Passage of the Day: Reading Plan Reference – Day 3 … Genesis, Chapter 8 – 11 … Study Scripture Reference: Genesis 11: 1-8 NIV … 1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.2 As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.
3 They said to each other, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar.4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building.6 The Lord said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."
8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city.9 That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
My Journal for Today: It’s DAY 3 of my chronological journey through the Bible; and I’m getting into God’s dealings with His sin-ridden children as they came out of the big flood with God imparting His covenant with Noah. But as we read in Chapters 8 – 11 of Genesis, God’s people, the ones remaining after the cleansing flood, reverted to their sinful and prideful ways; and God had to use another vehicle to bring mankind into submission; and to do this, as we read in today’s passage above from Genesis, chapter 11, God used the vehicle of verbal communication to humble mankind and prevent them from getting too prideful.
As mankind came out of the tower-building episode in Babel, God scattered His children all over the world, causing them to speak in varied and regionalized tongues. And being a speech pathologist during most of my adult, income-producing life, I’ve always been intrigued by God’s strategy to humble mankind, choosing to keep the various tribes and people groupings separated as much by language differences or through communication barriers as through geographic differences.
When we look at any human difficulty in interaction, where is usually the heart of the brokenness? It’s poor communication, isn’t it? The number one force which breaks up marriages is communication difficulties. … When people try to settle their differences in court, what is the vehicle of advocacy by the lawyers? It’s verbal communication. … When there are fighting wars between peoples, why do they use bombs to communicate? It’s because they can’t communicate with words. … And when we have difficulty interacting with any of our friends, let alone our enemies, what is the primary reason? Well, it’s our prideful use of words which creates a barrier of brokenness in our relationships.
ALWAYS, when relationships between individuals, institutions, and/or countries are broken down, it is a brokenness and pridefulness of verbal communication that has been at the heart of the brokenness; and it will only be through a humbling of the words which will heal the brokenness or bring a repair of the interaction between God’s people. And I believe that is why the Apostle Paul wrote, when he was trying to get God’s church in Ephesus to heal the brokenness which had erupted in that church, WORDS of exhortation about how man should use verbal communication. He wrote the following God-inspired verbal directive concerning verbal communication.
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Ephesians 4: 29 … Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
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We humans, just like those who were scattered from Babel, have this incurable disorder of pridefulness to deal with in interacting with one another. And when pride expresses itself, it is almost always is done through the vehicle of verbal communication, which either exacerbates the interaction distances or exercises healing in bringing peoples back together. God has given mankind free will; but only when we freely find and use Godly, humble words to communication will we, as God’s children, be able to express God’s love to one another.
When you read Paul’s exhortation from Eph. 4: 29 above – from God using HIS WORDS to us – what does it simply and clearly say to us about how we should communicate verbally to one another? … Well, to me it says, … If I communicate with you, I NEVER should use words which are disruptive or words of mal-intent. Instead I MUST use words which either build you up or give you grace – God’s grace. In other WORDS, … if it doesn’t edify you or express God’s loving grace to you, I should not say it! Because if I do, I’m only babbling (interesting term in that communication difficulties resulted from pridefulness in “Babel”) selfish pridefulness, which will always bring brokenness to relationships.
So, today, DAY 3, of my trek chronologically through God’s word, He used HIS WORD to say to me that MY WORDS are important … and that I must humbly seek to use them to edify others and to communicate God’s grace into my interaction with others.
May we all take heed to God’s word about our words.
My Prayer Today: Lord, help me use my words to reflect Your Word. … Amen
Showing posts with label pride versus humility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pride versus humility. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Saturday, December 10, 2011
December 10, 2011 … The Humility of Christ
Passage of the Day: Philippians 2: 8b [ NIV - see highlight passage in bold/underlined] … 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!
My Journal for Today: As Christians, all of us aspire to grow in Christlikeness. In the Phil. 2 passage from which we’ve been studying this month, verse 5 says that our attitudes as Christians should be the same as that of our Lord. So, as individuals, and collectively as the Body of Christ, we should be doing all we can to capture and live with the attitude of Christ. And here in this wondrous passage, the Apostle Paul tells believers that the #1 attitude to which we ought to aspire is that of HUMILITY; and I’m here to tell you that this is one of the toughest lessons I have to learn as a disciple of our Lord.
