Humble yourselves 1 Peter 5:5-6
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Verse 5 Likewise, you that are younger (and of lesser rank) be subject to the elders, the ministers and spiritual guides of the church, giving due respect and yielding to their counsel, clothe (apron) yourself, all of you, with humility. Wear the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, wear the humble garb with freedom from pride or arrogance toward one another. For God sets himself against the proud, the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful but rather opposes, frustrates, and defeats them.
But God gives grace to the humble therefore humble yourselves. When we put on clothes, they go everywhere our bodies go! Humility is a lifestyle. Our clothes can often make an outward statement of the type of person we are on the inside.
What, would you guess unbelievers would think of a Christian clothed in humility.
Verse 6 Yes, you say, but how, do I put on the garment of humility. Here is how, turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full into his glorious face and his sinless character and then begin to compare yourself with him!
His life – your life
His love – your love
His holiness – your holiness
His power – your power
His forgiveness – your forgiveness
His strength – your strength
His humility – your humility
Then you are beginning to put on the garment of humility.
This whole area of pride vs humility is rooted in the ‘act of comparing’.
Pride arises when we compare others unfavourably with ourselves.
We speak like a Pharisee ‘I thank you Lord I am not like him or her’!
Such pride can destroy fellowships.
What would happen if a church leader says to their team, you are just not in my league?
If you must make comparisons
Start with yourself and Jesus
Consider others more worthy than yourself
Form an honest opinion of your life in the light of Jesus and God`s word.
Remember also that it is the very pride in our own hearts that gets annoyed at pride in others!
I am beginning to slowly learn this lesson.
Watch out for tell-tale signs of pride in everyday life.
Are you too busy to speak to someone?
Are you always late for a meeting because your time is more important than theirs?
Amen
Prayer