One day when Jesus was dining with a group of Pharisees, he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table. He promptly launched into a parable before saying, "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Luke 14:11).
God hates pride. Pride was Lucifer's sin, which caused him to be cast out of heaven. It can also be a great problem for us, so let us choose humility today. It is good for us for several reasons.
One, humility is essential for salvation. Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). Jesus said these words to his apostles, whom he had handpicked because of their humility. However, after spending just a few months with him, they began thinking no end of themselves. They started jockeying for positions of power and importance, asking for seats beside him in heaven. Jesus told them that if they didn't change, forget about sitting to his left and right in heaven, they wouldn't even make it there.
Two, humility is the key to wisdom. Scripture says, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (Proverbs 11:2). When we are prideful, we become unteachable because we think we know everything. Only when we are humble do we become open to gaining knowledge and wisdom.
Three, humility helps us to serve others. Paul writes, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others" (Philippians 2:3-4).
Four, humility is the way to honor. You may have heard the saying, "Pride comes before a fall." It was probably inspired by words in Scripture that says, "Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor" (Proverbs 18:12).
Five, humility helps us to receive grace. Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble" (James 4:6). When we are proud, we stand in opposition to God. Who wants that? When we are humble, however, we receive grace in abundance. And we can all surely use that. Also, as we already heard, when we are humble, we are exalted!
So, let us choose to be humble and be blessed.
God bless you.
