No Hype For The Humble

Everywhere we turn, it seems like we’ve lost space for humility in daily life. Our culture fosters the need for self-love, competition, gratification, one ups, show offs, pompous and “look at me” attitudes. I mean, can you blame us for falling into these traps? This culture is EVERYWHERE and is manifesting at a rapid rate.

The world teaches us that in order to obtain status or recognition we must have had to have done something that places us in a higher rank than others. This rank earns us, status, respect, prestige, and disappointment.

Disappointment.

That’s right. The inability to exercise humility will always leave us let down and disappointed. Why? Because when we truly believe we are greater than others, we end up believing in our own self, our own abilities, and thus our own failures. It’s a vicious cycle.

Jesus’ teachings and message was often that of putting others first and laying our life down for others. It’s something our culture believes is weak, and almost always never gets any validation – although this shouldn’t be why we do it. So why did Jesus emphasize humility in His teachings? Scripture tells us,

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourself,” (Philippians 2:3).

And...

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited,” (Romans 12:16).

Jesus often argued with the Pharisees and religious leaders of the day who did not demonstrate the real working love of Christ and who failed to exchange pride for humility.

A sobering question we must always ask ourselves each day is “what is my motive here?” or “what am I try to get out of this situation? Is it pure?” If you are already asking yourselves these things, then you are surly on the path of humility!

Let’s face it folks, pride is seductive. It’s intriguing, invasive, addictive and never keeps us content. Don’t play Russian Roulette to the games it wants to play in your head. If we continue to mirror Christ and the humility He demonstrates to us, we can be sure to fix our eyes on the things that really matter in life and not be distracted by our own selves.

And so, we leave you with this Word,

“A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor,” Proverbs 29:23.