A Hunger for Humility
Posted: 1/15/2020
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)
Have you noticed that the longer you walk with God, the more aware you become of your sinful nature? Pride, especially, rears its ugly head when I least expect it. It’s the hardest part of the old self to give up. It is deeply ingrained in our flesh and surfaces at the slightest urging. But for the children of God, there is a hunger, deep within, to obtain full victory in this area of our life.
As Christians, we know God desires that we walk humbly with Him. It is the only way He can make any progress with our inner life. To humble yourself means to see yourself through God’s eyes; to allow Him to shine His light on the dark corners of your life so the need for change can be seen. God is the One (through the Holy Spirit) who does the changing. Humility (through confession) opens the door for the Holy Spirit to begin His work, enabling us to embrace our absolute dependence on God for everything.
Is there an area of your life that is stressful or complicated? If so, pride is insisting that you stay in control. Are there things you always hide from others? Are there secrets about yourself that you refuse to reveal? If so, in those areas, you could be struggling with pride again. Hiding your weaknesses only deepens their hold on your life.
Humility is what brings the strength of God into our lives. It is the cure for the cancer of self-absorption. It opens the way for God’s power and grace. The humble have nothing to hide, nor are they ashamed. They know their weaknesses and offer them without reserve to God. And God exalts them through their weakness by revealing His strength and glory (James 4:6).
As long as you refuse to acknowledge your weaknesses, you will never know what it means to experience true joy and freedom in Christ. One day, at the final judgment, your pride will be revealed and you may be humbled as never before. Why wait for that day? Let humility draw you closer to Christ now and show you the way to experience total freedom in this life.
Heavenly Father, I confess that I am sometimes consumed by “the boastful pride of life.” Please forgive me. I want to have a humble heart before you, knowing that You oppose the proud but give grace to the humble. Amen.
< View All Devotionals