Recipe for Humble Pie!

“Humble” is one of my favorite words, because it’s one of my favorite traits in any person I come in contact with! There is something about being around someone who is down to earth and kind. It makes you comfortable to be around someone who is easy to talk to and doesn’t flaunt their accomplishments, and make you feel badly about yourself. I’d rather be talking to someone who isn’t trying to draw attention to themselves or our discussion.

       “Humility” is a down to earth view of how important you feel that you are. While we don’t want to have a poor image of ourselves, we don’t want to “put ourselves on a pedestal” per say. God’s Word has a lot to say about humility, because it’s one of the many traits you find in Christ! I would have to say the humblest thing that has ever been done, was a man dying for my sins! Hanging on the cross His last words to me could have been “look what you’ve done to me, and look what I’m doing for you.” He could have looked upward to show greatness! Instead, He bowed His head and simply said “It is finished.” He really didn’t say much of anything about what He had done for me. John 19:30 “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” It truly was the greatest example of Christianity that we will ever have. What does the Bible have to say about being humble and being prideful?

 Pride is shameful – Proverbs 11:2 – “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” I never really thought of pitying someone who was arrogant, because it’s so easy to become annoyed by them. While studying this topic, I came across a verse that really stood out to me. Being one of God’s children, we should feel sorry for someone who is proud and arrogant. It should make us wonder what has happened in their life that they must feel that the only thing going for them is themselves, not living for The Lord. 1 Peter 3:8 – “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:”

Don’t try to be noticed or try to have the last word – Philippians 2:3 – “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”  The definition of strife is anger, bitterness, and conflict over fundamental issues. Fundamental is the core values that something is based upon. Whether it’s house rules, discipline, spiritual values, and disagreements in relationships…The Bible commands that we don’t react out of anger or bitterness, to receive vainglory from others. We won’t always come out of each situation looking like a shining star, if we do, did we accomplish it in an un-godly way? Speak softly, don’t argue to be the last comment. Psalm 15:1 – “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” At times it really takes a lot to humble ourselves enough, to just speak softly or say nothing at all if our words would be hurtful. I really like that verse, it is and will always be helpful to me.

Give God room to work in your life – John 3:30 – “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Let God work on your life, my life. He will bless us so much more if we just bring ourselves lower, so He can build us up.

God is the only One that should lift us up – James 4:10 - “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” Let God lift us up, He will only do it if we humble ourselves. He can’t bring us up, if we already have ourselves higher than we belong.

      We shouldn’t ever wish something bad on someone, but the Bible does have a warning and reminder that the proud will be given a reality check at some point down the line. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it causes us to worry, and sometimes it’s humiliating in front of others. The word “humiliated” is taken from the word “humble.” It means to have your dignity (being worthy of respect and/or honor) injured.

 You’ll be rewarded for humbling yourself – Matthew 23:12 – “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Being abased means to be belittled. Sometimes if we are so full or sure of ourselves, God has a way of showing us that we are nothing without Him. Galatians 6:3 – For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” We are really deceived, blinded and in a poor spiritual state when we feel like we are better than someone else.  If we just humble ourselves, God will bless and exalt us in His own way.

      I’ve come to the conclusion after this study, that if you combine all of these verses it gives you a recipe for “humble pie.” Let’s face it, all of us have had to eat it at some point…It’s certainly not one of my favorite foods.

Indredients:

1 proud person

A dash of strife

A mind desiring vainglory

Instructions:

Let is simmer and in your heart, keep taking and giving credit to yourself…In a period of time you will have a humbling experience. No matter “who” we “think” we are. Romans 2:11 – “For there is no respect of persons with God.”

      One way to evaluate ourselves is to watch and see how others feel about us. This includes family, friends, loved ones and even the church family!

Family – At home how do you treat your family? Do you belittle their accomplishments and make it seem like they aren’t as talented as you are? Try complimenting what they have done and not bringing up your accomplishments all the time.

Friends – When you are out with your friends, do you like to constantly talk about yourself? Try just listening to someone else’s feelings, point of view, and opinion on something.

Loved ones – It could be a spouse, boyfriend, or someone you’re getting to know. Don’t overly brag about your day or your problems at all times. Try asking them about their day, and wait for them to ask about yours before you tell them.

Church family – At church, how does the church family feel about you? If you have a special role in church, or like to get involved in functions, groups or planning, how does it come across? Does it come across as a selfless act of love and caring about others, or do your actions come across as a “look at me” kind of approach. Try going behind the scenes at times. Often times the people who go unnoticed have the most important role. God gives a reward to those, which is so much more important to receive than the praise of others. Matthew 6:4 – “That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”

     We are all guilty of being prideful at times, it’s not easy to admit. But God promises us so much more blessings and happiness if we just take a step back and realize we cannot do anything without His help. Let’s all pray for humbleness on a daily basis and give thanks unto the Lord, for He truly is good to us!

Psalm 118:1 – “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.” I want to try some new tactics to help me think more of others than of myself, I can use some work J

 God Bless you with your Bible studies, always feel free to comment and add to my list!