Over the course of history, humanity has seen many business and spiritual “giants” who became victims of their own success. These leaders started well, built successful organisations and personal brands, but fame, power and pride ultimately led to their downfall.
King Uzziah started well as a young ruler. Because he sought the Lord, he was blessed in every aspect of life – military, agricultural, the building of Jerusalem, and enjoyed the upper hand in geopolitics (2 Chronicles 26:3-15). As long as Uzziah sought the Lord, God prospered him. Unfortunately, he later became intoxicated with success and pride and presumptuous as a king:
“But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against the Lord his God by entering the sanctuary of the Lord’s Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar.” – 2 Chronicles 26:16, NLT
God disciplined Uzziah and he ended his journey in isolation and disgrace (2 Chronicles 26:21-23). Here are some lessons to be learnt from Uzziah’s prideful life.
Firstly, pride displaces God from our lives. In our success, it is easy to trust in our resources, experiences, networks and make them substitutes for God. The public adulation we receive and personal entitlements can lead us to depend less on God. Let us acknowledge God in our success by staying humble in word and deed. We should also remain sensitive and pay close attention to any shift in our core values.
Secondly, pride blinds us to the fear of sin. When we entertain the thought that we are infallible, or think we can get away with any wrongdoing, we set ourselves on the path of sin’s destruction. Uzziah’s example warns us that our callous and presumptuous attitude is an affront to God. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7). Let us live in fear of God and sin’s consequences. Instead of rationalising our actions or behaviour, we should make every effort to model the actions or behaviour after that of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thirdly, pride rejects rebukes. Uzziah did not heed the priest’s call to leave the sanctuary (vv. 17-18). “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed – without remedy” (Proverbs 29:1). Feedback, and even rebuke from our friends and loved ones, must be received with humility and followed through with self-evaluation. Let us surround ourselves with wise and godly people who can speak truth in love to us. Let us be reminded that “Better is open rebuke than hidden love” (Proverbs 27:5).
In our success, beware of pride and remain humble. Let our achievements bring greater honour to God, and not to ourselves. Our successes are God’s blessings to us and we must steward it well for His purpose and glory.
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