January 18 Morning Verse of the Day

29:23. Ironically, the proud man, who craves to be exalted, will be brought low while a man of lowly or humble spirit will be exalted with honor (cf. Jb 5:11; Jms 4:10). There may be many reasons for this: the proud depend on themselves and go their own way while the humble depend on God and submit to His moral order (Waltke, Book of Proverbs 15–31, 450); the humble are teachable while the proud refuse to learn from their mistakes (Longman, Proverbs, 509); society finds the proud obnoxious and the humble winsome (Clifford, Proverbs, 255); or the Lord judges the proud and blesses the humble. But whatever the reason, the general principle stands.

Finkbeiner, D. (2014). Proverbs. In M. A. Rydelnik & M. Vanlaningham (Eds.), The moody bible commentary (p. 963). Moody Publishers.

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Ver. 23. A man’s pride shall bring him low.—On pride:—
Pride, though it implies an assumption of superiority, has a manifest tendency to degradation.

1. A man’s pride will bring him low because it subjects him to the imputation of folly. There is no condition of life that can warrant the indulgence of this sinful and corrupt passion. The maxims of human policy teach us that in proportion to the trust must be the responsibility. The uncertainty and imperfection of every blessing which this world affords should alone be sufficient to prevent that silly exaltation of the mind which constitutes pride. Neither abundance of riches nor superior endowments of the mind are a sufficient justification for pride. Neither the acquisition of fame, the flatteries of self-love, nor the consciousness of distinguished merit, should swell the heart with arrogance or pride. The truest characteristics of superior greatness and superior wisdom are modesty and humility; modesty freed from false shame, and humility without affectation or abasement. If these motives are insufficient to warrant the indulgence of pride, much less ought it to arise from the casual distinction of rank in the different orders of men. Pride is not confined to any particular rank or station. From whatever cause it proceeds, it always betokens weakness, folly, and corruption.
2. The various evils, and the general depravity which it produces. The text is often verified as “pride produces poverty.” More persons have sunk into poverty from this cause than from any other. From indulging in a thousand idle expenses, in order to support a kind of pompous vanity, the proud man can seldom spare a charitable mite “to give to him that needeth.” Pride is also the source of continual mortification. The petty vexations of pride that are compounded with every vain, selfish, and malignant passion have no claim to our indulgence. Pride is more productive of quarrels, bitterness, and strife than anything else. This base and selfish passion always creates, and always keeps alive, a watchful and incessant jealousy of power. Hence the mildest exhortation and the most friendly remonstrance is often converted into the bitterness of accusation or the insolence of reproach. This odious vice is seen at its worst in the awful end of the suicide. The dreadful act of self-destruction is often committed in the evil moment of wounded pride or mortified ambition. The proud man sits on an imaginary eminence of his own creation, and propagates servility or wretchedness all around him. In a mind thus bewildered and deceived the first principle of improvement is wanting. He who is not conscious of any defect can have no sufficient motive for amendment. Pride never appears so sinful and offensive as when we consider man in relation to his Maker. Then we perceive it destroying the efficacy and poisoning the very source of all those virtues which he is chiefly bound to practise. The proud man is in reality always degraded in proportion as he thinks himself exalted. (J. Hewlett, B.D.)
   Honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.—Honour:—
   This word means “nobleness of mind.” It is a natural instinct of human nature to be trustful, especially when a man’s honour is at stake; but there has been so much deception as to make almost everybody doubt everybody else. Every representation we make should be the truth; a deception is never excusable.
3. Honour is an acquired nature. The germ of honour is born in us, but every child has to be taught by example and precept to cultivate it. We sometimes cram our children too much with catechism, and omit to cultivate their honour. There is as much religion in being honourable as in being prayerful.
4. Honour should become an essential part of our nature. It is only the ignorant and the foolish who can be tickled by a title or a name. Let us seek to have honour in our nature. Honour should grow in us and become an essential part of our nature. Uncommon honour should be the common practice of everybody.
5. Honour should be the principle of all our transactions. Whether you gain by it or not, be honourable. Let your honour be as true in the dark as in the light.
6. In honour prefer one another. Do not gibe at a friend or detract from an enemy. If you can praise one another, do so, but never throw mud at anybody. If you really know that a man or woman is doing wrong, be honourable enough to tell them so, and not so mean as to talk of it behind their backs. Be honourable in all your sayings and in all your doings, so that this world, through you, may become a more joyous dwelling-place. (W. Birch.)

Exell, J. S. (n.d.). Proverbs (pp. 666–667). Fleming H. Revell Company.

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29:23 A proud man can be sure of being brought low. It is the humble man who is elevated to a place of honor.

Professor Smith was climbing the Weisshorn. When near the top the guide stood aside to permit the traveler to have the honor of first reaching the top. Exhilarated by the view, forgetful of the fierce gale that was blowing, he sprang up and stood erect on the summit. The guide pulled him down, exclaiming, “On your knees sir; you are not safe there except on your knees.” Life’s summits, whether of knowledge, of love, or of worldly success, are full of perils. (Choice Gleanings).

O Lamb of God, still keep me
Close to Thy pierced side;
’Tis only there in safety
And peace I can abide.
With foes and snares around me,
And lusts and fears within,
The grace that sought and found me,
Alone can keep me clean.

—James G. Deck

MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments (A. Farstad, Ed.; p. 866). Thomas Nelson.

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29:23. A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.
Here, again, is the oft-repeated theme of ‘pride’ and ‘a humble spirit.’ Proverbs repeatedly tells us that God is opposed to the proud. It stands directly opposed to the fear of the Lord, the major theme of this book (Prov. 8:13; 15:33; 22:4). Indeed, the proud man is an abomination to the Lord (Prov. 16:5). Little wonder that God guarantees to ‘bring him low.’ Pride pulls ‘dishonor’ (Prov. 11:2), ‘destruction’ (Prov. 16:18; 18:12), and ‘stumbling’ (Prov. 16:18) in its train. Nebuchadnezzar boasted of his sovereignty, but was brought down by the true Sovereign (Dan. 4:30–31). Jesus added His voice to this assurance: ‘[W]hoever exalts himself shall be humbled’ (Matt. 23:12a), as did his half-brother James: ‘God is opposed to the proud’ (James 4:6).
On the other hand (‘But’), one who possesses humility ‘will obtain honor.’ Humility not only pulls ‘honor’ (Prov. 15:33; 18:12b) in its train, but also ‘riches’ and ‘life’ (Prov. 22:4). Humility is paralleled with the fear of the Lord (Prov. 15:33; 22:4). ‘But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word’ (Isa. 66:2b). Jesus promises, ‘[H]e who humbles himself shall be exalted’ (Luke 14:11; 18:14b). ‘Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you’ (Prov. 4:10). ‘Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time’ (1 Pet. 5:6).
The irony of God’s justice is inescapable: By lifting yourself up, you bring yourself low, and by recognizing your lowliness, you incite God to lift you up.