You may already know that humility, along with meekness, are the only two adjectives Jesus ever used to describe Himself (see Matt. 11: 29); and we learn from passages like 1st Peter 5: 6 and James 4: 6, as well as Prov. 3: 34, that God honors humility by pouring His grace into those who humble themselves in obedience to God or His word. However, when it comes to the Phil. 2: 8 comparison test, all too often I come up short with my ego exhibiting pride, falling way short of the humility modeled so perfectly by my Savior.
And what a model of humility we have in Jesus, especially as He fulfilled all of the Old Testament prophesies concerning His passion and death on the cross. He was totally humbled to the will of His Father by dying on “the tree,” the most ignominious and humiliating form of capital punishment ever devised by man, and one which was hated by the Jews (see Deut. 21: 22 - 23). During all of His unjust trials before His crucifixion, He spoke not a word; and we see our Lord totally surrendered to the will of His Heavenly Father … that He be would become the Lamb of God to save ME! Me, of all people; but that was our Lord’s humble mission in life, … to serve me, and you, and all who would receive His humble and graceful act of atonement … that we might have eternal life. Is that not THE model of humility?
And now, in His word, I read from the inspiration of His Spirit, that I am to have His humility (again Phil. 2: 5); and Christ’s own words from Luke 9: 23 with regard to discipleship ring in my heart/mind as well … that I am to deny my self … and follow Him. So, the lessons of life in this regard continue; and I will enter my thoughts here today, doing all I can to humble myself to my Lord and to others. It’s a daunting task; but it is one I must learn and live.
So, I (we) move on … and there’s more to come. Yes, you’re getting it by now; … stay tuned!
My Prayer Today: It is my humble prayer, Lord. Again I pray, Lord, help me to be humble! Amen
My Journal for Today: As Christians, all of us aspire to grow in Christlikeness. In the Phil. 2 passage from which we’ve been studying this month, verse 5 says that our attitudes as Christians should be the same as that of our Lord. So, as individuals, and collectively as the Body of Christ, we should be doing all we can to capture and live with the attitude of Christ. And here in this wondrous passage, the Apostle Paul tells believers that the #1 attitude to which we ought to aspire is that of HUMILITY; and I’m here to tell you that this is one of the toughest lessons I have to learn as a disciple of our Lord.
You may already know that humility, along with meekness, are the only two adjectives Jesus ever used to describe Himself (see Matt. 11: 29); and we learn from passages like 1st Peter 5: 6 and James 4: 6, as well as Prov. 3: 34, that God honors humility by pouring His grace into those who humble themselves in obedience to God or His word. However, when it comes to the Phil. 2: 8 comparison test, all too often I come up short with my ego exhibiting pride, falling way short of the humility modeled so perfectly by my Savior.
And what a model of humility we have in Jesus, especially as He fulfilled all of the Old Testament prophesies concerning His passion and death on the cross. He was totally humbled to the will of His Father by dying on “the tree,” the most ignominious and humiliating form of capital punishment ever devised by man, and one which was hated by the Jews (see Deut. 21: 22 - 23). During all of His unjust trials before His crucifixion, He spoke not a word; and we see our Lord totally surrendered to the will of His Heavenly Father … that He be would become the Lamb of God to save ME! Me, of all people; but that was our Lord’s humble mission in life, … to serve me, and you, and all who would receive His humble and graceful act of atonement … that we might have eternal life. Is that not THE model of humility?
And now, in His word, I read from the inspiration of His Spirit, that I am to have His humility (again Phil. 2: 5); and Christ’s own words from Luke 9: 23 with regard to discipleship ring in my heart/mind as well … that I am to deny my self … and follow Him. So, the lessons of life in this regard continue; and I will enter my thoughts here today, doing all I can to humble myself to my Lord and to others. It’s a daunting task; but it is one I must learn and live.
So, I (we) move on … and there’s more to come. Yes, you’re getting it by now; … stay tuned!
