Have you ever been humbled?

“According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is pride…Pride leads to every other vice. It is the complete anti-God state of mind..”
– C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity

The Nature of Pride:

• • Self-sufficiency before God
  • Self-exaltation in the heart 
  • Self-importance over others

Self-Sufficiency before God

The Enemies Pattern: Doubt  ➡  Desire  ➡  Resistance weakened

“She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her.”
– Genesis 3:6b NLT

“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”
– James 1:14-15 NLT

Self-exaltation of the heart

“As he looked out across the city, he said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’”
– Daniel 4:30 NLT

“While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from heaven, ‘O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. 32You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.’
– Daniel 4:31-32 NLT

“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted”
– Luke 14:11 NLT

Self-importance over others: False Humility or Insecurity

If the enemy can convince you that you are incapable, that you aren’t enough, or too much, or that you’re not equipped, that you…me… I.., you get the picture, then he can keep you wandering in circles endlessly searching for something or someone to affirm your worth. 

True humility is simply stepping out of the center and letting God be the main character.

God’s goal is not merely to punish pride, but to forgive, restore, and transform us. 

Humility

Humility is having the right view of yourself before God and others.

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
– Philippians 2:5-8 NLT

God’s Pattern:

Humbling –– Exaltation

“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
– Philippians 2:9-11 NLT

How do we humble ourselves and resist the temptation of Pride?

We counter self-sufficiency with a recognition of who the Father is, who Christ is, and who we are.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. “
– John 15:1-8 NLT

We counter self-exaltation in the heart by taking a posture of repentance

“After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever.”
– Daniel 4:34 NLT

“Lord, I am nothing apart from You. I need You. I am in need of a Savior. Search my heart.”

We counter self-importance over others by serving.

We counter the sin we don’t see by inviting accountability.

 

• • A lifestyle of serving.
  • Accountability in community.
  • Remembering who we are.
  • A posture of repentance.