In a previous post I’ve pointed out the destructive nature of pride in our lives. In this post I want to focus on the first of five ways we can practice humility and kill the pride in our lives.
1. Admit my weaknesses honestly.
When you confess your struggles to another person you’re saying “I don’t have it all together. I need help.” This is the opposite of pride. This is humbling yourself. And here’s the good news for those who do so. Proverbs 28:13 says “A man who refuses to admit his mistakes [because he’s too proud] can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.” LB You can never be successful in overcoming your struggles and temptation on your own – but if you’ll swallow your pride and admit where you’re struggling – God has nothing but grace for the humble.
I remember several years ago a man in our church gave me a call and shared about his struggles with pornography. To me, this was the ultimate act of humility. He swallowed his pride and said “I need some help.” He admitted his weaknesses honestly. Well, the power of sin is in secrecy. He brought that sin into the light and as a result it lost some of it’s power. By the grace of God and online accountability, this person has been porn free for years now.
James 5:16 says “…confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” If you want forgiveness from your sins, confess them to God. But if you want healing from your sins, confess them to someone close that you trust. If you’ve never opened up to another person you trust about your struggles and temptations, this is a great way to practice humility and I’d encourage you to do that.