Humility: Thinking of Yourself Less

“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ ” -1 Peter 5:5

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” -Philippians 2:5-8

The Bible presents humility differently. 1 Peter 5 gives direction to young people and elders that we should all “dress yourselves with humility” as we relate to one another because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

When you think of someone who is humble, what comes to mind?  Is it someone who thinks badly of themselves?  Philippians 2:5-8 shows us that humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. Jesus displayed the ultimate humility in the Garden when he submitted to the will of the Father in the garden of Gethsemane on the night before his death, and chose to give us what we needed (a sacrifice for sin) over what he wanted (not to have to endure death on the cross). 

Rather than focusing on us and our needs and what we want, we should submit ourselves to our authority, listen to and consider those around us and put others before ourselves.  And God will give us the grace to do this.  If we live a life of humility, it will look like Jesus who humbled himself and became a servant, putting our need for salvation ahead of his desires. 

Take a moment today to think of the needs of others and make a goal of meeting one of those needs!  For if we humble ourselves, we will be given grace and be raised up!