As long we are "self-absorbed," or "full of ourselves," we are of no use to the Lord. We are too busy advancing our own "self-interests" to think of anything else. In this frame of mind and heart we are about as open to Him as a clogged sink drain!
There is a fix for this, however, and it is to "humble oneself" or acquire "humility." This means we must place our focus on others and the world around us, instead of our own ego (Philippians 2:3).
In the Bible, "humility" is a divine character trait that includes the absence of pride or arrogance, trusting in God, and valuing others. It's a voluntary choice to recognize our own limitations compared to God, and put others first.
Humility is not diminishing your value, but rather it is a balanced view of oneself before God and others. We must bring a lowliness of mind to the table. Remember, God is the Creator and Sustainer of everything, not us! (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16)
A most important thing about humility is that it is necessary for salvation. Only those who truly humble themselves and place their full trust in God will inherit eternal with Him, and reap the benefits of a hope-filled life on earth.
The humbling of oneself goes against what many have learned and practiced. Some may see it as a sign of weakness or fear. But we are talking about our appearance “in the sight of the Lord,” and not how we appear to others.
In the former case, it requires an empathetic attitude of meekness to humble ourselves in front of God. Mere appearances simply won’t suffice to God, who can peer into our very hearts (1 Samuel 16:7).
The directive “to humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord” (James 4:10) isn’t just limited to how it affects our relationship with Him. It can also influence decisions in our daily life.
Because of our nature, humility is crucial for a beneficial relationship with God. We must cancel out things like pride and conceit, and set aside personal differences, and consider the needs, feelings, and desires of others instead.
As believers, we are called to “die to self” or relinquish (surrender) our own desires, ambitions, and egos in order to live in harmony with God’s will and the teachings of Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:24; Philippians 2:3-4).
Instead of self-elevation, we can “humble ourselves” in the sight of God and make deliberate choices for the good of others. In this manner, we may serve as a manifestation of who and what Jesus Christ is all about (Colossians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 5:20).
Scripture: Proverbs 11:2; Matthew 18:4; Ephesians 4:2; Philippians 2:3; Colossians 3:12
Prayer: Dear Lord, grant me a humble heart that is open to your guidance, and may I be a blessing to others because of your grace, Amen."
May the grace of God be with you,
Andrea
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