Pride or Humility?
Thank you for reading this post. My desire is that after you read the post, you will have a more intimate relationship with God. Eric
If I would ask each one who reads this blog post whether or not they have compared themselves with others, I believe everyone, after examining themselves honestly, would say, “Yes.” The results of such comparisons are rarely good.
In one possible scenario, an individual with low self-esteem would feel that everyone is better than themselves. That would not be an accurate perception. Some might see what others have and experience jealousy, envy, or covetousness. Then, there are those who often perceive themselves as being better than others.
How do you compare yourself to those of a different social economic class? How do you rank yourself compared to those who are poor, uneducated, homeless, are of a different race, or who simply have less than you?
Theodore Roosevelt has been quoted as saying, “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
Galatians 6:4 (CSB), “Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else.”
James 3:16 (ESV), “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”
Reading Philippians 2:2b and 3 (HNV) leads us to our topic for today. ”having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; 3 doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;” We are going to examine the important topic of humility.
Humility is defined at dictionary.com as “having a modest opinion of one’s own importance or rank.” In positivepsychology.com, humility is a “virtue that comes from understanding our place in the larger order of things. It involves not taking our desires, successes, or failings too seriously and being accurate about our self-perception and that of others.” The Biblical definition, in Word Wealth in the New Spirit Filled Life Bible, of humility is “lowliness, a humble attitude of unselfish concern for the welfare of others. It is a total absence of arrogance, conceit, and haughtiness.”
Throughout our study, we will see the value of living our life with humility. Before we begin though, I need to pose this question, “Why should our living our life with humility be such an important matter to us?”
Since, as believers, our life is to reflect Christ to the world. Our answers are found in Kingdom Dynamics in the New Spirit Filled Life Bible. “Becoming like Jesus means becoming servant-hearted. He came to serve as an example of humility and self sacrifice. The greatest asset of the leader who points to Christ is being a true example of Christ who leads as a submitted servant. Jesus was totally submitted to the Father,”
We see His total submission to the Father in the following Scriptures. We read Jesus’s words in John 5:30 (NLT), “ I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.” Also, in John 8:28 (NASB20) we read, “So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am, and I do nothing on My own, but I say these things as the Father instructed Me.” That total humility and submission to the father led Him to the cross for you and me.
Jesus had much to say about humility. He shared this parable concerning the humility we need to have before God in Luke 18:9-14 (CSB). Take note in verse 9 of why He told this parable. “9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 "The Pharisee was standing and praying like this about himself: 'God, I thank you that I'm not like other people -- greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 "I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.' 13 "But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner! ' 14 "I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Inserting the Greek meanings, verse 14 could read this way: I tell you, the tax collector went down to his house having been judged and declared righteous and therefore acceptable rather than the other, Because everyone who lifts himself up with haughtiness and empty pride will be abased or have his pride brought down by being placed at a lower rank. Others, who have a modest opinion of themselves and behave in an unassuming manner, devoid of all haughtiness, shall be raised to honor.
Jesus also shared the following parable to teach how our humility should be displayed toward others. Luke 14: 7-11 (CSB), “He told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they would choose the best places for themselves: 8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, don't sit in the place of honor, because a more distinguished person than you may have been invited by your host. 9 "The one who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give your place to this man,' and then in humiliation, you will proceed to take the lowest place. 10 "But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when the one who invited you comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' You will then be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Note that in verse 11 that ‘exalt’ means to exalt himself with haughtiness and empty pride. ‘Humbles’ means brought low. God honors those who recognize their own lowliness and unworthiness. We are all sinners saved by grace, who rely on God’s mercy!
In regard to humility, we are to have an honest perspective of ourselves in relation to others.
Jesus said that the greatest (eminent or distinguished for ability, virtue, authority, and power) among us are those who are willing to serve others. (Matthew 23:11).
Galatians 6:3 (CSB), reveals, “For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” ‘Something,’ tis in the Greek, means: something of consequence or extra-ordinary. This verse describes one who is full of self-conceit which leads to pride.
Looking at God’s stance on pride, we see that James 4:6 reveals that God resists or opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Proverbs 29:23 (NKJV) states, “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.”
1 Peter 5:5 (ESV), “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." This verse significantly reveals that young people are to submit themselves to their elders. Sadly, in our society today, this valuable truth has been lost as many young people have become totally rebellious and defiant toward any authority figure over them. Interestingly, verse 5 also teaches us that “all” of us are to be submissive to ‘one another’ and clothed with humility. Why? Reiterating James 4:6, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” “All” means all, i.e. young, old, students, teachers, janitors, CEO’s, parents, children, siblings, store clerks, etcetera.
When the Spirit of God states the same truth more than once in the scriptures, realize it is important. So, if it is an important truth to God, it needs to be an important truth to you.
Although a short verse, Proverbs 11:2 (NLT) is profound, “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” We need to look at the Hebrew meanings to fully understand and glean the truth presented in this verse. Pride, insolence, arrogance, and presumptous-ness will bring you to disgrace, dishonor, reproach, and shame. However, when you are reserved, modest, or show humility you have wisdom. [The fundamental principle of wisdom is fearing God, which brings life, blessing, honor, and the favor of God.]” (Truth in Action in the New Spirit Filled Life Bible). Wow! Don’t fall a victim of pride!
Micah 6:8 presents another vital truth for us. The Lord requires or demands that we act justly,.. to love mercy, and walk humbly.
Keep in mind, there are many scriptures which reveal that those who refuse to be humble before God, will be humbled. 1 Samuel 2:3 (NIV) reads, “Do not keep talking so proudly or let you mouth speak such arrogance for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. Then, verse 7 reveals that the Lord sends poverty and wealth; He humbles (sets in a lower place) and exalts (sets on high, uplifts).
Daniel 4:30-37 (NLT) records the account of King Nebuchadnezzar’s pride and how the Lord humbled him. Nebuchadnezzar was so full of himself and pride that he ended up in a field eating grass with his hair as long as eagles’ feathers and nails like bird’s claws. When he came to reason or his senses, He blessed God realizing His Kingdom and dominion lasts forvever. In verse 37, he acknowledged this concerning the Lord, “His works are true, His ways just; and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.”
Always remember, as children of God, we are to be the body of Christ here on this earth and we are to reflect Him and His nature to all we meet.
Before I close today, I feel it is important that I remind you that you should feel good about who you are, about what you are able to do, and to acknowledge your accomplishments, realizing that you are a child of God and you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Give Him all of the glory! Thank Him for your blessings! Everything you are and accomplish is due to the presence of Christ in your life! If you must boast, boast on God!
Colossians 3:12 and 17 (NIV), “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ... 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him”
Keep on keeping on.
CSB Christian Standard Bible
ESV English Standard Version
HNV Hebrew Names Version
NLT New Living Translation
NASB20 New American Standard Bible 2020
NKJV New King James Version
NIV New International Version