The Bible says that God opposes the proud and favours the humble (James 4:6). That’s one big enough reason to make humility our portion and resist what God resists.
Paul in his letter to the Phillippi church gives us five useful ways to counter pride:
1. Be in one spirit and purpose (Phil 2:2)
Know that we all as children of God are running the same race and straining towards the same heavenly purpose. Therefore it’s not you bigger, or I better, but Christ lifted up. Our motto should be–What I do, you cannot do; what you do I cannot do- that doesn’t mean we get proud of what we do, instead we work together to glorify Christ. Unity not only commands the blessing of the Lord (Psalms133:3), but it also operates through love thereby keeping a check on pride.
2. Do nothing in selfishness (Phil 2:3)
CONSIDER OTHERS BETTER (www.freedigitalphotos.net)
Selfishness or self-centeredness and pride are closely connected. Selfish ambition is one of the acts of the sinful nature of man, contrary to the Spirit (Galatians 5:19). “What’s there in it for me? How do I gain?” There are signs of immature believers who are relying too much on the flesh, rather than trusting the omnipotence of God. Let’s always ask the Holy Spirit to purify the motives behind what we do or say so that they are not self-centered but Christ-centered.
3. Consider others better (Phil 2: 3)
Being humble, means you acknowledge and appreciate the fact that each one of us is different and blessed with unique talents and gifts. It is interesting, Paul doesn’t say here, consider each one at par with you, but he goes one step further in stating ‘Consider others better’. I believe being vocal and lavish in genuine appreciation of each others’ gifting is a very good way. It works two ways–on one hand, it encourages your brother/sister and secondly it closes the door for pride to enter your life.
4. Look at others’ interests. (Phil 2: 4)
We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive … we must not just please ourselves. (Romans 15:1, NLT). Always act in love and be mindful of others’ interest. See your brother stumble? Choose to bend your heart and pick him up instead of walking away. When we sow seeds of concern and love, it will keep us grounded and we will reap a harvest of favour in our lives.
5. Imitate Christ (Phil 2: 6-11)
There’s no better example of humility than Jesus. A God whom the heaven and the highest of heavens cannot contain (2 Chronicles 6:18), a God for whom the earth is just a footstool (Acts 7:49), in humility chose to became literally nothing for our sakes. He became small and small to the point of reducing himself to the size of a sperm, invisible to the naked eye! In humility he came, in humility he lived and in humility he suffered the cross. Every time the enemy in guise of pride tries to gain foothold in our lives, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to remind ourselves of the humility of Jesus. I like what Paul says in Phil 3:8—Whatever I have, I consider it as RUBBISH in comparison to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus. I believe when we live with this attitude, we will remain humble!
Anything you can add? How do you counter pride?