Living Boldly for God: Step 3 – Practice Humility

As we journey on our path of living boldly for God, we come to a crucial aspect that often gets overlooked: the practice of humility. In a world where sin is frequently categorized as big or small, most people tend to see pride as a less obvious transgression. Yet, this sin can be greater than many we may consider more serious, such as murder or theft.

When asked if they are sinners, many will respond, “I haven’t killed anyone” or “I haven’t stolen anything.” However, we need to acknowledge that pride, often hidden beneath the surface, can be the root of many destructive behaviors in our lives.

The Dangers of Pride

Pride was the very foundation of Satan’s fall. Once Lucifer, a high-ranking angel, believed himself greater than God, which ultimately led to his expulsion from heaven. Pride blinds us to the truth of our situation and can warp our perception of ourselves and others. It can cause us to elevate ourselves above God and the people He has placed in our lives.

In today’s world of social media and instant fame, pride can thrive where opinions and self-promotion abound. We see this in the church, too. Pastors rejecting smaller congregations, worship leaders demanding exorbitant fees, and musicians pushing their worth—these attitudes stem from pride, which hinders the work of the Gospel.

Jesus, in all His power and authority, chose a different path. As highlighted in Mark 10:45, He came to serve, not to be served. His humility is a model for us, as He exemplified how to lead by putting others’ needs before our own.

Practicing Humility

So, how do we combat pride in our lives? The first step is to consistently embrace humility. James 4:10 encourages us to “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” Understanding that our gifts, talents, and resources come from God is essential. When we recognize that everything we have is for His glory, pride begins to lose its hold.

Serve Others: We can practice humility through acts of service. This can be as simple as setting up chairs at church, holding a door open for someone, or picking up trash in the parking lot. Focus on promoting others instead of yourself. Your time, talents, finances, and resources are opportunities to serve those around you.
Find an Accountability Buddy: Proverbs 27:17 states, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” It is vital to have someone you trust to provide direction and correction in your life. Give them permission to call out any signs of pride that may arise and pray together for a humble, servant-hearted attitude.

Conclusion

Pride is a sin that must be dealt with if we aim to cultivate a Christ-like humility. By practicing acts of service and inviting accountability into our lives, we can begin to rid ourselves of pride and instead embody the humility that God desires for each of us.

As we continue our journey of living boldly for God, let us strive to reflect His humble spirit and serve others as He did. Join me tomorrow for step four in our series on living boldly for God! Together, we can transform our hearts and communities through the humble service of Christ.