I Timothy 3:6 gives an important warning to all us when it speaks to one of the qualifications for pastor. Verse 6 says he is to be “not a new convert.” Many people would nod their heads in agreement with that: a new convert wouldn’t know enough to be a pastor. But enlightening to us is what :6 says is the REASON he is not to be a new convert: NOT because he doesn’t “know enough”, but “lest he become conceited, and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.”

A new convert shouldn’t be an overseer not because he lacks knowledge or experience, as one might expect, but rather because of the lurking danger of pride. This should be very instructive to us: the greatest danger to spiritual ministry is not lack of knowledge or experience, or a hundred other things – but rather the destructive pitfall of pride.
Some might think of pride as a relatively “minor” sin, compared to murder, adultery, drunkenness, etc., and blithely overlook it in potential servants of God: “He’s a good minister; just a little proud.” But the Bible has an entirely different view. It tells us here it that pride absolutely disqualifies a man for ministry. This makes sense when you remember that the foundation of Biblical ministry is humility and dependence upon God, as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:3, Matthew 18:4, and elsewhere. So, do not give way to the deceptive notion that pride is a “little” sin which doesn’t really affect one’s ministry. The Bible tells us otherwise here.

Significantly, this word is not only for pastors and other ministers. The ministry — and even basic Christian walk — of ANY person will be destroyed by pride. With this in mind, we also need to be careful not to put OTHERS in a position where they will be harmed (and harm others) with pride. Do not flatter someone; do not “puff them up”. Remind them of what GOD has done and can do through them. You are not doing a person a favor by building up their pride. In fact, it may lead to their downfall, and multiplied harm to countless others as well. Pride is no minor flaw.