Strength in Humility

Selfishness kills the Christ-like Spirit.

Pride destroys everything it touches.

Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.Psalm 138:6

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:1 Peter 5:5-6

God hates pride.

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.Proverbs 6:16-19

We walk with integrity. We do what is right, because it is right.

Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.Romans 13:13

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.James 3:13-16

We are not living for our own reputation, but for the glory of God.

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.1 Corinthians 4:2-4

Humility, love for others and service follows the example of Jesus.

It begins with a new way of thinking.

Humility allows God to do His work through you and for you.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.James 4:10

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:1 Peter 5:5-6

Christlike love begins by valuing others more than you value yourself.

Maturity begins with knowing your role and knowing your place.

But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.Matthew 20:26-28

And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.Luke 14:7-11

Mature Christians are concerned most with the glory of God, while loving and serving others.

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.Romans 15:1-3

Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.1 Corinthians 10:33

Pride wrecks marriages, splits churches and creates tension wherever it goes.

Pride is sometimes hard to identify, but always lurking. Find it and root it out.

Look for opportunities to invest what God has given you into the lives of others.

Begin to look at life for what you can put into it, rather than what you can get out of it.