Key Verse: James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Did you hear about the pastor who wrote a book called Humility and How I Achieved It? When we truly submit to God and adopt a permanent position of humility before him, then we realize this is the best place to be but don’t go around bragging about it! It’s as if James has the words of Jesus from Matthew 23:11-12 in mind:
The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
The life of Jesus serves as a perfect example of humility, and shows us how God uses those who are willing to submit to Him. Paul tells us in Philippians 2:5-11:
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
It may be hard to remain humble, especially when you are in public ministry, but if you don’t, then pride becomes a dangerous enemy to your relationship with God and to other believers.
Pray and Respond:
Reread Philippians 2:5-11, reflecting on the character of Jesus. What stands out to you most about the passage?
In what areas of your life do you find it hard to stay humble? Ask God for humility in those areas, and thank Jesus for being the ultimate example.
