In Philippians 2:3, 5-6 I read, “Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves . . . You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to." (NLT)
The ability to be humble is a relationship builder. Humility is when I honor others above myself, not always demanding or clinging to my rights.
Pride, on the other hand, destroys relationships, and it shows up in a lot of different ways. It can make me critical, judgmental, competitive, stubborn, and unforgiving. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride leads to destruction; a proud attitude brings ruin” (NCV).
Pride is also self-deceiving. When I have a problem with pride, I struggle to see it in my life. But everyone else can see it!
In a relationship, pride looks like I’m always offering advice but never asking for it. It’s also when I can’t admit when I’ve had a tough week. Everybody else is saying, “Yeah, this last week was tough.” But I can’t seem to admit I have any problems.
There are five relationship builders in 1 Peter 3:8: “Live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble” (GW). The first four are really built on the fifth one: Be humble. And it’s an excellent model for relationships.
Humility happens by letting Jesus control my thoughts, heart, attitudes, and reactions. Growing in humility has to include Jesus.
The basic law of relationships is this: I’ll tend to become like the people I spend time with. If I spend time with grumpy people, I’ll get grumpier. If I spend time with happy people, I’ll get happier. If I want to have more humility, spend time with Jesus Christ in prayer and reading his Word. Talk to him. He is humble and wants a relationship with me.
Growing in humility may seem like a tall order, but it’s possible with Jesus. The first step toward humility is to become a relationship builder.
In summary, be humble, thinking of others as better than myself. Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. The ability to be humble is a relationship builder. Humility is when I honor others above myself, not always demanding or clinging to my rights. Pride destroys relationships, and it shows up in a lot of different ways. It can make me critical, judgmental, competitive, stubborn, and unforgiving. Pride is also self-deceiving. I struggle to see it, but everyone else can. In a relationship, pride looks like I’m always offering advice but never asking for it. It’s when I can’t admit when I’ve had a tough week. I can’t seem to admit I have any problems. Five relationship builders in 1 Peter 3:8: “Live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble”. Humility happens by letting Jesus control my thoughts, heart, attitudes, and reactions. Growing in humility has to include Jesus. I’ll tend to become like the people I spend time with. If I spend time with grumpy people, I’ll get grumpier. If I spend time with happy people, I’ll get happier. If I want to have more humility, spend time with Jesus Christ in prayer and reading his Word. Growing in humility may seem like a tall order, but it’s possible with Jesus. The first step toward humility is to become a relationship builder.
Selfishness can ruin relationships, but genuine humility can build it. Being humble involves having a true perspective about myself. I am a sinner, saved only by God's grace, but I am saved and have great worth in God's Kingdom. I am to lay aside selfishness and treat others with respect and common courtesy. Considering others' interests as more important than my own links me with Christ, who was a true example of humility. Paul encourages me to guard against any selfishness, prejudice, or jealousy that might lead to dissension. Showing genuine interest in others is a positive step forward in maintaining unity among believers. Jesus Christ was humble, willing to give up his rights in order to obey God and to serve. I too should have a servant's attitude, serving out of love for God and for others, not out of guilt or fear. I can choose my attitude. I can approach life expecting to be served, or I can look for opportunities to serve others.
Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me.
Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, and doing well and making a difference in my new job. I pray all these things through you Son Jesus’ name, Amen.
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