Nile, believing that his power came from himself rather than recognizing the authority of God. The downfall of Egypt reminds us of an important truth. God does not overlook pride. As Proverbs tells us, pride goes before destruction. Egypt’s problem was not simply that they were powerful. Their problem was that they became so confident in their own greatness that they believed they were above accountability. They trusted in their reputation, their influence, and their strength instead of humbling themselves before God. They became arrogant. This same warning applies not only to nations but also to churches today.
This past week, a well-known pastor committed a horrendous and vile crime against an innocent teenage victim. I once sat under this man’s preaching at a conference. When I first heard the news, I couldn’t believe it. I was angry. I was disgusted. What he did is not just any other sin. It was evil and it betrayed the very gospel that he claimed to represent. Sadly, this is not an isolated issue. We have seen repeated instances within Christianity where leaders have abused their authority and harmed those who were vulnerable, including those within their own congregation.
Churches, including many within the Southern Baptist Convention, have been forced to confront painful realities regarding abuse and failures of leadership. What makes these situations even more heartbreaking is hearing the stories of survivors who were ignored, dismissed, or failed by those in leadership who should have protected them. Instead of receiving care and justice, some victims experienced silence because protecting a reputation, ministry, or institution became more important than pursuing truth and righteousness. The irony behind it all is that these churches that proclaim to “be bold” or “stand strong for truth” are the same churches that are silent when it comes to abuse.
Why do churches cover up abuse? This is the danger of pride. Pride blinds people. It causes them to value appearance over holiness, reputation over repentance, and institutional preservation over the protection of those who are hurting. Pride convinces people that admitting failure will destroy them, so they hide, minimize, or dismiss what should have been confronted.
But while people may overlook suffering, God does not. God sees what prideful hearts cannot see. He sees the tears of victims. He hears the cries of those who have been silenced. He knows the truth that others attempt to hide. The same God who brought Egypt down from its pride is the God who brings hidden things into the light.
We must remember that this is not a new struggle within the church. In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul confronted a man who committed a vile and immoral sin within the church. However, Paul did not only rebuke the offender. He also rebuked the church because they had become prideful and tolerant of the evil taking place within their own body. Paul writes, “And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this?” (1 Corinthians 5:2). The Corinthian church’s problem was not only the sin of one individual. Their problem was that pride had blinded them from seeing the seriousness of sin. They tolerated what God condemned. They cared more about maintaining their identity and comfort than pursuing holiness and protecting the purity of Christ’s church.
This is a sobering warning for the church today. The greatest danger is not only when a person commits evil. The danger is also when a community becomes so concerned with protecting a name, a ministry, or an institution that they fail to do what is right before God. Someone once said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. The church must never prioritize protecting the reputation of the powerful over protecting the vulnerable. Jesus Himself showed compassion toward the broken, defended the oppressed, and confronted religious leaders who cared more about appearances than righteousness. A church that reflects Christ must be willing to tell the truth, pursue justice, care for victims, and hold leaders accountable.
The exposure of sin is painful, but hidden sin is far more destructive. When God brings darkness into the light, His purpose is not simply to destroy, it is to call His people back to repentance. Therefore, in addition to condemning the failure of others, it should lead us to examine our own hearts. A deep examination of our own heart, mind, and soul. May we remember the warning of Egypt. God is not impressed by our reputation built on our pride.. He desires faithfulness built on obedience and holiness. The church’s greatest witness is not its size, influence, or success. The church’s greatest witness is its commitment to Christ, its pursuit of holiness, and its willingness to repent when it fails. Remember what Peter wrote to the churches in Asia Minor, “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God.” (1 Peter 4:17).
May we be humble and reflect the holiness, justice, and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
