Staying Humble in a Pride-filled World

Jesus was the humblest man who ever lived. He always did what his Father wanted. He put others ahead of himself. He could have claimed all his authority as God’s Son and the chosen Messiah to flaunt his power and make a grand show in the world. But God did not call him to do that. Nor has he called us to be egotistical. We are not self-centered, but God-centered. And therefore, like our Lord and Savior, we are service minded.

Pride is one of the Devil’s trickiest devices. Jesus did not fall for this subtle trap.

Matthew 4:8-11:
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Satan offered Jesus all the power of worldly kingdoms and the prideful glory that came with it. Jesus kept his priorities: God is first. The adversary will offer many substitutes for our allegiance to our heavenly Father. When we boldly stand against these prideful attacks by speaking God’s Word, we will back down our enemy and he will have to flee.  Jesus taught James and his beloved disciple Peter this.

James 4:7:
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

I Peter 5:6-11:
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus read and studied all the Old Testament scriptures to fulfill them and bring in a greater covenant. Through the cross, we have salvation and wholeness in Christ. Here is something our savior read and lived.

Micah 6:8:
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

God’s basic requirement is that we do justly, we give our all to love Him and others as we obey the scriptures. Next, we are to love mercy. We will make mistakes, and we should deeply appreciate God’s forgiveness and mercy in those times of need. And what is third? We are to walk humbly with our God. Jesus showed us how.

Philippians 2:5-11:
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

We can humbly go to our Father and ask for His help as we put on the same mind that Jesus Christ had when he lived on this earth. He had all of God’s privileges given to him as the Messiah. But he did not think he should “show off” by promoting himself. He took on a life of service and humbled himself to do whatever our Father wanted him to do. Even dying a horrible and excruciating death on the cross. But God faithfully raised His Son from the dead. And today we have true spiritual life through him.

We live in a pride-filled world. Everything seems to be about “selfies” and my friends, my habits, my stuff. Jesus didn’t live that way and neither should we. Let’s put on the same thoughts that Jesus had, and reject the Devil’s dangling bait of pride and self-service. Let’s do our utmost to walk by the spirit and the written word of God to carry out the Father’s will. Jesus showed us how and he will help us today.

Hebrews 4:15,16:
For we have not an high priest [Jesus Christ] which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Here is a poem that I wrote to help us see how important it is to be humble.

That’s the Time We Should Be Humble

God bless you and keep you and continue to shine upon you with His matchless grace that is only available, and all available through our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.