If we’re being honest, most of us wouldn’t be thrilled to hear our pastor was preaching a sermon on pride. It’s not exactly the kind of topic that excites conversations after church. But for Chad Veach, pastor of Zoe Church in Los Angeles, pride wasn’t just a topic he needed to preach on—it was a battle he had to face within himself.
It all started during a trip to Atlanta, after a dinner with Louie Giglio, pastor of Passion Church. As they waited for their cars, Giglio pulled Veach aside for what would become a pivotal moment.
“He got real close to my face and said, ‘I want you to go low in this next season,’” Veach recalls. “At first, I thought it was just advice. But then he said it again a few months later, and God made it clear on the plane ride home: ‘You need to go low, or you’ll destroy your life.’ That’s when everything shifted.”
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That moment led Veach on a journey of self-examination, prayer, and humility that he says reshaped how he viewed his life, his relationships, and his ministry. It also became clear that this wasn’t a lesson he could keep to himself.
“Pride is something we’ll all wrestle with for our entire lives,” Veach says. “But the freedom that comes with humility? That’s what makes it worth the fight.”
A Lifelong Process
For Veach, confronting pride isn’t a one-time event. It’s a constant, hour-by-hour battle. Even now, moments of pride sneak into his everyday life.
“I’ll argue with my wife, and she’ll say, ‘The guy who wrote a book on pride is being prideful,’” Veach shares with a laugh. “She’s not wrong. It’s humbling to realize you never arrive. Pride is always lurking.”
The pastor admits it’s easy to let pride disguise itself as ambition or confidence, especially in a culture that celebrates individual achievement.
But Veach sees a stark difference between self-promotion and true confidence. “Pride lets you take the spotlight for yourself. Humility uses the same gifts and talents to lift others up,” he says.
He also points out the ripple effects pride can have. “Pride has ruined relationships, poisoned opportunities, and even hurt my soul. It’s sneaky like that. But humility? It brings freedom. It lets you serve, love, and live for something bigger than yourself.”
What Is Pride? What Is Humility?
When Veach describes pride, he doesn’t sugarcoat it.
“Pride is arrogant, conceited, and self-reliant,” he says. “It convinces you that you’re better than others or that you can make it all on your own. That’s where the danger lies. It’s the root of so many of our problems—racism, selfishness, even greed.”
Humility, on the other hand, offers a better way forward. “Humility isn’t about thinking less of yourself. It’s about thinking less about yourself,” Veach explains. “It’s having an accurate view of yourself—not downplaying your gifts but also not using them for your own glory.”
He emphasizes that humility isn’t passive. “It’s active. It’s a choice to use what you’ve been given to serve others, to love deeply, and to live out the purpose God’s given you. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.”
The Questions We Need to Ask Ourselves
One of the keys to humility, Veach says, is honesty. And that starts with asking tough questions.
“Why am I doing this? What are my true motives? What am I looking to get out of this?” he asks. “Most people struggle to be honest with others because they’re not honest with themselves.”
Veach points to an observation from pastor John Mark Comer that stuck with him: “In 30 years of ministry, no one has ever confessed to greed.”
That’s a symptom of a larger issue, Veach says. “We think of sin as these obvious, external things, but pride and greed live quietly in our hearts. They hide. That’s why we need to be intentional about bringing them to light.”
He adds that self-awareness isn’t enough—action is required. “The moment you confess pride, it loses power. Acknowledging it doesn’t just humble you; it frees you.”
What’s at Stake for the Church
For Veach, the battle against pride isn’t just personal—it’s communal.
“The Church as a whole needs to humble itself,” he says. “God says, ‘If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, and turn from their wicked ways, I will heal their land.’ That promise starts with humility.”
The implications of that verse, Veach says, are enormous. “We live in a culture that rewards pride, that values self-promotion and power. But God is clear: He’s opposed to the proud. That means if the Church stays prideful, we’re walking without Him. But if we humble ourselves, we can see restoration, healing, and forgiveness.”
A Daily Choice
Humility, Veach says, is a decision we make every day—and often, every hour.
“It’s so easy to slip back into pride,” he admits. “That’s why we need to stay grounded, to constantly bring our motives before God and ask for His help.”
One of Veach’s favorite reminders comes from the Lord’s Prayer.
“Jesus teaches us to start with humility: ‘Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done.’ It’s not about us. It’s about Him. Even in prayer, Jesus shows us how to keep God at the center.”
As he reflects on his own journey, Veach emphasizes that humility isn’t about weakness—it’s about strength.
“Pride feels safe because it is familiar, but it’s also a trap. Humility, on the other hand, opens doors. It creates intimacy in relationships, builds trust and lets you live fully alive.”
His encouragement is simple yet profound: “Take your ego to the cross. Kill your pride. Live the life God designed for you. It’s not easy, but it’s the most liberating, adventurous life you could imagine.”
