Embracing Humility: Walking In The Footsteps Of Christ

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV): "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Proverbs 16:18-19 "18 Pride comes before disaster, and arrogance before a fall. 19 Better to be humble with the needy than to divide plunder with the proud."

Good morning, everyone. Today, we’re going to delve into a topic that many of us have wrestled with throughout our lives: pride. Growing up, I was taught to take pride in everything I did. Whether it was on the sports field or in the classroom, the message was clear: be proud of your achievements, do things right the first time, and take pride in your work. Coaches and teachers instilled in us that pride was a sign of strength and capability.

Many of you can probably relate. As men, we’re often taught to stand up straight, shake hands with a firm grip, and make eye contact. We’re encouraged to show confidence and pride in ourselves and our work. But there’s a delicate balance to be struck. If we’re too prideful, we’re seen as arrogant, vain, and self-centered. Our challenge is to be proud of our accomplishments without crossing the line into arrogance.

Our scripture readings today confront this balance head-on, telling us that our pride can be our downfall. The King James Bible uses the word "pride," while the Common English Bible translates it as "arrogance." These words complement each other well, highlighting the tension we face in our daily lives. We strive to take pride in what we do, yet we must guard against the sin of arrogance.

Personally, pride and arrogance are terms that have been used to describe me by those who don't know me well. Growing up, pride was drilled into us, and standing before a pulpit or a microphone long enough can certainly humble anyone. It’s never easy, but it’s essential. Being open to criticism helps us grow, both as pastors and as individuals.

We are inherently prideful people, proud of our names, backgrounds, schools, and affiliations. But we must work towards humility, putting others before ourselves.

Today, I invite you to reflect on the balance between pride and humility in your own lives as we explore this theme through the lens of our faith.

Pride and Humility in Daily Life:

Growing up, many of us were taught to take pride in our accomplishments and to do things right the first time. This is especially true in competitive settings like sports teams and schools, where excelling and being proud of our achievements were seen as signs of strength and reliability. Actions like standing up straight, shaking hands with a firm grip, and making eye contact were ways we demonstrated our pride and confidence.

But as we strive to show pride in our work and in ourselves, we must be careful not to cross the line into arrogance. The Bible warns us about this. In the King James version, the word "pride" is used, while the Common English Bible uses "arrogance." Both words highlight the same issue: when pride becomes excessive, it leads us into sin.

This distinction is important. Pride, when kept in check, can motivate us to do our best and strive for excellence. However, when pride turns into arrogance, it can isolate us from others and from God. Arrogance makes us believe that we are better than those around us, and it blinds us to our own faults and weaknesses.

Reflecting on my own experiences, I can see how pride has shaped me. There have been times when I've been described as prideful or arrogant by those who don't know me well. This perception often stems from the way I was raised and the values instilled in me. But over time, standing before a congregation, I've learned the importance of humility. Listening to feedback and being open to criticism has helped me grow as a pastor and as a person.

We all have a natural inclination towards pride. We take pride in our names, our backgrounds, our schools, and our achievements. But we must remember to balance this pride with humility. It's easy to get caught up in the desire for recognition and praise, but true fulfillment comes from serving others and putting their needs before our own.

Consider a common scenario: planning a wedding. When my spouse and I were organizing our wedding reception, we spent so much time worrying about who would sit where. We stressed over seating arrangements, thinking about who would be closest to us and who might feel slighted. Twelve years later, I don’t remember where anyone sat. What I do remember is the joy and the presence of loved ones. The details we obsessed over were ultimately unimportant compared to the bigger picture of celebrating our union with family and friends.