“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2:3–4, KJV)
Years ago, I taught a Sunday school class on the necessity of humility in the Christian life. So, I decided to begin with a mock testimony, speaking about myself. I began to tell of some great exploits and accomplishments that I had done. Then I went on to speak of my wonderful virtues and how great I was. I described myself with great superlatives. I concluded that everyone would want to be like me. Mind you that this was not reality, it was a show designed to make a point.
Apparently, I overdid it. At the end I asked the group, “What did you think of my testimony?” One man in the group spoke up and stated, “I wanted to get up and punch you in the mouth!” Though violence would not be the answer to my monologue, his facial expression said it all. He was quite aggravated with what I did. So, I then explained that it was not the reality and that I was just making a point. The point was pride is a problem and humility is paramount.
Often in the church believers carry an aura of superiority about them. This is easily seen and is very often detrimental to the function of the church. The extreme manifestation of this is when believers look down on others. This attitude will often be seen in comments that put others down for a variety of reasons through gossip or even direct comments to an individual.
Paul indicated that this attitude of heart should never be manifested by those in the church. His point was that believers must esteem others better than themselves. In the church we must consider every believer as of the highest importance in the body of Christ. For this to happen, humility is essential for pride will destroy others and create disunity in the fellowship.
There is another thing to understand when we elevate others in our hearts, it raises the entire congregation to new levels of demonstrating the humility of Christ. It will ultimately improve the testimony of harmony in the church to a disharmonious world. This will be more attractive to those outside the body than a group of people with inferiors and superiors who lord it over them. Remember, Jesus stated that this is the way the gentile world functions.
Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Therefore, let us humble ourselves so that the Lord might shine brightly through the church.
Renewing the Heart 