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 fifth way we can practice humility and kill the pride in our lives.
5. Humble myself voluntarily. Luke 14:11
Jesus said in Luke 14:11 “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” The Bible teaches that we will all be humbled…You can voluntarily humble yourself, OR God can do it for you.
I’ve learned the hard way that when we’re proud, God will humble us. So I’ve put some safeguards in my life to keep me from the embarrassment that comes when God humbles us. I’ve adopted three disciples that I’ve been practicing for over a decade that help me keep my pride in check. Pride is not dead within me. I just keep it in check with these three disciplines.
- I try to never take the best seat at a table (sit at the head)
- I try to never take the best seat in a car. Jesus said in Luke 14:8-10 “…do not take the place of honor…take the lowest place…”
- I try to always share my own struggles with what I’m preaching on
I’ve found that doing these three things helps me to keep my pride in check. Sitting in the less prominent seat reminds me that I’m not #1, God is #1. Sharing my struggles reminds me that I don’t have it all together, only God has it all together.