Kitchen, J. A. (2006). Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary (p. 670). Mentor.

December 26 Morning Verse of the Day

HUMILITY

Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. (4:10)

As has been noted several times previously in this commentary volume, humility is actually the starting point and summary of salvation as far as the human response is concerned. The first Beatitude is “Blessed are the poor in spirit [the humble], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3). Earlier in this passage, James has declared that “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (4:6).
Tapeinoō (humble yourselves) means literally to make low. Here it means to make oneself low, not in the self-put-downs that many people use in order to induce others to build them up, but in a genuine realization of complete unworthiness and lostness because of sin. As the penitent sinner submits to God and draws closer to Him, like Isaiah he cries out, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isa. 6:5). The more an unbeliever sees God as He really is, glorious and holy, the more clearly he sees himself as he really is, sinful and depraved. Even Peter was overwhelmed and terrified when He saw Jesus miraculously fill their nets with fish, crying out, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (Luke 5:8). Later the disciples became even more fearful of Jesus for stilling the storm than they had been of the storm itself, “saying to one another, ‘Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?’ ” (8:25).
God has always honored those who are spiritually humble. The Lord testified to Solomon: “[If] My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14). The psalmist praised the Lord, saying, “You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear” (Ps. 10:17). Through Isaiah God promised, “I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite” (Isa. 57:15).
Jesus made clear that “whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Matt. 23:12). Again, the prodigal is the perfect example of contrite humility. When he came to his senses in the far country, he said to himself, “I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men’ ” (Luke 15:18–19). When he returned home and expressed that sincere contrition, “the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found’ ” (Luke 15:22–24).
That is a picture of the way in which God gives His “greater grace” (James 4:6) to those who come into the presence of the Lord in repentance and humility. He will exalt them lavishly.
It is of that gracious exaltation that Paul speaks in his letter to the church at Ephesus.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. (Eph. 1:3–7)

More even than that, our loving heavenly Father has “raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (2:6).

MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1998). James (pp. 213–215). Moody Press.

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10 With the words “humble yourselves,” James returns to the text quoted from the OT (cf. v. 6). God graciously gives aid to the humble; therefore “humble yourselves.” Here the specific form of humbling is that of repentance for the sin of transferring affections from God to pleasures of the world. However, the principle stated in this verse is much more comprehensive in its application. That God exalts those who humble themselves is a consistent biblical principle (cf. Matt 23:12; Luke 14:11; 18:14; Philippians 2:5–11; 1 Peter 5:6.)

Burdick, D. W. (1981). James. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 195). Zondervan Publishing House.

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10 James wraps up the unit by reiterating the call for humility reflected earlier (v. 6) in his quote of Proverbs 3:34: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” The value of humility as the right path to exaltation is widely published in the OT, but the most immediate backdrop for James is the teaching of Jesus, who said, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Lk 14:11; cf. Mt 23:12; Lk 18:14). The thought is echoed in the writings of the early church (e.g., 1 Pe 5:6; see Moo, 196), due in no small measure to the example of the Lord himself, who lived a life of perfect submission to the Father in the face of suffering and was exalted as a result (Heb 2:9; Php 2:5–11). This forms a cornerstone of the Lord’s upside-down value system, which governs the kingdom. The way “up” is “down”; the path of freedom is submission; the road to joy is walked in mourning and with tears. Yet the end result is grace. The Lord lifts those who, recognizing their sin, repent, bowing before him in submission.

Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, pp. 256–257). Zondervan.

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10 Humble yourselves—passive in form, reflexive in meaning. Self-abasement is a decisive act which James bids them do at once, before God, not Christ (see vv. 6, 7, 8). It is the necessary condition of spiritual exaltation and victory (see vv. 6f. and 1:12), not the vanity of the world’s glory.

Adamson, J. B. (1976). The Epistle of James (p. 175). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

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Humility and Its Promise (4:10)

James now turns to a final summons, and it brings to focus the theme of the entire section from 4:7–9: repentance. As in 4:7b and 4:8a, this last commandment entails a promise: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” The language evokes once again the reversal theme of 1:9–11. But instead of talking so directly to the poor as James did there, in the word “humble” he summons the teachers to align themselves with those who are needy and dependent on God. His summons probably owes at least some of its origin to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 23:12: “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted” (cf. Luke 14:11; 18:14). Paul, too, echoed the same saying of Jesus in 2 Cor 11:7 (cf. 12:21). It is possible, also, that the song behind Philippians 2:5–11 was already at work in the messianic community; there Jesus is the example of the one who humbled himself (2:8). Peter also echoes the saying of Jesus (1 Pet 5:6). James 4:10 brings to final expression, not so much as the culmination but as the final way of calling the teachers to repentance, what we have already encountered in 4:6 and 4:7–9.
The humbling is not just about what the teachers have done or what has now been exposed; nor is this the dishonor they may experience. It refers, rather, to an existential disposition “before the Lord,” one that expresses accountability before God. It is not James they have offended with their selfish ambitions; it is not the community; the teachers have offended the Lord in their proud behaviors and attitudes. As Paul states it, no one can boast in God’s presence (1 Cor 1:29). Genuine humility is profoundly theological because it is a proper recognition of one’s place in this world before the creator, the holy, loving God.
James speaks against the pride of the teachers, as Jesus so graphically did as well (cf. Luke 18:14), and James’s promise that God will exalt them follows from the grace God gives to those who are humble (4:6ab). The promise of exaltation captures the reversal theme, but only if the zealous, ambitious, proud teachers will enter into a state of humility before God. Thus, Job 5:11: “he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.” The exaltation James has in mind does not appeal to the teachers’ zeal, ambition, and pride but takes them from their sinful condition into the realm of humble repentance and through that humiliation before God into the world of God’s blessing. The exalted place into which God will elevate them is nothing more than living before God properly, loving one’s neighbor as oneself, showing compassion for those in need, controlling the tongue, generating peace in the messianic community, and exercising gifts of teaching and leadership in the way God intended. Perhaps that state is best defined by 3:13: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.”
Repentance takes on its genius in this passage, not the least reason being that James never uses the typical word metanoia (“repentance”). First, repentance is about a person’s relationship, mind, and behaviors before God: it is profoundly theological. This is why this section begins and ends with the face of God (4:7, 8a, 10). Second, repentance leads to forgiveness that can be described in terms of purification (4:8b). Third, repentance is both embodied and emotive—as 4:9 makes clear. And, fourth, repentance leads to grace that elevates a person not into envy but into peacemaking, love, and compassionate deeds (4:10).

