Scripture Reading(s)
Proverbs 25:6-7
25:6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great;
25:7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
Reflections
Humility is a vital characteristic in the life of a Christian. Scripture talks about how someone who is marked with humility is also someone who is full of wisdom. A person who acts wisely and not out of selfish gain or a means to elevate themselves is an honorable thing.
Being humble can be applied in our lives in different ways. Here are some areas in which humility plays a major component in dictating how we ought to act as followers of Christ:
- Letting go of our Pride-being a proud person means putting your status and position above others. It also means not leaving any room for being corrected or offering forgiveness to those who have wronged you. The opposite of pride wold be admitting that you are wrong and in need of forgiveness, or vice versa, accepting ones apology and forgiving them.
- Selfishness-putting your needs before another is a major area in which humility needs to take over. When one adopts the attitude of humility, it shapes your attitude towards thinking of others before yourself. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” Philippians 2:3
- Placing God above all-Understanding who God is and the role He plays in our life is a vital component to living out humility. John 3:30 says “He must increase; but I must decrease”. Understanding that God’s ways our higher then ours and that He knows whats best for us shifts our perspective from relying on our own strength to live out our lives and instead place our trust in His strength. It takes a humble person to admit that they are in need of a Savior’s loving and gracious hand to help us make it through this life. Humility dictates that it is God who can provide us with just enough strength and Grace to make it through each day.
The man seats himself at the head of the king’s table will eventually be humbled once the king shows up. The man who is offered a seat by king himself will be honored by all the guests.
It is never our place to determine how great we are. For Jesus said,
“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)
Whoever is humble is the one who receives the honor in God’s economy. May we never think more highly of ourselves that we do of others and may we always remember that we are all made from the same pile of dirt. Without the breath of God in us we are nothing more than an ant hill.