My Prayer Today: It is my humble prayer, Lord. Again I pray, Lord, help me to be humble! Amen
Friday, November 11, 2011
November 11, 2011 … Being Honest – Also Wise
Passage of the Day: James 3: 14 [highlight verse in bold/underlined] … 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
My Journal for Today: Yesterday I ended my devotional journal entry with a challenge to any reader who is serious in his relationship with Christ [but mostly the challenge was for myself!]. I asked us to do an inventory of our attitudes to see if we truly seek to know God, a goal which I would assume is shared by every Christian. John MacArthur in his Strength for Today entry for this date has a similar charge, comparing James 3: 13 with verse 3: 14 and asking believers to be honest in their hearts about how much we would want to know our God.
In seeking to know the mind of God, we must probe more deeply to determine whether our pursuit of wisdom has self-centered motives; or are we “other-motivated” in our life search for understanding, knowledge, and insight into God’s word [the Holy sanctuary of God’s will]. In light of James’ questions in James 3: 13, MacArthur writes, “Humility is the hallmark of the wise person.” And from my past studies, I know, as I hope readers do as well, that humility is the key to God’s grace (see James 4: 6 or 1st Peter 5: 5 – 6).
One of the endowments of God’s enabling grace is insight into Himself. So, when a believer humbly comes to God, usually digging into His Holy Word [remember the word picture of Job 28 - i.e., mining deeply for wisdom], God is most willing to pour out His wisdom to that expectant believer. That is the promise of James 1: 5 – 6, a promise which comes from God to believers from His own word. However, you’re not going to find that grace-empowered wisdom being dealt out to those who are motivated by pride, bitter jealousy, or selfish ambition, … nor those who brag about their achievements.
No, such a person is living a lie from hell which stands against the truth of the Gospel. Seeing such a person, one would really have to wonder if he were saved at all or if he were a Christian fool, severely out of fellowship with his Savior; … and most certainly one who is out of line with God’s will.
Therefore, once again I challenge us all to take stock and see if we are pursuing God’s mind with the humility which marks a sincere and serious Christian seeker to know His Lord and Savior.
My Prayer Today: Humbly, Lord, I pray to know You and to share Your truths with others. Amen
My Journal for Today: Yesterday I ended my devotional journal entry with a challenge to any reader who is serious in his relationship with Christ [but mostly the challenge was for myself!]. I asked us to do an inventory of our attitudes to see if we truly seek to know God, a goal which I would assume is shared by every Christian. John MacArthur in his Strength for Today entry for this date has a similar charge, comparing James 3: 13 with verse 3: 14 and asking believers to be honest in their hearts about how much we would want to know our God.
In seeking to know the mind of God, we must probe more deeply to determine whether our pursuit of wisdom has self-centered motives; or are we “other-motivated” in our life search for understanding, knowledge, and insight into God’s word [the Holy sanctuary of God’s will]. In light of James’ questions in James 3: 13, MacArthur writes, “Humility is the hallmark of the wise person.” And from my past studies, I know, as I hope readers do as well, that humility is the key to God’s grace (see James 4: 6 or 1st Peter 5: 5 – 6).
One of the endowments of God’s enabling grace is insight into Himself. So, when a believer humbly comes to God, usually digging into His Holy Word [remember the word picture of Job 28 - i.e., mining deeply for wisdom], God is most willing to pour out His wisdom to that expectant believer. That is the promise of James 1: 5 – 6, a promise which comes from God to believers from His own word. However, you’re not going to find that grace-empowered wisdom being dealt out to those who are motivated by pride, bitter jealousy, or selfish ambition, … nor those who brag about their achievements.
No, such a person is living a lie from hell which stands against the truth of the Gospel. Seeing such a person, one would really have to wonder if he were saved at all or if he were a Christian fool, severely out of fellowship with his Savior; … and most certainly one who is out of line with God’s will.
Therefore, once again I challenge us all to take stock and see if we are pursuing God’s mind with the humility which marks a sincere and serious Christian seeker to know His Lord and Savior.
My Prayer Today: Humbly, Lord, I pray to know You and to share Your truths with others. Amen
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
June 15, 2011 … Integrity Walks In Humility
Passage of the Day: Daniel 3: 13 – 15 … 13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"
My Journal for Today: Nebuchadnezzar had to learn a hard lesson … the hard way. It was the lesson of Proverbs 3: 34 (repeated in James 4: 6 and 1st Pet. 5: 6) … that God ignores or rejects the proud and only gives His grace (i.e., unmerited favor) to the humble. In today’s passage (Dan. 3: 15), we read how the King’s prideful attitude toward the God of the Hebrews had gone from recognizing the greatness of the God these Hebrew boys worshipped (see Dan. 2: 47) to a prideful/haughty declaration, putting himself above the power of the one true God. His attitude was a human picture of Satan’s declaration that he was greater than God [see Isaiah 14: 13 -14].
