Don’t Let Pride Guide

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. – (Philippians 2:3-4, NLT)

In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble and honor others more than yourselves. Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too. – (Philippians 2:3-4, ERV)

Don’t let selfishness and prideful agendas take over. Embrace true humility, and lift your heads to extend love to others. Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests; be sincere, and secure your neighbor’s interests first. – (Philippians 2:3-4, VOICE)

 

Following this one can be a bit tricky. Even if our mode of operation is to look out for others and prefer one another in love, there are times when we feel that we have been the recipient of someone’s selfishness or lack of humility, and a sense of self-righteousness may rise. Despite being the recipient of less than we choose to extend to others, it is not our charge to hold grudges and walk in unforgiveness. When we do, we become prideful in our own sense of being right. Rather, we are meant to be humble and extend love, even to those who offered us less. With sincerity and genuine care for one another, healing where the relationship was fractured can take place. Without it, there is no way to repair the damage that has been done. May we choose to be humble and kind in all things and at all times, and allow the love of the Lord extended through us to be the very thing that brings restoration where damage has been done.

 

Be humble and kind, 

In all that we do;

Look out for others,

Give grace and love too.

Don’t let selfishness,

Or personal pride;

Be what is leading,

Let Christ be our guide.

For as we extend,

Love to each other;

We rise up in peace,

Sisters and brothers.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we choose to be humble and selfless, You move mountains that seemed impossible to move. Thank You that when our focus is outward, You do mighty works inward. Forgive us for our selfishness and pride, that makes us think only of ourselves and not of those around us. Show us the places where pride or selfishness have crept in and are keeping us from being who You have called us to be. Help us to love others with humility and selflessness, preferring others before our own agenda to be right. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, as we choose to be humble and honor others first. Be glorified O God, as we seek to walk in humility and grace, giving others as You have given unto us. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us. – Psalm 67:1

The Help and Hope of Humility

Pride is perhaps the greatest obstacle to coming into the kingdom of Christ. King Nebuchadnezzar had to learn the hard way, just how far a man will fall if pride comes before the Lord. Though he had been warned multiple times through dreams and the interpretations provided by Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar somehow always managed to disregard the wisdom given to him, and ultimately found himself insane and isolated, before he was willing to repent of his pride and humble himself in the sight of the Lord.

 

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything He does is right and all His ways are just. And those who walk in pride He is able to humble. – (Daniel 4:37)

 

Nebuchadnezzar was a changed man. The same king who had erected an enormous gold statue and commanded his people to bow down and worship it before him, was now glorifying God, and acknowledging that God’s way was the right way. He who had been too prideful to heed the warnings granted, had suffered the consequence of his foolish pride, repented, and was now restored to his position of power, and walking humbly before the Lord. May we each heed the Lord’s words of warning and release our pride, rather than wander lost in the wilderness of our own foolishness. Teach us to walk in humility, we pray.

 

All praise and glory,

to the King of kings;

for all that He does,

true righteousness brings.

All His ways are right,

not one steeped in pride;

with humility,

He willingly died.

He chose that old cross,

so we might have life;

and rose up again;

blessings that are rife.

Let us give Him all,

as we humbly come;

to seek and serve Him,

’til our days are done.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the King of kings and Lord of lords, and that You alone, are worthy of all of our praise. Please forgive us for our foolish pride, and help us to have repentant hearts and be fully reliant on You. Teach us to walk in constant humility, so that we may be tender and approachable to all whom we encounter. Let Your love and light be what is evident in and through us to the world, and may many come to know You as result. Be glorified, Lord God, as we seek to walk humbly before You. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

I thank and praise You, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power. – Daniel 2:23