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The Space for Pride is FULL
The Space for Pride is Full
“Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18)
Just when you think pride has reached its limit, more space is made available. People readily express their knowledge, skill, cleverness, confidence, and intelligence without being prompted or coerced. When the interviewers are not asking questions like, “How were you able to do it?” or “What made you think your were going to win?”, the proud feel entitled to let others know what abilities they have apparently no one has ever had or ever will have again.
The air of those who “toot” their own horn is not good aromatherapy. There is no place in our Lord's family for those who think more highly of themselves than they ought. It is the godly and blessed thing to remain lowly minded. Leave the carnal glory to the self-willed. A humble mind is worth striving for and possessing for its own sake. "Blessed are the poor in spirit; For theirs is the kingdom of God." (Matthew 5:3).
Prayerful meditate and apply the following to help you develop better humility skills in the kingdom of the Lord.
Routinely confess your sin to God. (Luke 18:9-14) Our sin is the greatest in. Not someone else’s sin. Have a routine place and time to have self-honest examination. Review your heart and behavior and confess to God your error.
Take wrong patiently. (1 Peter 3:8-17) What a difficult thing. When something is unjust, you want to knock them out. Patiently responding to the unjust accusations and actions of others demonstrates our strength of godly character and provides an opportunity to put on humility.
Accept a lowly place. (Proverbs 25:6,7) If you find yourself wanting to sit at the head table, pride is present. Make your purpose to support others being recognized, rather than yourself. Look for the lowly place. It is easier to accept. Lowliness of mind is a far better way of life than to possess all the honors and glory the presumptuous and arrogant may commend.
Purposely associate with people of lower state than you. (Luke 7:36-39) The Pharisees were critical of Jesus about this often. Socialize with the poor and those of lowly state. Forget status and partiality. Be conscious of those who cannot do for others, especially for you.
Choose to serve, not be served. (Philippians 1:1, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Matthew 23:11) Doing so reduces our focus on our self and builds the kingdom of God instead of the kingdom of ME. Allow your service to cost you time, labor, money, and talent.
Be quick to forgive. (Matthew 18: 21-35) An easily forgiving heart is one of the greatest acts of humility. Mercy means you know a wrong has been done you, and you want to release your right to repay the wrong as soon as possible.
Cultivate a grateful heart. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) The more gratitude oozes from our heart, lips, and actions, the more humble we will be. View what you are able to do with a grateful heart and as a privilege. It is a blessing to be asked to teach a class or preach a sermon. A thankful heart loves to help prepare food for some in need (James 1:27). It is a privilege to take someone to the grocery store or have a private Bible study (Acts 8:26-39).
Treat pride as a condition necessitating an embrace with the cross. (Luke 9:23) It is our nature to be proud. It is God’s nature to bring us to humility. Commit to a life of daily dying to self and living through Christ. It is worth carrying that burden, because it helps us understand how much we need humility…
