What has always been the downfall of mankind? PRIDE! There’s a big difference in being confident and being full of pride. We can only build our lives on sinking sand when for the sake of pride, we live a life that isn’t surrendered to God. The humility necessary to survive this life to then receive the promise of an eternal one, is challenged by what we can accomplish with our own, temporary, and dusty hands. Here are 3 benefits to living in humility.
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2
1. Humility measures our acts
When we say “Pride comes before the fall” we’re ultimately admitting that pride can cost us everything. It’s a direct result of selfishly pursuing our own ambitions at any cost, like betting on ourselves only to lose disastrously. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, America decided that dropping two atomic bombs on Japanese cities four years later would bring retribution to our great nation. War is more about pride than it is about peace, these events only proved that the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of people, mostly civilians, were the best way to send a message. America could not be defeated. Where was the humility? These acts were measured against humility and was found lacking.
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6
2. Humility tests our hearts
After the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki we as a nation weren’t contrite or remorseful. We found the perfect testing site, at the expense of the Natives who lived on that land, and began to build bigger bombs. The test of humility was to see the devastation we caused to another country and find ways that didn’t cause so much bloodshed. Unfortunately, America wanted more; bigger blasts, expansive destruction, and larger number of lives lost. Tested by humility and failed. It tests our hearts and is the ultimate guide to living in good standing with God.
“Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4
3. Humility brings favor
Jesus preached to the multitudes about kingdom principles that would guarantee their success in life, humility was one of them. As Kingdom Citizens, we can reap the benefits of humility after we our tested, after we make this principle a core value in our lives. When we think of others more highly than ourselves, when we rather give than receive, when we rather serve than be served, honor is our portion! The favor of God floods our lives when our acts, hearts, and lives can be measured and tested by humility. It’s never fun, at times painful, and always uncomfortable because the flesh will want to boast and puff up about its own achievements.
We, as children of God, know better. We have seen firsthand how the humility of Jesus on the cross gained the devotion of our lives and the ultimate honor of heaven. With pride comes consequences as deadly as nuclear bombs that will destroy our lives and others but, with humility comes the favor of God and the manifestation of every promise He’s spoken about us. Let us choose wisely!