Does your pride surpass humility?
What is the difference between pride and humility?
Being proud or arrogant involves having a know-it-all attitude and taking matters into your own hands. It is based on fear of believing that God is withholding good from you. It is a selfish act concerned only for the needs and feelings of oneself.
Pride involves being self reliant, coupled with a belief of being better than others. 1 Peter 5:5-6 says “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you, be submitted to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”
Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”
There are many benefits in living a life of humility. It honours God and gives Him permission to work in your life. Here are some of the attributes of humility. As you read the list, ask yourself which ones you need to develop in your life.
People who possess humility are:
• God-conscious and rely on Him for help.
• Teachable and willing to learn, admitting their own weaknesses.
• Compassionate, forgiving others because they know how much they have been forgiven.
• Believing there s enough for all of us and are genuinely interested in seeing others succeed.
• Believers of God’s willingness to work in them despite all of their flaws.
• Accepting of personal responsibility and able to see where they are wrong in a situation.
• Concerned about being real because what matters to them is not what others think, but what God knows.
• Willing to be open and transparent with others as God directs.
• Able to acknowledge specifics when confessing their sin.
• Quick to take the initiative to be reconciled when there is misunderstanding or conflict in relationships.
• Honest and not trying to cover up secrets.
The main difference between pride and humility is the motive of your heart. God is aware of what is in your heat and wants to shine His light into the dark areas of our soul.
In Psalm 51:10 David says to God, “Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me.”
People who operate in true humility are a joy to be around. They are not defensive or judgmental. They aren’t trying to prove that their story is better than yours. They are genuinely interested in others.
Humility is a quality worth pursuing, but it only comes by relying on God. Admitting that we need Him and then trusting that He hears our prayers are true acts of humility.
Know-it-alls are really annoying, probably even to God. Only those who are humble can really handle promotion without letting it go to their head.
God knows more than we do, and relying on Him is an honour. Pride pushes God away, while humility draws us closer to Him.
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