McKnight, S. (2011). The Letter of James (pp. 357–358). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

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HUMBLE YOURSELVES BEFORE THE LORD AND HE WILL LIFT YOU UP (4:10)

The prophets often declare that the Lord humbles the proud (1 Sam 2:7; Isa. 2:11–17; 26:5; Lam. 1:5; Ezek. 17:24; Hos. 14:9). Yet James does not say, “The Lord will humble you”; he says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord” (4:10). Therefore we do not wait for God or for circumstances to humble us. It is our duty to humble ourselves. James does not specify how we do this, but he does drop a hint in the phrase “before the Lord.”
If we remember that all we do is “before the Lord,” if his holiness is our standard, it is easier to humble ourselves. But if we compare ourselves to others, it is far easier to avoid humility. If a parent chides a child for a messy room, the child runs to the excuse, “You think my room is bad—you should see …,” whereupon the child names the messiest child he knows. Adults do the same thing when their flaws appear. We think, “I have a problem, but I’m not nearly so bad as so-and-so.” When we compare ourselves to others, we can always find someone who is worse. But if we compare ourselves to the Lord, who is the absolute standard, the excuse disappears and we are more likely to humble ourselves. When he stood before the Lord, even the prophet Isaiah, a godly man who served as God’s mouth, declared, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips” (Isa. 6:5 NASB). In a sense, he still compared himself to his countrymen, but not in a way that excused his sin.8 When God is the standard, humility comes easily.
If we humble ourselves, if we admit that we sin, and that we are sinful, and that we cannot reform ourselves, then, James promises, the Lord will lift us up. This is the gospel according to James. James does not mention the atonement of Christ, the cross of Christ, or the resurrection of Christ. He states the gospel his own way, a way deeply influenced by the teachings of Jesus. James says there is an antithesis, a choice between two ways of life: a way of selfish ambition and a way of purity and peace (3:13–18). We can be a friend of God or a friend of the world (4:4). We can be proud or humble and repentant. Jesus says, “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11; 18:14). James says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” When we grieve over our sins and turn to him in faith, he will extend his redeeming grace. When we come to God in repentance and humility, he will forgive us and lift us up.

Doriani, D. M. (2007). James (R. D. Phillips, P. G. Ryken, & D. M. Doriani, Eds.; pp. 151–152). P&R Publishing.

Seeing things with the wisdom of true humility | Reformation Scotland

In a culture which celebrates self-promotion and self-congratulation, it can be difficult for the grace of humility to flourish. Even in the church there is a resistance to self-questioning and pride can manifest itself in subtle ways in our opinions and self-opinion. Comparing the greatness of our holy God with how small and sinful we are, the only wise response is to accept that pride has no place in our relationship with God, or indeed with each other. But it would be a mistake to think that we attain humility by harshly running ourselves down, or that true humility rejects the possibility of getting restoration and dignity from our kind Saviour. Instead humility has the wisdom to see things just the way that God sees them. William Guthrie was on the alert against various forms of warped thinking among the people he pastored. In the following updated extract from his preaching, William Guthrie shows that humility is wiser than to let itself be scared away from God, but that humbling ourselves to see things as God sees them has various advantages.

The wisdom of humility

Discerns God’s ways

Although humility is prepared to come down very low and is very compliant with God’s will, yet it is most wise and sagacious in how it interprets all that God says or does to His people. Humility discerns that whatever God is doing, it is intended to save and not destroy His people. It discerns that all that God does is in order to bring them to Himself, and not to chase them away from Him.

Reads the Bible sensitively

True humility is wise to distinguish between spiritual truths and what are called “canonical” truths. [Humility does not read the Bible and latch on to isolated words that seem to be discouraging.] Every word of Scripture taken by itself is not “canonical,” as we can see from how God said one place, “I will deliver you no more,” whereas He delivered them many a time after that. Another time Jesus said, “I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Can statements like these literally be called canonical? They must agree with other Scriptures, and with the analogy of faith. Every place of Scripture, taken by itself, cannot be called canonical, until it is compared with other Scriptures and the analogy of faith.

Recognises sin for what it really is

True humility is most wise in recognising sin as the worst thing in the world.

It is also most charitable towards God in all His procedure, but most uncharitable to itself. True humility puts a good construction on all God does or says. If it cannot extricate itself by one particular truth, it will run to another that relates to the sovereignty of God. It still “deviseth liberally” of God (Isa. 32:8). What if I cannot see a consistency between such and such a promise, and what He seems to say in such and such a detail? What if I cannot see how such and such a particular work shall be brought about? Well, in this case, humility runs to some particular truth that is absolute, such as, “Marvelous in our eyes,” yet not marvellous with Him. Let Him do what pleases Him; for it is in His power.

Then, true humility still has true faith going along with it. It dares not question whether God will go to the bother of doing all these things, down to every last thing He has said in His word. He says, “In all the afflictions of his people, he is afflicted.” And yet all the world cannot tell how it is so. He has said that He “will save his people in due time.” He has said that He “will be a helper to them, and that right early.” True humility dares not question these things, since He has said it shall be so, even though in the meantime He is breaking them in the place of dragons (Psa. 44:19), and they see the wicked “flourish as a green bay-tree.”

Takes the utmost care to do what God wants

True humility is almost pedantically scrupulous, for it dares not dispute any of the commands of Him whose will is law (a prerogative that belongs to no sovereign power on earth). If God commands in His own name that any who see their need should believe in His Son, true humility must do it. He commands the man who brings his idols this day to be slain by the death of Christ, to take communion as a seal of the pardon of his sins and a seal of all the promises that He has ever spoken. Those who are truly humble know that it belongs to them to perform duties, and not to debate commanded duty.

Then true humility will weather out many blasts, and ward off many assaults. It sees a reason why it does not get this or that thing it wants at such and such a time; and why God deals this way, and not another way, with His people. It sees a reason for all these things.

Then true humility will not be wiser than God; for it knows He sees a way to glorify Himself more in pardoning and saving the person by believing, than by letting him die or rot in the prison of sin through unbelief. He will never have so much glory in that way; for He is more glorified by you believing in Christ, than He would be if you burned in hell to eternity.

The advantages of humility

Leads to growth in grace

Therefore, you can see the advantages of true humility. Whoever has it, their condition is most promising for growth in grace, for “He giveth grace unto the humble.” He giveth more grace to the one who does not strive with Him, but keeps on taking and waiting for more.

