How the Mighty Have Fallen
One of the most popular business books in recent decades was Good to Great by Jim Collins. For a season, it was a must-read for leaders and their teams.
In the book, Collins provided incredible insight, based on meticulous research, as to how companies that were good in terms of their performance became great. They moved from mediocrity to the top of their industries and were widely recognized as market leaders.
But eight years later, Collins realized that another book needed to be written. In the midst of a changing market and changing times, some of the companies that had previously been declared as great – Merck, Motorola, and Hewlett-Packard – lost their way and struggled. Others – like Circuit City – disappeared completely.
The book was titled, How the Mighty Fall, as some of the previously great companies were great no more. Collins offers multiple reasons for this tumble from the top. Leading his list is hubris.
According to Collins, hubris can be defined as the “pride that brings down a hero” or “outrageous arrogance that inflicts suffering upon the innocent.”
The thing is, it’s not just great companies that can fall due to hubris. Great people can fall as well.
When excessive pride and an entitlement mentality take over, leaders can begin to see themselves as “above the law.” They start taking risks and rationalizing behaviors that end up causing ruin, harm, and suffering, to themselves and to those around them.
When excessive pride and an entitlement mentality take over, leaders can begin to see themselves as “above the law” - taking risks and rationalizing behaviors that end up causing harm to themselves and others.
A Biblical Example
The phrase, “how the mighty fall” is not original to Collins. It was the biblical figure David who said it first. Upon hearing of the demise and death of Saul, the king before him, David lamented, “How the mighty have fallen!” (2 Samuel 1:19).
David watched what happened when a leader gave in to hubris. When he cared more about success in the eyes of men than submission to the word of God, more about having a glowing reputation than godly character.
David had a front-row seat to the tragic implications of this as Saul lost not only his throne but, ultimately, his life.
Yet a night came when the man who coined the phrase “How the mighty have fallen” was unable to keep himself from falling. In an extraordinary act of hubris, David committed adultery and, in an attempting to cover it up, effectively committed murder.
Too Many Examples
The reason why this is heavy on my heart these days is that, in the past year, several nationally known leaders I have long admired have “fallen.” Their reputation has been tarnished and their followers have become disillusioned.
But it’s not just mega-church pastors who are susceptible to a fall. The everyday pastor is just as vulnerable. I’ve known too many small church leaders who fell prey to their hubris. The relative “height” of their position led them to think of themselves as entitled to that pleasure, advantage, or privilege.
Too many everyday pastors fall prey to their hubris. The relative “height” of their position leads them to think of themselves as entitled to that pleasure, advantage, or privilege.
It might be manifest in inappropriate actions toward those of the opposite sex. It could be a function of playing fast and loose with an expense account, using church funds for personal gain.
But when the sin was found out (as Numbers 32:23 warns will happen, sooner or later), the results were a lost ministry, a damaged reputation, a devastated family, and a shattered church.
Some Spiritual Guardrails
So, what steps can a leader take in order to prevent taking a spiritual swan dive? Here are a few suggestions:
1. Don’t think that you’re immune from such temptation.
I think we would do well to consider Paul’s warning to the church at Corinth: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (I Corinthians 10:12, NKJV) If the one who was considered “a man after God’s own heart” can end up in a ditch, any of us can.
Don't think you're immune from temptation. If the one who was considered "a man after God's own heart" can end up in a ditch, any of us can.
2. Make the commitment to engage in deep community.
When you’re engaged with others who desire to know and be known, it provides a context of vulnerability and accountability. To be sure, this will only work if there’s real honesty. However, often it’s others who see some of the first signs of hubris in us.
3. Cling closely to the only One who is able to keep us from stumbling.
A growing, vital relationship with Christ offers multiple benefits. For one thing, if that relationship is one of joy and delight, obedience is so much easier (“Those who love Me, obey Me.” Jn. 14:23). For another thing, it creates an environment where the Holy Spirit can speak words of admonishment (“It’s God’s kindness that leads us to repentance.” Rom. 2:4).
We won’t be freed from this threat until we go home to heaven. Until then, may God grant that you be one who is not counted among the fallen.
Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever.
Amen.
(Jude 24-25)
The Everyday Pastor Blog is brought to you by our partners.
To support Dave DeSelm Ministries by becoming a partner, CLICK HERE.