When You'd Rather Wear a Cape

Here's something you may not know about me. I’ve gotten really into comics lately. Really into them. Over the past year, it’s become one of my hobbies. I’ve even had some of my youth group kids start calling me a nerd because of it — and you know what? They’re right. I am a bit of a nerd. (So what if I have a different Superhero shirt for every single day of Momentum and can talk for hours about Jonathan Hickman's Fantastic Four run?)

And this summer, two of my favorites — Superman and The Fantastic Four — are getting new movies. I love superheroes because they always manage to save the day. No matter how bad the odds, no matter how powerful the villain, they pull it off. And they do it looking impossibly cool — not a hair out of place, no panic in their eyes, no weakness to be seen.

If I’m honest, I wish I could live like that. Strong. Self-sufficient. Bulletproof. But there’s a word for that desire — Proverbs calls it pride.

Pride is one of the most dangerous obstacle between us and a life of fearing and following God. It is subtle, slippery, and shockingly durable. It tells you that you can fix yourself. That you can build your own reputation, protect your own security, and defend your own righteousness. Pride is the voice that says, “You are enough,” while subtly implying that God isn’t.

Proverbs is unsparing about what pride does:

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” — Proverbs 16:18

Pride doesn’t just sabotage your relationships or leave you lonely — it sets you up for a spectacular crash. It builds a tower of confidence that looks impressive but is structurally unsound, ready to collapse. And when it does, it ruins reputations, poisons community, and even fractures your relationship with God.

Pride convinces us that we are strong enough, wise enough, spiritual enough, or smart enough to carry the weight of our own lives. Like a bad comic book character trying to play God, pride insists we are the hero of the story.

But the wisdom of Proverbs reminds us we’re not.

Humility, on the other hand, is what truly changes the story. Proverbs 29:23 says:

“One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”

In God’s kingdom, the only way up is down.

Humility is not weakness; it is the right view of yourself before a holy God. It is agreeing with God about your need. It is recognizing that every ounce of strength, every gift, every blessing, every opportunity — it is all grace. And humility is the soil in which real wisdom grows.

And that’s where Jesus comes in.

Think about Him — the King of glory, who had cosmic power beyond any superhero story, yet took the form of a servant. The One who could have come down with lightning and legions of angels, but instead laid down His life. The only true Superman who let Himself be crucified by the very people He came to rescue.

Why?

So you could finally let go of pretending to be the hero.
So you could stop trying to rescue yourself.
So you could rest in the only Savior who never fails.

Pride tells you to hide your weakness.
The gospel tells you to boast in it (2 Cor. 12:9).

Pride tells you to project an image of perfection.
The gospel frees you to confess sin and find mercy.

Pride demands you be served.
The gospel calls you to serve.

Pride isolates you in lonely self-sufficiency.
The gospel places you in a family, held together by grace.

And that’s why Proverbs is so serious about pride — because pride is anti-gospel. Pride is spiritual kryptonite. Pride says, “I am enough,” while the cross of Jesus forever declares, “Only Christ is.”

Pastor Tim gave us a challenge this week: Do you need to repent of some prideful behavior?

If I’m honest, I do. I still want to look strong, sound smart, and protect my reputation. But the gospel invites me to remember that humility is the best path — the only path — to true rest.

So let me ask you:
•Where is pride creeping into your conversations?
•Where are you trying to be Superman instead of a servant?
•Where have you refused to ask for help, because you wanted to look capable?

Proverbs calls you to lay it down. To confess it. To remember that Jesus already carried the burden you’re trying to shoulder.

Maybe you need to write something down this week:
•“I am not the hero of this story.”
•“Jesus is enough.”
•“It’s okay to be small.”
•“My weakness is the backdrop of God’s strength.”

Tape it to your mirror, your dashboard, or your Bible. Let it preach to you every morning.

Friend, you are not Superman. Neither am I.

But there is a Savior who is stronger than any enemy, wiser than any advisor, and kinder than any hero you could invent. He gave up His power to rescue the proud, so that we might be humbled, healed, and made whole.

Lay down the cape this week.
Step out of the spotlight.
Confess where you’ve tried to be your own Savior.
And let Jesus — the true and better hero — carry you.

That’s a story better than any comic book I’ve ever read.