If the Lord is giving out anything to His people, the humble one is the most likely to get something. He is the one who gets the quickest dispatches from heaven of any. For He hears the desire of the humble. In fact, even if it only comes to a desire, it will be answered. That is a great advantage! If one who has true humility happens to fall or make a slip, that man or woman has a promise of being raised and restored again. “To this man will I look, that is of a humble or contrite heart.”

Gets God’s guidance

Then this humble frame has a great advantage in this respect, that God will let those who have it know what way to go in a dark and cloudy day sooner than anyone else, Indeed, and they will keep to the way when many others run wrong. Here it is: “The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way.” Even supposing in other ways this person is a fool, he is assured (and this is worth a great deal in an evil day) that nothing will make him stumble.

The integrity of humility

Let me then exhort you to beware of false humility. Don’t argue with God. Don’t put yourself lower than where He would have you. Don’t say, as if it was something very humble, that you won’t come back to Him again with reiterated guilt, and faults that you have done over and over again, and confessed very often before Him There is no other way for you to go — no other way to get your case helped.

Don’t turn up your nose at crumbs, but remember that in true humility lies your best frame of spirit and most sure way of deliverance. Get to grips with all your sins, and commit to doing all that God charges you with as to sin and corruption, and yet cleave closely to Him. Any bit that falls to your share, take it, and keep weeping and seeking for more.

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Source: Seeing things with the wisdom of true humility

WEEK 43 | Humility and Service

THEME

We cry out to God for help, trusting him and asking him to show us the right ways to live (Ps 25:1–9), and he meets our needs even when we are undeserving (Ex 17:1–7). In turn, we need to consider others better than ourselves and be willing to help them in their need (Phil 2:1–13). We repent of our sins and believe in God (Mt 21:23–32).

OPENING PRAYER: Proper 21

Lord, you know those who are sore stricken and heavy of heart. As their days, so let their strength be. Heal the sick, comfort the weary, succor the tempted, give peace to the dying and light at eventide.… Watch over us who are still in our dangerous voyage, and remember such as lie exposed to the rough storms of trouble and temptations. Frail is our vessel, and the ocean is wide; but as in your mercy you have set our course, so steer the vessel of our life toward the everlasting shore of peace, and bring us at length to the quiet haven of our heart’s desire, where you, O our God, are blessed, and live and reign for ever and ever. [Amen.] Augustine

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Ezekiel 18:1–4, 25–32

REFLECTIONS FROM THE CHURCH FATHERS

The Justice of God. JEROME: How good and just is the God of the law and the prophets, who keeps quiet and remains silent before the sins of the fathers, and gives back to those who have not sinned! Commentary on Ezekiel 6.

It Is Our Fault If We Make Heavy Going of Taking the Yoke of Christ. JOHN CASSIAN: When we make the Lord’s yoke heavy, with blasphemous spirit we accuse as harsh and rough either the yoke itself or Christ who imposes it. Conference 24.25.5.

Repentance Leads to the Promised Land. JEROME: These words show us that the mind must not fail to believe in the promised blessings and give way to despair; and that the soul once marked out for perdition must not refuse to apply remedies on the ground that its wounds are past curing. Letter 122.1.

The God of the Living Is the God of the New Heart. JEROME: “Get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit” means leaving behind the old age of the letter, and living in the newness of the spirit. The new heart of Israel is to believe in him who before had denied them; the new heart is to forsake the idols of the Gentiles, to despise dead things, and to believe in him who is “God of the living.” Commentary on Ezekiel 6.

Believers Must Live. PACHOMIUS: Why are you dying? Do not go into the trap. These are the reminders given to the believers, that by walking in them and striving in the commandments they will do the works worthy of eternal life. Letters 3.9.

Repentance Means Recognizing First of All That We Are Dead. JEROME: “I do not want you to die.” He did not say “turn,” unless those who were once with God and afterwards deserted his company and “live” through penitence, you who are dead through sin. Therefore Israel is believed to be dead because she does not turn back to her original state. Commentary on Ezekiel 6.

Forgiveness Means Healing. BASIL THE GREAT: Remember the compassion of God, how he heals with olive oil and wine. Do not despair of salvation. Recall the memory of what has been written, how he that falls rises again, and he that is turned away turns again, he that has been smitten is healed, he that is caught by wild beasts escapes, and he that confesses is not rejected. The Lord does not want the death of the sinner, but that he return and live. Do not be contemptuous like one who has fallen into the depths of sins. Letter 44.

Confession Means Asking for Forgiveness, a Prayer Always Heeded. CASSIODORUS: The prayer which frees us from faults wins the heart of the judge and wipes away sins; mercy cannot be withheld from the one who asks for it, as humility fires us to pray unceasingly for forgiveness. All this is achieved by the devoted Lord, for he does not wish to condemn those whom he forewarns. Expositions of Psalm 140.1.

PSALM OF RESPONSE: Psalm 25:1–9

NEW TESTAMENT READING: Philippians 2:1–13

REFLECTIONS FROM THE CHURCH FATHERS

Enslaved to Popularity. CHRYSOSTOM: Selfishness is the cause of all sorts of evils. From it comes strife and rivalry. From these come jealousy and contentiousness. Out of this that love grows cool when we are in love with human glory and become enslaved to the honors of popularity. One cannot be both a slave to popularity and a true servant of God. Homily on Philippians 6.2.1–4.

Equal to God. AUGUSTINE: God who is eternally wise has with him his eternal Wisdom [the Son]. He is not in any way unequal to the Father. He is not in any respect inferior. For the apostle too says “who, when he was in the form of God, thought it no robbery to be equal with God.” On Faith and the Creed 5.

Whether Humility Is Lack of Power. CHRYSOSTOM: When someone who has the power to think great thoughts humbles himself, that one is humble. But when his humility comes from impotence, that is not what you would call humility.… It is a humility of a greater sort to refrain from seizing power, to be “obedient to death.” Homily on Philippians 7.2.5–8.

The Emptying as a Lesson in Humility. AMBROSIASTER: Christ, therefore, knowing himself to be in the form of God, showed himself equal to God. But in order to teach the law of humility when the Jews were binding him, he not only refrained from resistance but emptied himself, that is, withheld his power from taking effect, so that in his humiliation he seemed to be weakened as his power lay idle. Epistle to the Philippians 2.8.1.

The Sovereignty Temporarily Under Submission. NOVATIAN: The sovereignty of the divine Word temporarily submitted to assume a man and for a season humbled himself and abased himself, not exercising his nature through his powers, while he bore the man that he had assumed. He emptied himself when he bowed to injuries and slanders, when he heard unspeakable insults and suffered indignities. On the Trinity 22.8–9.

