A Heart of Humility: Putting Others First
Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT): “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
Introduction: The Call to Humility
Today, we are considering the powerful and life-transforming message from the book of Philippians. The apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians speaks directly to our hearts and minds about living as followers of Christ in a way that reflects His love and humility. In particular, Philippians 2:3-4 calls us to a radical shift in how we view ourselves and others: to set aside selfish ambition and embrace a humble, Christlike mindset.
Humility is one of the most misunderstood and undervalued virtues in our world today. Yet, for the believer, it is a cornerstone of living in unity and harmony with others, reflecting the very nature of Christ Himself. Let’s unpack these verses and understand how God calls us to live out true humility.
1. Don’t Be Selfish: The Challenge of Self-Denial
Our first command from Philippians 2:3 (NLT) is this: “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others.”
Selfishness comes naturally to us, doesn’t it? We live in a culture that teaches us to “look out for number one.” But Paul challenges us to reject selfishness. The Greek word used here for "selfishness" is eritheia, which refers to self-seeking rivalry or ambition. It’s the same word Paul uses in Galatians 5:20 to describe the sinful desires of the flesh.
Paul is writing to the church at Philippi, urging them to live in unity and humility. The church was experiencing internal strife, and Paul knew that the key to resolving these conflicts was self-denial and love for others. The problem of selfish ambition didn’t just affect the Philippians—it affects all of us. Left unchecked, selfishness destroys relationships and unity within the body of Christ.
In your life, are there areas where selfishness has taken root? It’s easy to focus on our desires, our wants, our plans. But Paul’s call is clear: We must put others first. Self-denial doesn’t mean thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less.
Romans 12:10 (NLT): “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other.”
We are called to love in such a way that we elevate others, taking delight in their success and well-being.
Think about a team of rowers in a boat. If each rower selfishly focuses on rowing at their own pace, the boat will go in circles, and they won’t get anywhere. But when they row in unison, with each person putting in the effort for the sake of the others, they move swiftly toward their destination. Selflessness moves us forward in unity, while selfishness keeps us stuck in conflict.
As C.S. Lewis once said, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” Our goal is not to degrade ourselves but to elevate others in love.
2. Be Humble: Thinking of Others as Better Than Yourselves
The second part of verse 3 is perhaps even more challenging. Paul writes, “Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” The Greek word for “humble” here is tapeinophrosyne, which means having a modest view of oneself, not in a self-deprecating way, but in recognising that we are all equal in the eyes of God.
Humility, as Paul describes it, is the opposite of pride. It’s not about thinking that we are worthless, but rather about lifting others up and recognising their value and worth. In a society that often glorifies pride and self-promotion, Paul calls us to adopt the mindset of Christ, who humbled Himself even to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). Christ, the Son of God, showed us the ultimate example of humility.
How can we practically live out this humility? It starts with our relationships. Are we willing to set aside our own desires, preferences, and pride for the sake of others? Are we quick to serve others without seeking recognition or reward?
Ephesians 4:2 (NLT): “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”
Humility requires gentleness and patience. It’s about giving others grace, just as we have received grace from God.
Think of a mentor who invests time and energy into teaching someone younger or less experienced. The mentor doesn’t do this to elevate their own reputation, but out of a genuine desire to see the other person succeed. Humility is about lifting others up, not pushing ourselves forward.
As Andrew Murray wisely stated, "Humility is nothing but the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all."
3. Look Out for the Interests of Others: A Christlike Mindset
Finally, in Philippians 2:4 (NLT), Paul writes, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” This verse calls us to actively care about the needs of others. The phrase "look out" here comes from the Greek word skopeo, which means to pay close attention to, to fix one's gaze on. In other words, we are called to focus on others' needs with intentionality.
Paul is calling us to live in a way that mirrors the life of Jesus. Jesus always put others first, whether it was healing the sick, feeding the hungry, or ultimately sacrificing His life on the cross. His concern was never for His own comfort but for the salvation and well-being of others.
In a world that tells us to focus on ourselves, Christ teaches us to focus on others. This isn’t just about doing occasional good deeds; it’s about cultivating a lifestyle of serving others, being genuinely concerned for their welfare.
What would it look like for you to truly take an interest in others? It might mean offering a listening ear to a friend in need, stepping in to help someone in a practical way, or even advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves. This kind of love and concern for others reflects the very heart of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 (NLT): “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”
We fulfill the law of Christ—His command to love one another—when we bear one another’s burdens. This is the essence of taking an interest in others.
Imagine a community where everyone is looking out for each other. Needs are met, burdens are shared, and no one is left to struggle alone. This is the picture of the church that Paul is calling us to—a community that reflects the love and humility of Christ in every interaction.
Timothy Keller once said, “A humble person is not one who thinks less of himself but one who thinks of himself less and focuses on the needs of others more.”
Conclusion: A Life Transformed by Humility
As we close today, I want to challenge each of us to consider how we can live out the call to humility in our daily lives. Paul’s words in Philippians 2:3-4 are not just good advice—they are a divine command that reflects the very heart of Jesus.
We are called to:
Reject selfishness and self-promotion.
Embrace humility by thinking of others as better than ourselves.
Actively seek out the interests of others, following the example of Christ.
Call to Action: Embrace the Mindset of Christ
Let us leave this place today with a renewed commitment to humility. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where selfishness and pride may have crept in, and seek His help in cultivating a heart that reflects the humility of Christ. This is not something we can achieve in our own strength—but through the power of God working in us, we can become a people who truly live out the words of Philippians 2:3-4.
And for those of you here who may not know Jesus as Lord and Saviour, I invite you today to come to Him. There is no greater act of humility than recognising our need for Him. Jesus humbled Himself for you, dying on the cross so that you could be forgiven and set free. Will you surrender to Him today, and allow Him to transform your heart and life?