But Proverbs 16: 5 declares that anyone with such pride in the face of God will not go unpunished; and if one reads ahead in Chapter 4 of the book of Daniel [linked here in case you want to study it], we read a letter written by Nebuchadnezzar telling of how God brought him down so completely that he, the king of Babylon, could see the greatness of the God to Whom these four Hebrew lads so humbly and faithfully worhipped.
This teaches us a lesson we all must learn … that Christlike integrity walks only as Christ walked … in humility and meekness (see Matt. 11: 29). And if we, by our choices, cannot humble ourselves before God’s throne of grace, He – our Lord – will have to do it for us; and that can be, as it was for Nebuchadnezzar, a very tough lesson to learn. A meditative re-look at Prov. 3: 34 shows believers that God really wants to pour His grace into the life of His humbled servants. However, He can only do so into lives of humble servants who worship Him faithfully and obediently.
May we be those servants?!
My Prayer Today: Be merciful, Lord, in helping me learn to be humble. Amen
My Journal for Today: Nebuchadnezzar had to learn a hard lesson … the hard way. It was the lesson of Proverbs 3: 34 (repeated in James 4: 6 and 1st Pet. 5: 6) … that God ignores or rejects the proud and only gives His grace (i.e., unmerited favor) to the humble. In today’s passage (Dan. 3: 15), we read how the King’s prideful attitude toward the God of the Hebrews had gone from recognizing the greatness of the God these Hebrew boys worshipped (see Dan. 2: 47) to a prideful/haughty declaration, putting himself above the power of the one true God. His attitude was a human picture of Satan’s declaration that he was greater than God [see Isaiah 14: 13 -14].
But Proverbs 16: 5 declares that anyone with such pride in the face of God will not go unpunished; and if one reads ahead in Chapter 4 of the book of Daniel [linked here in case you want to study it], we read a letter written by Nebuchadnezzar telling of how God brought him down so completely that he, the king of Babylon, could see the greatness of the God to Whom these four Hebrew lads so humbly and faithfully worhipped.
This teaches us a lesson we all must learn … that Christlike integrity walks only as Christ walked … in humility and meekness (see Matt. 11: 29). And if we, by our choices, cannot humble ourselves before God’s throne of grace, He – our Lord – will have to do it for us; and that can be, as it was for Nebuchadnezzar, a very tough lesson to learn. A meditative re-look at Prov. 3: 34 shows believers that God really wants to pour His grace into the life of His humbled servants. However, He can only do so into lives of humble servants who worship Him faithfully and obediently.
May we be those servants?!
My Prayer Today: Be merciful, Lord, in helping me learn to be humble. Amen
Saturday, March 26, 2011
March 26, 2011 … Another Enemy of Humility: The Power Play
Passage of the Day: Matthew 20: 20 – 21 - 20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of Him. 21"What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in Your kingdom."
My Journal for Today: If we are seeking Christlike humility, avoiding any natural tendency toward pridefulness, we must combat what John MacArthur calls “the enemies of humility” [see Strength for Today for this date]. Dr. Mac has introduced me (us) to several of these enemies during this month; and today he discusses one of the most common, THE POWER PLAY, which is so clearly illustrated in today’s story from Matthew 20.
We selfish humans – and yes, that includes Christians, unfortunately – often try to take advantage of any set of circumstances that would give us an advantage of control, influence, and/or power. In today’s passage we see it exemplified in James and John, the so-called “Sons of Thunder,” who along with their mother, Salome, the sister of Mary, Jesus’ mom, were vying, with their inside connections, for a heavenly advantage … just in case their cousin, Jesus, truly turned out to the real-deal Messiah.
The power-play of these three clearly pictures any manipulation in our lives to take control in the world and gain a human advantage, especially involving influence. And we must admit it; … any such POWER PLAY is made from only one motive; and that is selfishness. And selfishness is birthed from the oldest pattern of sin on record, which is pride, … the mother of all sin.