His Humbling Becomes Our Example. CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: He humbled himself, according to the Scriptures, taking on himself the form of a slave. He became like us that we might become like him. The work of the Spirit seeks to transform us by grace into a perfect copy of his humbling. Festal Letter 10.4.

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 21:23–32

REFLECTIONS FROM THE CHURCH FATHERS

Liars Will Lie to Themselves. ANONYMOUS: “They answered Jesus, saying, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.’ ” He did not say, “Neither do I know.” It was as if he had said, “You know the truth because you are men, but you deny it because you are evil; I know it because I am God, but I will not tell you because you are unworthy.” Liars will lie to themselves if they have no one to deceive. Similarly truth will keep itself pure if it finds no one to save. Incomplete Work on Matthew, Homily 39.

The Two Sons. ANONYMOUS: Who is this if not the God who created all people and loves them with a fatherly affection, the God who preferred to be loved as a father rather than feared as a lord, even though he was Lord by nature? On this account, at the beginning of the commandments of the law, he did not say,” You shall fear the Lord with all your heart” but “you shall love the Lord with all your heart.” To elicit love is not characteristic of a lord but of a father. Incomplete Work on Matthew, Homily 40.

Do Not Promise, Then Renege. ANONYMOUS: What does it mean to work in the vineyard? To work in the vineyard is to do justice. We noted above that the vineyard is the justice that God has planted generally in the nature of all people but more particularly in the Jewish Scriptures. Each vine in the vineyard represents a different type of justice, and each person, according to his individual virtues, produces either more or fewer vines.… It is better to do the righteousness of God without promising to do so than it is to promise and then to renege. Incomplete Work on Matthew, Homily 40.

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, who stretched out your hands on the cross and redeemed us by your blood, forgive me, a sinner, for none of my thoughts are hidden from you. Pardon I ask, pardon I hope for, pardon I trust to have. You who are pitiful and merciful, spare and forgive me. The Ambrosian Liturgy

Oden, T. C., & Crosby, C., eds. (2007). Ancient Christian Devotional: A Year of Weekly Readings: Lectionary Cycle A (pp. 218–222). IVP Books.

Evening, April 5 | “Before honour is humility.”—Proverbs 15:33

Humiliation of soul always brings a positive blessing with it. If we empty our hearts of self God will fill them with his love. He who desires close communion with Christ should remember the word of the Lord, “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Stoop if you would climb to heaven. Do we not say of Jesus, “He descended that he might ascend?” so must you. You must grow downwards, that you may grow upwards; for the sweetest fellowship with heaven is to be had by humble souls, and by them alone. God will deny no blessing to a thoroughly humbled spirit. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” with all its riches and treasures. The whole exchequer of God shall be made over by deed of gift to the soul which is humble enough to be able to receive it without growing proud because of it. God blesses us all up to the full measure and extremity of what it is safe for him to do. If you do not get a blessing, it is because it is not safe for you to have one. If our heavenly Father were to let your unhumbled spirit win a victory in his holy war, you would pilfer the crown for yourself, and meeting with a fresh enemy you would fall a victim; so that you are kept low for your own safety. When a man is sincerely humble, and never ventures to touch so much as a grain of the praise, there is scarcely any limit to what God will do for him. Humility makes us ready to be blessed by the God of all grace, and fits us to deal efficiently with our fellow men. True humility is a flower which will adorn any garden. This is a sauce with which you may season every dish of life, and you will find an improvement in every case. Whether it be prayer or praise, whether it be work or suffering, the genuine salt of humility cannot be used in excess.

Spurgeon, C. H. (1896). Morning and evening: Daily readings. Passmore & Alabaster.

March 31 | THE SUMMATION OF HUMILITY

  “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.”

ROMANS 13:8

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 If believers fulfill their constant debt of love, they will have a continual attitude of sacrificial humility.

Origen, the early church father, wisely said, “The debt of love remains with us permanently and never leaves us. This is a debt which we pay every day and forever owe.” The primary reason you and I can pay that debt is that “the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Rom. 5:5). God’s own love to us and every other believer is the bottomless well from which we can draw and then share with others.
If we have this wonderful, supernatural resource of love through the Holy Spirit, it only follows that we must submit to the Spirit. When we do so, all the enemies and impediments to humility—pride, unjustified power–grabbing, selfish ambition, partisanship, hatred—will melt away. What an overwhelming thought to consider that such humility can be ours because God Himself, through His Spirit, is teaching us to love as we yield to Him (1 Thess. 4:9).
At every turn we see humility going hand in hand with godly love. Genuine love never turns its “freedom into an opportunity for the flesh” (Gal. 5:13). It will not do anything to cause another Christian to fall into sin or even be offended in his conscience (Rom. 14:21). Love that is from God will “be kind to one another, tender–hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven [us]” (Eph. 4:32).
The greatest test of love and humility is the willingness to sacrifice for the good of others. As we have already seen in our study of humility, Jesus was the ultimate example of this (Phil. 2:5–8). Our supreme demonstration of humility is when we imitate Him: “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).

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Suggestions for Prayer: Pray for an occasion today to show some facet of biblical love to another person. ✧ If nothing develops today, keep praying that the Lord would make you alert for future opportunities.

For Further Study: First John 4 is a wonderful chapter on God’s love and its meaning for believers. According to the apostle, how can we know truth from error? ✧ What benefits derive from God’s love?

MacArthur, J. (1997). Strength for today. Crossway Books.

March 29 | SERVANTHOOD: HUMILITY IN ACTION

  “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.”

MATTHEW 20:26–27

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 In God’s sight, greatness is marked by a humble, servant’s heart.

Bible commentator R.C.H. Lenski once wrote that God’s “great men are not sitting on top of lesser men, but bearing lesser men on their backs.” Jesus would have agreed with Lenski’s observation, but He did not see it as wrong to desire greater usefulness to God. Those standards of usefulness, however, are much more demanding than any worldly ideals for self–serving, domineering leadership. For example, Paul lists for us the high standards God has for church overseers (1 Tim. 3:1–7). God considers men great who are among those willing to be servants.
In Matthew 20:26–27, Jesus was speaking of genuine servanthood, not the “public servant” who merely uses his position to gain power and personal prestige. The original Greek word for “servant” referred to a person who did menial labor and was the lowest level of hired help. Jesus could have used a more noble word to denote obedient discipleship, but He picked this one (from which we get deacon) because it best described the selfless humility of one who served.
But in verse 27, Jesus intensifies His description of God’s way to greatness. He tells us if we want to be great in His kingdom, we must be willing to be slaves. Whereas servants had some personal freedom, slaves were owned by their masters and could go only where their masters allowed and do only what their masters wanted. The application for us as believers is that “whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Rom. 14:8).
If you desire real spiritual greatness, you will be willing to work in the hard place, the lonely place, the place where you’re not appreciated. You’ll be willing to strive for excellence without becoming proud, and to endure suffering without getting into self–pity. It is to these godly attitudes and more that Christ will say, “Well done, good and faithful slave … enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21).

