- Pride is one vice that no one on this planet is free of. C.S Lewis said, "There is no fault which we are more unconscious of in ourselves, and the more we have it in ourselves, the more we dislike it in others."
- We should seek humility instead of just freedom from pride. Our concern should not be focused on getting rid of something, but on a more positive attitude of yielding to the Lord Jesus so that He can make us like Himself. It is far better to say yes to Jesus than to say no to sin.
The Importance of Humility
- Humility is the soil in which all other Fruit of the Spirit can grow.
- Consider the importance God's Word puts on humility: Matthew 18:4, Psalm 149:4, Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6
What Humility Is Not
- Humility is not a form of self-hatred. We know that God created us and His intention is that we grow to be like Him. Therefore we are deeply dependent on Him and alive to His love and grace. We should know that we have been forgiven by God and transformed by His grace.
- Humility is not pretending we cannot do something that in reality we are trained or gifted to do. Nor is it a low estimate of our spiritual gifts and natural abilities.
- Humility must be made the object of special desire and prayer.
- Humility before God is nothing if it is not proven before others.
- James 4:10
What Humility Is
- First of all, it is dependence on God. Dependence that is the fruit of humility is an attitude that comes from our relationship with God.
- Humility is a longing in the heart for a deep relationship with God
- Humility is release from hiding and pretending. Humility is a willingness to be known for who we really are. However, we too must exercise discretion.
- Honesty about our shortcomings should become a way of life. Straightforward admission of our needs, problems and shortcomings allows us to be free from the deceit of pride.
Cultivating Humility
- All Christians who take their commitment to Christ seriously recognise the great need to cultivate this virtue
- In the Bible, Paul makes it clear in his writings that humility is to affect every area of our life. Eph 4:2-3, Phil 2:3-4, Col 3:12-14
- As we humble ourselves in response to the dealings of the Holy Spirit, God promises to give us more grace
Focusing On The Lord
- We either choose to live for ourselves or for the Lord. By choosing to focus on the Lord we are freed from preoccupation with ourselves.
Serving Others
- To be great in the kingdom of God is to be the servant of all.
- Jesus came as a servant (Phil 2:7). Therefore we should come as a servant as well.
- Nothing more clearly reveals the motives of the heart than how we react when asked to serve others.
- True spirituality does not depend on any title or status given, but depends on the willingness to serve the Lord through serving others.
Learning From Others
- Pride causes us to have a very narrow perspective in life. We do not recognise the need to learn from others. Humility, by contrast, realises there is something of value to be learnt from everyone.
Encouraging Others
- Giving encouragement is an easy and painless way to develop humility. It also changes our perspective on other people.
- Encouraging others constantly lets us search for their good points and lay aside criticism and comparison. Pride on the other hand focuses on jealousy, mistrust and contempt.
Trusting Others
- A humble person gives others the same love and trust God has given that person
- Grace and not performance should be the basis of trust that we put in others
Laying Down Our Rights
- Forgive our accusers, bless those who persecute you
Admitting Our Needs & Weaknesses
- Ironically, the key to victory in the Christian life is found in learning how to handle failure.
- A proud man covers his weaknesses while the humble man admits them. Admitting our weaknesses, especially feelings of inferiority, is one of the surest ways to overcome our insecurities.
- Sometimes an inferiority complex is only pride. We can never have real humility while being preoccupied with oneself.
Seeing Ourselves as Others See Us
- Choose to be known for who you are.
- Regularly confess your weaknesses, temptations and sins and ask God for His forgiveness
- Humility is the result of Godly living.
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