Between Complacency and Pride

Jordan Kwok—Newcastle, U.K.

During a discussion on the topic of faith, one youth posed a question about overcoming complacency and pride in our faith and service to God. As youths who are beginning to have responsibilities in church, we may easily develop a sense of self-confidence and self-entitlement towards our faith. We become comfortable with our spiritual lives because we are always in church—we attend every service and fellowship, and we do many good deeds. Our peaceful lives and our service to God make us feel as though we are right in our faith and better placed than others who don't do as much as we. But if we harbor such complacency, it can result in pride. In order to overcome complacency and pride, we must understand the biblical views and adopt the mind-set of humility.

HOW DOES COMPLACENCY DEVELOP INTO PRIDE?

The Cambridge Dictionary defines “complacency” and “pride” as follows:

Complacency: “a feeling of calm satisfaction with your own abilities or situation that prevents you from trying harder.”[1]

Pride: “the feelings of your own self-worth, the belief that you are better or more important than other people.”[2]

Complacency develops when we become satisfied with our spiritual life. We are comfortable with the position we are in—this may include our faith, our relationship with God, our service in church—and we see no need to improve.

For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. (2 Cor 10:12)

Here, Paul talks about a group of proud people in the church at Corinth who commended themselves by comparing themselves with others. Likewise, when we are complacent, we tend to compare ourselves with others within the community of faith. And when we compare, we open a gateway into pride and downfall. We see ourselves as strong, and others, who are not like us, as weak. Paul warns that such comparison is not wise, since the yardstick they used to judge is their own.

Instead, the standard of God should be our yardstick. Jesus tells us that we are known by the fruits we bear: a good tree bears good fruit, a bad tree bears bad fruit (Mt 7:16–20). Bearing good fruit distinguishes us as the disciples of Jesus and brings glory to God (Jn 15:8). The Bible repeatedly emphasizes on spiritual growth and cultivation through bearing fruit. It is our duty as disciples of Jesus to strive for spiritual perfection and to be more like Him.

With this understanding, we can reflect on the question: Does simply attending every church event cause us to bear good fruit and make us better than those who do not attend?

BEARING FRUIT

In order to bear fruit, the Bible tells us that we must walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16), be led by the Spirit (Gal 5:18) as well as hear and understand the word (Mt 13:23).
First, we must submit to the Spirit. Submission requires humility to deny ourselves and realize our own weaknesses. During His life on earth, Jesus declared that “the Son can do nothing of Himself” (Jn 5:19) and that it is “the Father who dwells in Me [who] does the works” (Jn 14:10). Similarly, we cannot grow and bear fruit without God, just as a branch cannot bear fruit without the vine (Jn 15:1–8). Without God’s Spirit, we are merely flesh and naturally, can only produce the works of the flesh (Gal 5:19–21), which are contrary to the Spirit.

Recognizing this is the first step towards humility—every fruit we bear is through God and from God. This applies to both our service to God and our faith. Humility also helps us to recognize God’s great love and grace; He provides us with His Spirit to enable us to serve and to grow, although we are sinful beings of the flesh.

Next, to bear fruit, we must subject to and be led by the Spirit. We need to live an active spiritual life, hand in hand with God, allowing the Spirit to guide us in all that we do. God’s Spirit enables us to act according to God’s principles and live a holy life. Through constant prayers, we will be strengthened by God, despite the challenges we may face in our daily lives and in our service to God.

Finally, to bear fruit we must hear and understand God’s word. On top of attending services and diligently studying the Bible, we need to ponder over the Scriptures’ teachings and apply them in our daily lives. By doing so, we will not only have faith but we will also have works. Through humility in spiritual cultivation, God will allow our fruits to grow.
By understanding the standards of God and maintaining a humble mind-set, we can quench complacency before it begins and prevent pride from developing in us.

PAUL’S EXAMPLE

In his epistles, Paul shared how he overcame pride from complacency. Paul was a mighty apostle who worked zealously for God. It would have been reasonable for people to look up to him, follow him as a spiritual leader, and praise him for his faith. Such accolades could have easily made Paul proud. But what did he actually think?

For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Cor 15:9–10)

Paul understood that because of his past, he was unworthy to serve God or be called an apostle. He knew that it was only by God’s grace that he became an apostle and could serve the way he did. This self-realization as well as the love and mercy of God motivated him to labor for the Lord’s ministry. In the Book of Ephesians, Paul reiterated that he was the least of all believers, and that it was only through God’s grace that he could preach (Eph 3:8). This was Paul’s humility.

CONCLUSION

Taking every opportunity to attend services and fellowships, and to participate in church work is good and plays a key role in spiritual cultivation. But if we are not vigilant, we will easily fall into the complacency trap. And when we allow complacency to develop, it will lead to pride.

Conversely, if we understand that God’s standards are far above ours, we will pursue spiritual growth through spiritual cultivation; we will never feel complacent, but will strive to bear fruit for the glory of God. Ultimately, the key to overcoming complacency and pride is humility, acknowledging that everything we do, from serving to bearing fruit, is through the hand of God. Like Jesus and Apostle Paul, with humility, we submit to the Spirit and lead a fruitful life filled with goodness, righteousness, and truth (Eph 5:9).

Once we are able to bear fruit, the Lord will delight in us (Ps 147:11; 149:4). May God guide us to examine ourselves (2 Cor 13:5) and to ensure that we don't compare ourselves with others according to man's standards; rather, let us grow with humility in the light of His word.