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Suggestions for Prayer: Ask the Lord to help you cultivate a servant’s heart.

For Further Study: Read 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and make a list of the qualifications for an overseer (elder). ✧ Meditate on the implications of each trait, and write down ways in which humility relates to these leadership qualities.

MacArthur, J. (1997). Strength for today. Crossway Books.

March 28 | ENEMIES OF HUMILITY: PARTISANSHIP

  “… That no one of you might become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.”

1 CORINTHIANS 4:6

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 Genuine humility among Christians will leave no room for arrogant partisanship.

The Corinthian church was a notorious illustration of the sin of partisanship among believers. Its partisanship—some members claimed allegiance to Paul, some to Apollos, and some to Cephas (Peter)—was essentially caused by pride. Paul, as author of 1 Corinthians, vigorously opposed such pride of divisions, as Apollos and Peter would have.
The Corinthian believers did have reason to be thankful to God for sending them such quality leaders. And it was right for those in Corinth to respect and honor their spiritual elders. Scripture says, “Appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction” (1 Thess. 5:12). However, the Corinthians went far beyond God’s Word and exalted the leaders for the prideful sake of themselves, the followers, thus creating partisan sects.
Such partisan spirit, even on behalf of godly leaders, always leads to hostility toward other faithful servants of God. And the motivation behind all this is pride, which is essentially having an inflated (arrogant) view of yourself, one that says “I’m for me.” When pride rules the operations of any church, humility is forgotten, and fellowship and harmony are inevitably torn apart.
You can help prevent or counteract partisanship simply by considering that all the daily benefits you take for granted—food, housing, clothing, job, family—are yours because of God’s kind providence. And if you’re a Christian, you have eternal life, God’s Word, spiritual gifts, and many other blessings that are all of grace. The apostle James reminds us, “Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17).
So again we see that God gives us every reason to be humble and leaves no place for pride and partisanship. If you have a good pastor and good elders or deacons, humbly thank God for them. You and your leaders are all stewards of God, entrusted for a short while to serve Him with His resources.

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Suggestions for Prayer: Pray that the Lord would help you be a positive influence for humility and harmony, rather than for pride and partisanship.

For Further Study: Read Acts 14:8–18. How did the people of Lystra react to Paul and Barnabas? ✧ How difficult was it for Paul and Barnabas to correct the people’s errors?

MacArthur, J. (1997). Strength for today. Crossway Books.

March 24 | JESUS’ HUMILITY IN DEATH

  “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

PHILIPPIANS 2:8

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 In His suffering and death, Jesus is our supreme example of humility.

We naturally react to injustice with deep hurt and an assertion of our rights. But Jesus’ response to His accusers did not include one word of angry defensiveness. Matthew 27:12–14 tells us: “And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He made no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, ‘Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?’ And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so that the governor was quite amazed.”
Later on, during His sham trial, Jesus continued to humble Himself. He accepted sinful men’s abuse when they whipped Him, stripped off His robe, planted a crown of thorns on His head, mocked Him, spat on Him, and beat on Him with a reed. Christ did not even demand His rights when He was condemned to death and forced to walk to Calvary half–naked with a cross on His back.
Today’s verse underscores the most shocking aspect of Christ’s humiliation: the kind of death He died. He endured crucifixion, the cruelest form of death ever devised. The Romans used it to execute rebellious slaves and the worst criminals. Because He was King of the Jews, Jesus’ death on the cross was seen as especially horrible by His people. The Jews had long known what the Law of Moses said: “He who is hanged [on a tree] is accursed of God” (Deut. 21:23). From everyone’s standpoint, the Son of God suffered the ultimate in human degradation.
But in spite of the detestable treatment He suffered, Christ graciously and lovingly died for sinners like you and me. Such an example of selfless humility ought to motivate us, His followers, as we minister to others, “since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

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Suggestions for Prayer: Give thanks that Jesus’ example of humility extended all the way to His willingness to redeem you.

For Further Study: Read one of the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ suffering and death (Matt. 26–27; Mark 14–15; Luke 22–23; John 18–19). Record some observations about His general attitude during the ordeal. ✧ In what situations and ways does He show humility? ✧ If you have time, compare and contrast two of the accounts.

MacArthur, J. (1997). Strength for today. Crossway Books.

March 22 | THE HUMILITY OF JESUS’ SERVANTHOOD

  “Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond–servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”

PHILIPPIANS 2:6–7

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 Jesus is the role model of the suffering servant.

Jesus not only gave up His divine privileges when He emptied Himself, but He also became a servant. For us, this is the next phase in His supreme example of humility. Paul’s phrase “the form of a bond–servant” can also be translated “the essence of a slave.” Christ’s servanthood was not just external—it extended to the essential, down–to–earth role of a bond–slave doing the will of His Father.
We would expect Jesus, the God–man, to be a servant only in the truest fashion. His servitude was not performed like a stage player putting on and taking off the costume of a servant. Jesus truly became a servant. He perfectly fulfilled everything Isaiah predicted about Him (52:13–14). Jesus was the Messiah who was a suffering servant.
Christ’s entire earthly ministry is the yardstick by which we can measure servanthood. As God, He owned everything; as the servant, He had to borrow everything: a place to be born, a boat in which to cross the Sea of Galilee and preach from, a donkey (itself a symbol of humility and servitude) to ride into Jerusalem for His triumphal entry, a room to celebrate His final Passover in, and a grave to be buried in.
Our Savior acknowledged His role as a servant very simply: “I am among you as the one who serves” (Luke 22:27). And it was all done with love, with consistency, with humility, without the pretense of outward form.
As we continue to look to our Lord Jesus as the role model of humility, the challenge for us is to follow His attitude and practice. Paul instructs those who would be servants of Christ, “Let love be without hypocrisy…. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:9–11).

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Suggestions for Prayer: Thank and praise the Lord that Jesus was such a humble but willing servant on your behalf.

For Further Study: Isaiah 52:13–53:12 is known as the Suffering Servant passage. As you read it, write down the various ways it describes Jesus’ suffering. ✧ How is His humility in evidence?

MacArthur, J. (1997). Strength for today. Crossway Books.

March 20 | NO PRIDE OF POSITION

  “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.”

