[Last devotional until September 6th, 2021. See note below.] Proverbs 11:2 says: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Have you ever wondered why that is? It’s because pride wants to take the wheel and be in control. Humility, on the other hand, is about kicking out arrogance so that God’s … Continue reading With humility comes wisdom
pride
Full of yourself, or the Spirit?
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them…” (Luke 2:8-9) Have you ever wondered, “Why shepherds?” Why did the angel come to them of all people while they were actively watching against thieves and prey? There are probably … Continue reading Full of yourself, or the Spirit?
Applause vs Faithfulness
This week I’m sharing some thoughts about humility. On Monday I talked about the pitfalls of pride. On Tuesday I talked about Jesus’ own example. On Wednesday I talked about some practical ways to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition” (Philippians 2:3). Today let me keep that going. Here are a few more down-to-earth ideas … Continue reading Applause vs Faithfulness
Selfish ambition
Yesterday I said that humility is focusing on someone else more than self. Or, in the words of C.S. Lewis, “Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, but of yourself less.” Jesus is our ultimate inspiration and example of humility. Since we want to be like him (1 John 2:6), we strive to be humble and … Continue reading Selfish ambition
Someone else more than self
Is it just me, or is humility the virtue that many people admire but few actually want? To the Philippians in the early 60’s, Paul wrote: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests … Continue reading Someone else more than self
He just HAD to get the credit. And it cost him.
I heard a story about two geese and a turtle. They wanted to go somewhere far. Together. But the turtle couldn’t fly. So he came up with an idea. The two geese could hold the ends of a big stick in their beaks. The turtle could grab the stick in the middle with his own … Continue reading He just HAD to get the credit. And it cost him.
Christ-centred or self-centred
Jesus defined the greatest command like this: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Mark 12:29-31). Obviously, love is massively important. But many of us don’t love like we … Continue reading Christ-centred or self-centred
In a world of pride and vulgarity
The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of the Trinity. And when you become a follower of Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells within you. But we can easily lose sight of the word “HOLY.” With each passing year in our society, the idea of something being “holy” seems more and more strange. But that’s … Continue reading In a world of pride and vulgarity
Clinging to mistakes
Someone once said, “Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.” I think there’s incredible wisdom in that statement. But what does it mean? The last I checked, we humans don’t like to be wrong. But we sometimes are. Even still, we will defend decisions, words or actions … Continue reading Clinging to mistakes
Doing something “beneath” you
There are two kinds of pride. The first is simply being proud of your country or a child. I get that. It’s pretty innocent. But the second kind of pride is problematic and has to do with ego. It’s an over-inflated sense of self. It’s having a puffed-up attitude, never admitting you’re wrong, and thinking … Continue reading Doing something “beneath” you
