Humility
Humility
Do you recall a parent or other authoritarian figure caution you about being proud, boastful, thinking too highly of yourself, or too big for your britches? You get the picture!
In our daily lives we balance being humble while at the same time needing to stand up for oneself. This includes bullying situations, job interviews, and a variety of everyday conflicts.
As recorded in the Bible, Jesus gives us an account of two men representing humility and arrogance.
A proud person prays to God in the house of worship and wants to make sure God knows what a great person he is! He boasts, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.”
The other person, a tax collector, humbly represents himself to God. His head hung low, beats his chest and simply, but honestly requests, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” Surely this man could have listed some positive qualities he possesses. Why the different approach? Jesus ends this teaching session declaring, “I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
Do you recall a parent or other authoritarian figure caution you about being proud, boastful, thinking too highly of yourself, or too big for your britches? You get the picture!
In our daily lives we balance being humble while at the same time needing to stand up for oneself. This includes bullying situations, job interviews, and a variety of everyday conflicts.
As recorded in the Bible, Jesus gives us an account of two men representing humility and arrogance.
A proud person prays to God in the house of worship and wants to make sure God knows what a great person he is! He boasts, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.”
The other person, a tax collector, humbly represents himself to God. His head hung low, beats his chest and simply, but honestly requests, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” Surely this man could have listed some positive qualities he possesses. Why the different approach? Jesus ends this teaching session declaring, “I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
What’s your initial reaction to the proud person in the story? Can you relate? What might be current-day illustrations of the kinds of people the man was putting down?
The Bible guides us, “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:8-15
The Bible guides us, “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:8-15
How often in life do we feel like we need to stand on step stool and yell, “Hey, pay attention to me! I’m important! Don’t ignore me!” We are important to God, and to the purpose and work He has prepared for us.
Who do you know the exemplifies humility (if you answer “me”, you’re missing the point!)? How can one approach life in humility without getting trampled on in our “me-first” world? Consider this description of the qualities a Christ follower is instilled with for approaching life: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Galatians 5:22
Who do you know the exemplifies humility (if you answer “me”, you’re missing the point!)? How can one approach life in humility without getting trampled on in our “me-first” world? Consider this description of the qualities a Christ follower is instilled with for approaching life: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Galatians 5:22
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