Pride or Humility

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Ephesians 4:1-2
(The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Eph 4:1–3). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.)

Humility is fundamental to spiritual growth and blessing.

Family problems [husbands & wives don't get along, children are rebelling] are on the rise wouldn't you say?  What would you say the reason is for that? But aren't there a lot of agencies to help with that?  Sure, but they only touch on the symptoms, not really getting to the heart of the matter.  I propose to you that it's about pride [what about me?] and that what is needed is humility.  So what actually is humility?  I've linked the word so click on it and read the definitions.  Immediately I thought of another passage of scripture when i read the definitions! [I Cor 13-The Love chapter] We talk a lot about this type of stuff but do we actually DO what we say while running our mouths?  I SAY a lot of stuff but am I humble?

Humility is a basic ingredient for all spiritual blessing. The book of Proverbs is rich with such teaching:

“When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom” (11:2). 

“Before honor comes humility” (15:33). 

“The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life” (22:4). 

And then James tells us, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (4:6). 

I think, too often, we forget how important humility is.

What is the opposite of humility?  Pride, right?  Hmm...what do we know about pride right off the top of our head? 

Did you know that pride was the first sin ever committed? 

An angel named Lucifer tried to exalt himself above God: “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High” (Isa. 14:13-14). He said “I will” five times, and God said, “No, you won’t” and cast him out of Heaven. Lucifer, “son of the morning,” became Satan, “the accuser.”

Every sin—whatever it is—has pride at its root, because all sin is defiance of God. 

What could be more prideful than saying, “I won’t follow God’s standard”? So in trying to overcome sin, we must also deal with our pride. It is impossible to be saved without humility. God isn’t impressed with anything other than coming to God and saying, “I am a sinner, and I realize I am worthy of nothing.” There’s no other way [John 14:6]into God’s family and no other way to walk once you’re there.

Though you may have read your Bible, prayed, gone to church all your life, or even founded churches, if you aren’t walking in humility, you aren’t walking a worthy walk.

The worthy walk begins with “all humility.”

The tax collector & the Pharisee [read here]...which am I? Which are you?  Time for us to do some soul searching today.....