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.
In our everyday lives, we often find ourselves caught up in similar concerns. We worry about receiving recognition for our work, about being praised for our efforts. But in doing so, we risk losing sight of what truly matters. We miss the joy and satisfaction that come from humbly serving others and focusing on the greater good.
Let's take a lesson from our scripture readings today and strive to balance pride with humility. Let's take pride in our work and our accomplishments, but let's also remain humble, recognizing that everything we have and everything we achieve is a gift from God. By doing so, we can build stronger relationships, grow in our faith, and find true fulfillment in our lives.
Biblical Examples of Pride and Humility
Let's look at some stories from the Bible that teach us about pride and humility. These stories show us how pride can lead us away from God and how humility brings us closer to Him.
First, think about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They lived in a perfect world, but their pride led them to believe they could be like God by eating the forbidden fruit. This act of pride and disobedience resulted in their expulsion from the Garden and brought sin into the world. Their story shows us how dangerous pride can be when we put our desires above God's commands.
Next, consider Moses. Even though he initially felt inadequate to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, his humility allowed him to rely on God's strength. However, Moses also had moments of pride. When he struck the rock to bring forth water instead of speaking to it as God had commanded, he acted out of pride. This disobedience cost him the chance to enter the Promised Land. Moses’ story reminds us that even faithful people must be careful about pride.
The best example of humility is Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:6-8 tells us that even though Jesus was God, He didn’t use His power for His own benefit. Instead, He humbled Himself, becoming a servant and obeying God to the point of dying on the cross. Jesus’ life was all about humility. He washed His disciples' feet, served the poor and marginalized, and sacrificed Himself for our salvation. Jesus shows us that true greatness comes from humility.
These Bible stories teach us that pride leads to downfall, while humility leads to being lifted up by God. Jesus emphasized this in Luke 14:11: "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." This means that if we try to make ourselves look great, we will be brought low, but if we humble ourselves, God will lift us up.
We can see these lessons in our own lives. Like Adam and Eve, Moses, and many others, we struggle with pride. We often want recognition and to feel more important than others. But these stories remind us to check our pride and embrace humility instead.
When we humble ourselves, we open our hearts to God's guidance and grace. We become more compassionate, understanding, and willing to serve others. Humility helps us recognize our dependence on God and our need for His strength and wisdom.
So, as we reflect on these biblical examples, let’s strive to follow Jesus’ example of humility in our own lives. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of pride and draw closer to God, experiencing His blessings and grace.
Practical Steps to Cultivate Humility:
Now that we've explored the dangers of pride and the benefits of humility through biblical examples, let’s talk about how we can practice humility in our daily lives.
First, it’s important to recognize and accept that we all have limitations. Admitting that we’re not perfect keeps us humble and open to learning and growing. It also helps us appreciate the strengths and contributions of others.
Another way to practice humility is by seeking feedback and listening to others. Be open to what friends, family, or colleagues have to say, even if it’s criticism. This can help us improve and avoid becoming prideful. Remember, feedback is meant to help us grow, not to hurt us.
Serving others is a powerful way to develop humility. Look for chances to help those in need, whether it’s volunteering at a local charity, helping a neighbor, or just being there for a friend. Serving others shifts our focus away from ourselves and reminds us to be compassionate and kind.
Practicing gratitude is also key. Regularly take time to think about the things you are grateful for. This helps us see the blessings in our lives and the help we get from others. Gratitude reminds us that we’re not self-sufficient and that we rely on God’s grace and the support of those around us.
Avoiding comparisons with others is important too. When we compare ourselves to others, it can make us prideful or insecure. Instead, focus on your own journey and personal growth. Celebrate your achievements without feeling the need to compete with others. Everyone has their own unique path.
Admitting mistakes and apologizing is another way to practice humility. When you make a mistake, own up to it and say sorry. This takes humility and shows respect for others, helping to build trust and strengthen relationships.
Lastly, spend time in prayer and reflection. Regularly talking to God and seeking His guidance helps us stay humble. Prayer reminds us of our dependence on God and His wisdom.
By incorporating these practical steps into our daily lives, we can become more humble, avoid the traps of pride, and draw closer to God. This way, we can experience His blessings and grace in our lives.
Conclusion:
As we go forth into the week, let’s remember that the journey of cultivating humility is ongoing. It's not about achieving perfection but about continuously striving to be better and to align ourselves more closely with the teachings of Jesus. Each day, we are presented with countless opportunities to choose humility over pride. Whether it's in our interactions at work, with family, or in our community, we can always choose to lift others up instead of elevating ourselves.
Think about one area in your life where pride often takes over. Is it at work, where you seek recognition and praise? Is it at home, where you feel the need to be right all the time? Or is it in your relationships, where you struggle to admit when you’re wrong? This week, focus on that area and make a conscious effort to practice humility.
Consider how you can serve others in your daily routine. It doesn't have to be grand gestures—simple acts of kindness can make a big difference. Maybe it’s lending a hand to a coworker, listening without interrupting, or being patient with someone who frustrates you. Remember, true humility is about seeing others through God’s eyes and valuing them as He does.
Also, spend time each day in gratitude and prayer. Reflect on the blessings in your life and acknowledge the ways God has worked through you and those around you. Let your prayers be filled with thanks and ask God to help you grow in humility.
In the end, humility is not about thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. It’s about putting God and others first, trusting that by doing so, we are following the path that Jesus laid out for us. As we strive to live humbly, we will find that our relationships deepen, our faith strengthens, and our lives become more fulfilling.
So, as you leave here today, carry this challenge with you: How can you embody the humility of Christ in your life this week? How can you serve others and draw closer to God? Reflect on these questions and let them guide your actions. May we all strive to live with humility, letting God’s grace shine through us in everything we do. Amen