As Christians we must learn to see that we don’t need any earthly or worldly advantage. We have Christ [!]; and in Him we have everything we need in this life [see 2nd Peter 1: 3 – 4; 2nd Cor. 12: 9 below; and also Rom. 8: 31; and Phil. 4: 13] …
SCRIPTURE:: 2Pet. 1: 3 – 4 ... 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 4 Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
SCRIPTURE:: 2Cor. 12: 9 [Paul to the Church] ... But He [Christ] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
As a fellow Christian, my friend, we’ve got it all, in this life and in the next (see also John 3: 16 and Phil. 4: 19); so we don’t need to be involving ourselves in selfish power plays for some advantage here in this sojourn of life. Therefore, may our power and living worship rely only on Christ for all the advantage we would ever need.
My Prayer Today: You are everything, Lord! Amen
My Journal for Today: If we are seeking Christlike humility, avoiding any natural tendency toward pridefulness, we must combat what John MacArthur calls “the enemies of humility” [see Strength for Today for this date]. Dr. Mac has introduced me (us) to several of these enemies during this month; and today he discusses one of the most common, THE POWER PLAY, which is so clearly illustrated in today’s story from Matthew 20.
We selfish humans – and yes, that includes Christians, unfortunately – often try to take advantage of any set of circumstances that would give us an advantage of control, influence, and/or power. In today’s passage we see it exemplified in James and John, the so-called “Sons of Thunder,” who along with their mother, Salome, the sister of Mary, Jesus’ mom, were vying, with their inside connections, for a heavenly advantage … just in case their cousin, Jesus, truly turned out to the real-deal Messiah.
The power-play of these three clearly pictures any manipulation in our lives to take control in the world and gain a human advantage, especially involving influence. And we must admit it; … any such POWER PLAY is made from only one motive; and that is selfishness. And selfishness is birthed from the oldest pattern of sin on record, which is pride, … the mother of all sin.
As Christians we must learn to see that we don’t need any earthly or worldly advantage. We have Christ [!]; and in Him we have everything we need in this life [see 2nd Peter 1: 3 – 4; 2nd Cor. 12: 9 below; and also Rom. 8: 31; and Phil. 4: 13] …
SCRIPTURE:: 2Pet. 1: 3 – 4 ... 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 4 Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
SCRIPTURE:: 2Cor. 12: 9 [Paul to the Church] ... But He [Christ] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
As a fellow Christian, my friend, we’ve got it all, in this life and in the next (see also John 3: 16 and Phil. 4: 19); so we don’t need to be involving ourselves in selfish power plays for some advantage here in this sojourn of life. Therefore, may our power and living worship rely only on Christ for all the advantage we would ever need.
My Prayer Today: You are everything, Lord! Amen
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
March 16, 2011 … Threats to Humility: Doctrine and Hypocrisy
Passage of the Day: Ephesians 4: 1 – 2 - ... 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
My Journal for Today: Two powerful issues which often impede or block humility in any believer are intellectual pride and/or hypocrisy. Though it’s possible for anyone who, for whatever reason, feels superior in intellect to another to be wrapped in intellectual pride, this issue is often related to positional pride as well. In the latter, where someone, because of his/her self-perceived intellect or current position, feels more entitled than someone else to be in control or above that other one in some way, will inevitably push that “lower” person aside or downward in position. Who has not been there or felt that? Very few, I would think, have avoided this pitfall of pridefulness.
King Herod was one whose story is available in the New Testament to illustrate this intellectual and/or positional pride; and look what it got him – where we read of this man being eaten by the worms, humbled by God about as much as any person could ever be humbled. We read about it in Acts 12: 19 – 23 … were God took a man down who decided to raise himself above others …
SCRIPTURE: Acts 12: 19-23 … Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king's country for their food supply. 21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man." 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
It has been said … if we will not humble ourselves before God, that He will humble us; and I don’t know about you, but I’ve personally experienced that in my life – more than once; - and it’s no fun! It’s much better to learn from God’s word, life, and the experiences of others and then to choose to be humble before God than for God to have to humble me because of my obstinate intellectual and/or positional pride.
