Hindrances To Humility

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

As Christmas approaches, I am mindful of the humble manner in which our Lord Jesus Christ entered this world.
The lowly manger in the stable, makes a strong statement concerning the manner in which the Son of God approached man-kind.

The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 2:8 "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death on the cross."
Jesus came to this world to be "a suffering servant" (Isaiah 53) 

You will not find in Jesus any of these negative attitudes, that are hindrances to humility. Attitudes such as selfish ambition, or conceit. The attitude of only looking out for our own interests instead the interests of others. (And I am not talking about meddling, but ministry)

The world is becoming more selfish everyday. And selfishness is not only creeping into the church, it is marching right in, and showing it's ugly head.

For us as Christians, the Apostle Paul gives us the key to establishing, and maintaining humility in our relationships. In v.5 he says:" Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus." Unity will only be a 100% reality, when we become more like Christ, instead of trying to be like the world. It would be very tough, if we didn't have a model to follow.
But praise God, we do! GP

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The Help Of Humility

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time." (1 Peter 5:6)

Why is there erasers on the end of our pencils? Just in case we make a mistake, we have something to help us correct it. Even though many people would acknowledge the fact that they make mistakes, there are people who act like they have never made mistakes, and carry with them, an arrogant attitude.

We are not all right, and we are not all wrong. We are human beings, exhibiting both the positive and the negative. No one is better, or more important than, anyone else.

The Bible is clear, as the Apostle Paul said in Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." The whole human race has sinned and fallen short of God's glory. So how can we act so arrogant, and self-centered, when we fall short before a righteous God?

We care a great deal about what the world thinks, instead of what God thinks. If we would do what our text tells us, we would be able to have a proper view of ourselves. If we would humble ourselves, and concentrate on being a blessing to others, God in His time, would show us our place, and our purpose, in this life.

If we allow the Lord Jesus Christ to make us right before His Father, we would be able to place ourselves in the Heavenly Father's care, now, and for eternity.

Having humility, does not take away the fact that we are special, and have an important contribution in this world. But it does open the door for us to have a right relationship with God, and with others.

It opens the door for us to accomplish more, than our selfish arrogant self, could ever accomplish. GP
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Know It All?

"Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil." (Proverbs 3:7)

There are two directions one can go, in gaining knowledge, and understanding, of the Bible. There is the direction of arrogance, and conceit, and then there is the direction of humility, and fear of the Lord.

To study the Scriptures in order to show a spirit of arrogance, and superiority, is certainly a selfish, and evil approach. To be "wise in our own eyes, is to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. It is placing ourselves as being more authoritative, and more important. "Just look at what I know, just look at what I have obtained, as far as spiritual wisdom. Don't you wish that you could arrive as I have? Don't you wish that you could be comfortable with yourself as I am?"

 The second direction is that of humility, and a fear of the Lord. To say that, 
"I am learning something everyday, and that I am not wiser than anyone else," is the right approach. This is the approach that pleases God.
It is the approach that has the open heart.

The soil of the receptive heart is waiting, and fertile for productivity, and maturity. It leaves an open door, to be able to share the insight from the Word of God, with others. People will be more receptive to someone who is humble, and fears the Word, and will of God; than someone who is arrogant, and is only consumed with themselves.

There is no way that we can know it all, and always be a success at practicing what God calls us to do. So why do we act like it?

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