“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 (HCSB)
The Path to Destruction and Division
My brothers and sisters, if there is one thing that stands as a significant, persistent barrier in our walk with God and in our relationships with one another, it is pride. We often talk about external struggles such as finances, schedules, or differences, but the core issue, the original sin that caused the downfall of Lucifer and Adam and Eve, is pride. It is a deceiver and an enslaver, and it creates a barrier to God’s blessings in our lives.
Pride is a relationship destroyer. Whether it’s in our marriages, our families, our friendships, or even our church communities, pride causes division and breakdown. It is the refusal to admit fault, the difficulty in saying, “I was wrong,” and the desperate attempt to hide our weaknesses.
The Path to Destruction and Division
Destruction inevitably follows pride. Why? Because pride poisons the well of connection. It leads us to devalue, criticize, and judge others to elevate ourselves. It fuels comparison, selfishness, and strife, leading directly to broken relationships.
When we cling to our pride, we prevent healing, we block taking responsibility, and we cause ongoing relational harm. God’s standard for us is much different. He calls us to humility, which is essential for healthy and restored relationships.
The Divine Counter-Strategy: Humility and Esteem
So, what is the divine expectation for us in this life? The antidote to pride is humility, which heals and unites.
We are given a powerful instruction in Scripture, an actual counter-cultural command. Paul tells the church in Philippians 2:3-4 (HCSB):
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Our devotional notes remind us of this important point: we must avoid selfish ambition and conceit, and instead, esteem others above ourselves. Valuing others more than ourselves is how we counter pride and build honest, healthy relationships. We’re called to see others as better than ourselves.
Jesus, the Prince of Peace, really showed us what it means to be humble. He was meek and humble in heart, and He spent His time serving and making sacrifices. When we try to live like He did, being humble helps us serve others, build good relationships, and most importantly, lets God’s grace in. Humility is like a breath of fresh air for the soul, whereas pride wears you out and gets you into trouble.
Prayer & Reflection
We must continually learn humility and depend on divine help to address and eliminate pride from our hearts.
Let us pray:
Father,
You know what’s in my heart and how pride can sneak in there. I admit that I sometimes try to boost myself up, judge others, and have a hard time saying I’m wrong. I’m really asking for Your forgiveness. Jesus, You showed us what true humility looks like. Help me to be more like You. Give me the strength to think of others first, to serve instead of being selfish, and to bring peace to my relationships instead of causing drama. I want to live humbly because that’s how I can get closer to Your grace.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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