PHILIPPIANS 2:5–6

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 Christ’s coming to earth is the supreme example to us of humility.

We can usually identify with what someone else has experienced when we have gone through the same thing. Even if we haven’t been through what the other person has, we can perhaps relate because we might someday have a similar experience.
However, it is much harder to comprehend what Christ experienced when He stooped from His lofty position at the right hand of God to come to earth as a man. We’ll never understand the magnitude of that descent because we never were and never will be God. Nevertheless, today’s passage presents, as a pattern for us, Jesus’ attitude in coming to this world.
As a Spirit–filled believer (Eph. 1:3–5, 13), the Lord has lifted you out of your sin and given you the privilege of being His adopted child. He thereby allows you to recognize and appreciate a little more what humility is all about. Like Jesus, you will have to descend from an exalted level when you reach out in humility to those who don’t know Him.
Jesus further set the standard for us when He did not view His high position “a thing to be grasped.” Loftiness of calling should never be something we clench as a prized personal possession to exploit for our own benefit. That is the attitude we would expect to see in worldly people of influence. But it should not characterize those who claim to follow Jesus’ standard.
In contrast, if you are Christ’s disciple you will see more and more of His humility in your life. That will occur as you continually exercise a selfless attitude toward the privileges and possessions He has given you. By not clinging to these benefits, you will truly exemplify Jesus’ attitude and more effectively serve others: “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor” (Rom. 12:10).

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Suggestions for Prayer: Pray that, starting today, God would grant you more and more of a Philippians 2:5–6 attitude.

For Further Study: As Ephesians 1 spells out, you have much to be thankful for as a child of God. Read the entire chapter, and list the many spiritual benefits Paul describes. Try memorizing several verses that are particularly striking to you.

MacArthur, J. (1997). Strength for today. Crossway Books.

March 18 | PLACING OTHERS ABOVE YOURSELF

  “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself.”

PHILIPPIANS 2:3

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 One important way to prevent factionalism in the church is to regard other members as more important than yourself.

Humility of mind” is a distinctive New Testament expression. There were similar terms in secular writings, but none that exactly fit the purposes of the New Testament writers. One form of the Greek word was used to describe the mentality of a slave. It was a term of derision, signifying anyone who was considered base, common, shabby, or low. Among pagans before Christ’s time, humility was never a trait to be sought or admired. Thus the New Testament introduced a radically new concept.
In Philippians 2:3 Paul defines “humility of mind” simply as seeing others as more important than yourself. But how often do we really consider others that way? Frequently, even within the church, we think just the opposite of what Paul commands. For example, we are sometimes prone to criticize those with whom we minister. It is naturally easier for us to speak of their faults and failures than it is to refer to our own.
But Paul’s attitude was different. He knew his own heart well enough to call himself the worst of sinners: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all” (1 Tim. 1:15). The apostle was also humble enough to realize that in his own strength he was not worthy of the ministry to which he had been called: “I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle” (1 Cor. 15:9).
Your knowledge of others’ sins and graces is based on their outward words and actions, not on what you can read from their hearts. But you, like Paul, do know your own heart and its sinful shortcomings (cf. Rom. 7). That ought to make it much easier to respect and honor others before yourself. And when you do that, you are helping prevent factionalism in your church and contributing to the edification of fellow believers.

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Suggestions for Prayer: Examine your life and ask God to help you turn from anything that would be keeping you from “humility of mind.”

For Further Study: Read Genesis 13, and notice what happened between Abraham and his nephew Lot. How did God reassure Abraham after his graciousness toward Lot?

MacArthur, J. (1997). Strength for today. Crossway Books.

17 MARCH (1861) | Humility

“Serving the Lord with all humility.” Acts 20:19
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Philippians 2:3–11

Pride can shut the door in the face of Christ. Only let us take out our tablets and write down “God is for me, therefore let me be proud;” only let us say with Jehu, “Come, and I will show thee my zeal for the Lord of Hosts,” and God’s presence will soon depart from us, and Ichabod be written on the front of the house. And let me say to those of you who have already done much for Christ as evangelists, ministers, teachers, or what not, do not sit down and congratulate yourselves upon the past. Let us go home and think of all the mistakes we have made; all the errors we have committed, and all the follies into which we have been betrayed, and I think instead of self-congratulation we shall say, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Let us humble ourselves before God. You know there is a deal of difference between being humble and being humbled. He that will not be humble shall be humbled. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God and he shall lift you up, lest he leave you because you hold your head so high. And should I be addressing any here this morning who are very much exalted by the nobility of rank, who have what the poet calls “The pride of heraldry, the pomp of power,” be humble, I pray you. If any man would have friends, let him be humble. Humility never did any man any hurt. If you stoop down when you pass through a doorway, if it should be a high one, you will not be hurt by stooping; but if it should be a low one, you might have knocked your head if you had held it up.

FOR MEDITATION: We have no end of sins to be ashamed of. Let us be proud only of the Gospel of our Saviour, who so humbled himself for our sakes. We ought to boast only of the Lord (2 Corinthians 10:17), otherwise boasting is groundless (Romans 3:27).

SERMON NO. 365

Spurgeon, C. H., & Crosby, T. P. (1998). 365 Days with Spurgeon (Volume 1) (p. 83). Day One Publications.

March 15 | THREATS TO HUMILITY: RICHES AND WEALTH

  “Walk … with all humility.”

EPHESIANS 4:1–2

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 Our possessions and positions in life are from God; we can’t take credit for them.

Many today take pride in their economic status. They boast about their riches and trust their money, thinking they must be great for acquiring all they have. But remember what Moses said to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land: “You may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.’ But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth” (Deut. 8:17–18). Everything you have, God gave to you. Don’t parade your possessions as if you obtained them through your self–created abilities.
A related area is pride in one’s class, which involves looking down on those in “lower” levels of society. Such people don’t want lower–class people in their neighborhoods and certainly wouldn’t invite them to dinner. If you are guilty of this sort of pride, keep in mind that God loves poor people. Jesus Himself was poor in this world and spent most of His time ministering to the poor.
Sometimes in moving up the social ladder, people may demand a certain kind of treatment. They expect the best of everything and get offended when they don’t receive it. One of the things Jesus criticized the scribes and Pharisees for was this: “They love the place of honor at banquets, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called by men, Rabbi” (Matt. 23:6–7). Resist the temptation to seek worldly honor, glamour, and privileges.
Advertisers today continually entice us to draw attention to ourselves by what we wear. But undue attention to appearance can make people haughty, boastful, and indulgent, trying to show themselves as better than others. God hates that sin (Isa. 3:16–26).
John said, “Do not love the world, nor the things in the world…. The world is passing away, and also its lusts” (1 John 2:15, 17). Don’t let the world tell you what you should seek or value. Remember instead that “the one who does the will of God abides forever” (v. 17).