And the final roadblock to being a humble servant of God is the one Jesus hated the most; and that, of course, is hypocrisy … i.e., external spirituality or religiosity without internal holiness. Christ spoke harshly and directly during His ministry time on earth, uncovering hypocrisy in the religious leaders of His day – the Scribes and the Pharisees (see Matt. 23: 27 – 28 below).
SCRIPTURE: Matt. 23: 27 – 28 … "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
Oh, how Satan loves to pour his spiritual gas on the flames of pride in anyone, but especially in the leaders of Christ’s church … the teachers, preachers, pastors, and key workers. If God’s chosen leaders cannot humble themselves before God’s throne of grace, be assured – from personal experience – God will humble that one to the core. God’s mercy is challenged to the ultimate in tolerance to allow the leaders of HIS CHURCH to tarnish the image of HIS BRIDE or God, the Father, in any way with prideful hypocrisy. So, we, who’ve been called into leadership and prepared for God’s purpose as His designated “shepherds,” can expect to be held to a higher standard of humility than those who are the sheep of God’s flock.
However, all Christians need to realize what we’ve focused on these past few days here – that humility is our key; and therefore, as followers of Christ, we need to use the key of surrender and humility to unlock His treasure chest of grace; and personally, I hope you join me in the desire to be there at His throne, waiting with humble expectation for His grace to be poured out in our lives. But this will not happen for you or for any of us if we cannot choose to be humble servants of our Lord.
My Prayer Today: O, Lord, may nothing I do be done in pride. Amen
My Journal for Today: Two powerful issues which often impede or block humility in any believer are intellectual pride and/or hypocrisy. Though it’s possible for anyone who, for whatever reason, feels superior in intellect to another to be wrapped in intellectual pride, this issue is often related to positional pride as well. In the latter, where someone, because of his/her self-perceived intellect or current position, feels more entitled than someone else to be in control or above that other one in some way, will inevitably push that “lower” person aside or downward in position. Who has not been there or felt that? Very few, I would think, have avoided this pitfall of pridefulness.
King Herod was one whose story is available in the New Testament to illustrate this intellectual and/or positional pride; and look what it got him – where we read of this man being eaten by the worms, humbled by God about as much as any person could ever be humbled. We read about it in Acts 12: 19 – 23 … were God took a man down who decided to raise himself above others …
SCRIPTURE: Acts 12: 19-23 … Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king's country for their food supply. 21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man." 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
It has been said … if we will not humble ourselves before God, that He will humble us; and I don’t know about you, but I’ve personally experienced that in my life – more than once; - and it’s no fun! It’s much better to learn from God’s word, life, and the experiences of others and then to choose to be humble before God than for God to have to humble me because of my obstinate intellectual and/or positional pride.
And the final roadblock to being a humble servant of God is the one Jesus hated the most; and that, of course, is hypocrisy … i.e., external spirituality or religiosity without internal holiness. Christ spoke harshly and directly during His ministry time on earth, uncovering hypocrisy in the religious leaders of His day – the Scribes and the Pharisees (see Matt. 23: 27 – 28 below).
SCRIPTURE: Matt. 23: 27 – 28 … "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
Oh, how Satan loves to pour his spiritual gas on the flames of pride in anyone, but especially in the leaders of Christ’s church … the teachers, preachers, pastors, and key workers. If God’s chosen leaders cannot humble themselves before God’s throne of grace, be assured – from personal experience – God will humble that one to the core. God’s mercy is challenged to the ultimate in tolerance to allow the leaders of HIS CHURCH to tarnish the image of HIS BRIDE or God, the Father, in any way with prideful hypocrisy. So, we, who’ve been called into leadership and prepared for God’s purpose as His designated “shepherds,” can expect to be held to a higher standard of humility than those who are the sheep of God’s flock.
However, all Christians need to realize what we’ve focused on these past few days here – that humility is our key; and therefore, as followers of Christ, we need to use the key of surrender and humility to unlock His treasure chest of grace; and personally, I hope you join me in the desire to be there at His throne, waiting with humble expectation for His grace to be poured out in our lives. But this will not happen for you or for any of us if we cannot choose to be humble servants of our Lord.
My Prayer Today: O, Lord, may nothing I do be done in pride. Amen
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