Re:Verse reading–Philippians 2:1-11 (day three)
“In humility consider others better than yourselves.” Well, that’s not going to happen. Honestly. It should happen. But for many of us—probably for most of us—that is just not something we will do. Think about how heartbreaking that reality is. It can happen, however, if the will of a human being comes under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Consider such great power—that the Holy Spirit can actually teach a man to stand down from the guard tower of his own self-interest. How can such a transformation begin? By making this stark admission to God: I don’t want to think like Christ. This is, in effect, the way people such as Job and Jonah and Peter spoke to the Lord. God will answer such honesty, and you will never be the same if you’ll take his response seriously.
“The Holy Spirit can teach a man to stand down from the guard tower of his own self-interest.” Excellent!
I take humility as a God’s gift and I define it as to consider other people’s interests before my own self interests. We seek to lift up others, not ourselves; and we do not allow for egoism to influence our decisions, actions, behaviors and attitudes without having any concerns for others. We accept personal responsibilities and admit making mistakes when we make mistakes. Blame yourself, not others. Examine self and judge yourself first before judging others. Humility is a great attribute of a servant leader.
In my own understanding, when we are humble, we are free from pride and arrogance. We do self-evaluation often. We know who we truly are, our strengths, weaknesses, our limitations, our knowledge, skills and abilities and know that we are not perfect. Only God is perfect. We must admit the facts that there are people who are better than us in various walks of life. Recognize them and give them credit for who they are and that we can learn from them. Egoism is the enemy of humility!
When we are in Christ and when the Holy Spirit lives in us, we can walk humbly and not in our own perceived strengths. We are comfortable with who we are as God created us and we always consider other people’s interests before our own interests. When we are humble, we will realize that we need God’s help, knowing that we can’t truly succeed in our own strengths. No, we can NEVER succeed without God, without others who have gone before us, and who have walked with and have mentored us along the way. We just have to remember that we can NEVER succeed on our own strengths!!
Yes, in reality, people, as human beings, will be selfish and will allow for their egoism and their selfishness and jealousy to govern their day-to-day life and relationship. But as followers of Christ and in Christ, we were taught to live by the principle, “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”~~Philippians 2:3
I give thanks to God everyday for my talents and gifts, and I give him credit for my personal and professional accomplishments. I give thanks to others who have shared their wisdom and provided advice, guidance, as well as assistance in some ways, and for leading me to be who I have become today. I could NEVER succeed on my own strengths. Jesus Christ gives us some good examples of humility in action. Although he is the son of God, he was gentle and humble. Wherever Jesus went, he showed an unconditional love and tremendous compassion as the healer. He considered his disciples His friends and not servants! He is such a loving and humbled God! I will always follow Him and His examples!
How do you define humility? How do you see yourself? Have you ever acknowledged the fact that there are others who are better than yourself in some aspects of life? I love to learn from you!