Higher Level, Higher Devil? Why That Belief Is Keeping You Small

Higher Level, Higher Devil? Why That Belief Is Keeping You Small

You've probably heard it before: step into more, expect more trouble. "Higher level, higher devil." It sounds spiritual. It might even feel true when things get hard after a promotion. But it's not the lens Christian business leaders are meant to live through — and Matt Flegler unpacks why in the latest episode of the Salt and Light Wealth Podcast.

The Question That Shifted the Room

The episode grew out of a session Matt led at Business Refresh, the annual Salt + Light Wealth retreat. He asked the room to look back at their story — the highs, the lows, the moments God stepped in, redirected, restored what looked finished. People could talk about that easily. They could write books about the lessons they'd learned.

What Do You Carry?

Next came a harder question: what do you carry? What do people come to you for? What changes when you walk into a room? Again, people had answers. Clarity, courage, the ability to build businesses, to bring people together, to create order out of chaos — these are gifts God has developed in people over years, often through the hardest seasons.

The Dream You Haven't Said Out Loud

Then came the question that made the room go quiet: what are you dreaming about with God? What do you believe He's calling you to build next?

Sharing pain feels safe. Naming strengths feels safe too. But saying "I believe God has called me to this" is vulnerable — because now it's out there. Someone can ask about it next month. Someone can hold you accountable to it.

Ego vs Faith

Matt draws a clear line here. Ego says, "Look what I can do." Faith says, "You put this in me, and I'm willing to steward it." That's what greatness looks like in the Kingdom — not self-importance, but responsibility. It's the parable of the talents: the servant who buried what he had wasn't criticised for having less. He was challenged for doing nothing with what he'd been given.

Busting "Higher Level, Higher Devil"

This is where Matt pushes back hardest. Yes, taking new ground can bring resistance. But greater promotion doesn't mean greater exposure — it means greater protection, and a deeper level of trust in God. Psalm 91 calls Him our refuge and fortress. Isaiah 54 says no weapon formed against you will prosper. Fear doesn't get the final word — wisdom, good counsel and confidence in God do.

Your Next Faithful Step

You don't need the whole plan before you begin. You need enough clarity to obey today. Look back at your story. Notice what you carry. Ask what faithfulness looks like in this next season — then bring that dream to God, and to a Kingdom community who'll pray with you and tell you the truth in love.

🎧 Listen to the full episode: Higher Level, Higher Devil - Lets Talk About That!