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Suggestions for Prayer: Ask the Lord to give you contentment with your present status and to help you reach out to those not so blessed.

For Further Study: Read Luke 14:8–10; 1 Timothy 2:9–10; and James 2:2–8 and see if you are guilty of materialism or social pride.

MacArthur, J. (1997). Strength for today. Crossway Books.

March 14 | THREATS TO HUMILITY: STRENGTH AND BOASTING

  “Walk … with all humility.”

EPHESIANS 4:1–2

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 Satan will tempt us to be proud of our abilities and accomplishments, but we must remember that every good thing we have is from God.

We’ve just studied three steps to humility. Let’s look at the issue from another angle: What kinds of pride threaten to destroy our humility? Where will we struggle to be humble? There are several areas in which Satan will attack us.
The first area I call ability pride. We’re often tempted to be proud of our strong points, not our weak ones. I’ve never been tempted to boast of my fantastic mathematical ability because I have none. But I am tempted to be proud of my preaching because it is my spiritual gift. Thankfully, the Lord helps me deal with such thoughts. It might come in the form of a letter saying, “I was in your church Sunday, and I violently disagree with everything you said.” Or someone might tell me, “We came to hear you for the first time, but we like our pastor better.” Times like those help me keep the proper perspective.
The key to overcoming ability pride is remembering that every gift you have is from God. All the credit belongs to Him. As Paul said to the Corinthians, “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Cor. 4:7).
Another temptation is verbal pride, or bragging. There is a tendency in human nature to tell people what good we have done or plan to do. People get into a conversation, and soon they’re trying to top each other with their accomplishments. In contrast, Hannah asserts, “Boast no more so very proudly, do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge; and with Him actions are weighed” (1 Sam. 2:3). God knows the truth about what you have done. Proverbs 27:2 instructs, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth.”
As a test, try to get through an entire week without talking about what you’ve done. Perhaps for a starter, try to last an afternoon. When people don’t talk about themselves, the absence of boasting tells volumes about their character.

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Suggestions for Prayer: Repent of any pride in your own abilities or accomplishments.

For Further Study: The apostle Paul had tremendous advantages and abilities but refused to boast about them. Read Philippians 3:4–11. What were Paul’s accomplishments? ✧ How did he consider them? ✧ What was most important to him?

MacArthur, J. (1997). Strength for today. Crossway Books.

March 11 | UNDERSTANDING WHO WE ARE

  “Walk … with all humility.”

EPHESIANS 4:1–2

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 The first step to humility is understanding our sinfulness.

I’ll never forget a meeting I had at my house with some seminary students. One student asked me, very seriously, “John, how did you finally overcome pride?” I said jokingly, “Well, it was two years ago when I finally licked it, and it’s never been a problem since then. It’s so wonderful to be constantly humble.” Of course, I have not completely overcome pride; it’s a battle I face every day. Satan makes sure we always struggle with it.
Overcoming pride in even one area is difficult, but Ephesians 4:2 requires “all humility.” Having some humility isn’t enough. We must have total, complete humility in every relationship, every attitude, and every act.
So we all have a lot of work to do. But where do we start? How can we become humble?
Humility begins with self–awareness. We need to look at ourselves honestly. We can mask who we really are and convince ourselves that we’re something wonderful. But we are sinners and need to confess our sins daily before God (cf. 1 John 1:9). Even Paul called himself the foremost of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15) and realized he had not yet reached the goal of Christlikeness (Phil. 3:12–14). Whenever you’re tempted to be proud, remember you haven’t arrived yet spiritually.
And don’t fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. Paul said, “We are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding” (2 Cor. 10:12). If we’re to be honest with ourselves and with God, we need to evaluate ourselves by an outside standard—God’s standard. Humility starts when we take off the rose–colored glasses of self–love so we can see ourselves as unworthy sinners. We must recognize our faults and confess our sins daily.

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Suggestions for Prayer: Confess any known sins to God, and ask for help in overcoming them. ✧ Ask God to keep you from comparing yourself to others instead of to His perfect standard.

For Further Study: Many consider Paul to be the greatest Christian who ever lived, but he viewed himself very differently. Read 1 Timothy 1:12–17. How did he see himself? ✧ As he saw his sinfulness, what was his response to God?

MacArthur, J. (1997). Strength for today. Crossway Books.

March 10 | HUMILITY ON DISPLAY

  “Walk … with all humility.”

EPHESIANS 4:1–2

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 Christ showed us humility by becoming a man and living as a servant.

Humility is not a very popular concept in our society, is it? We are taught to pursue honor and recognition from a young age. When my children were young, they stacked up trophies to the point of absurdity. Award shows are commonplace on television. We seem to have prizes for everything.
Humility is an elusive quality. The moment you think you are humble is the moment you forfeit it. But humility is the heart of the worthy walk; that’s why Paul listed it here first. No matter how elusive it is, we must keep striving for it.
The Greek word for humility is a compound word. The first part means “low.” In a metaphorical sense it was used to mean “poor” or “unimportant.” The second part of the word means “to think” or “to judge.” The combined meaning is to think of yourself as lowly or unimportant.
Did you know this word never appears in classical Greek? It had to be coined by Christians. The Greeks and Romans had no word for humility because they despised that attitude. They mocked and looked down on anyone who thought of himself as lowly.
In contrast, Christ taught the importance of humility and was our greatest example of that virtue. The exalted Lord Jesus was born in a stable. During His ministry He never had a place to lay His head. He owned only the garments on His body. He washed His disciples’ feet, doing the job of a slave (John 13:3–11). When He died, He was buried in a borrowed tomb.
When the evangelical Moravian Brethren of Germany heard about slavery in the West Indies, they were told it was impossible to reach the slave population there because the slaves were separated from the ruling classes. In 1732 two Moravians offered to go and be slaves on the plantations and teach other slaves about Christ. They toiled at the sides of their fellow slaves, and the slaves listened because the two Moravians had humbled themselves. In a small way, that illustrates what Christ did for us: He humbled Himself by becoming a man so we could be saved.

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Suggestions for Prayer: Ask God to help you walk in Christlike humility.

For Further Study: Read about Christ’s example of humility in Philippians 2:5–11. What was His attitude toward Himself, and how can you emulate His humility?

MacArthur, J. (1997). Strength for today. Crossway Books.

March 1 | GRACE TO THE HUMBLE

  “He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ ”

JAMES 4:6

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 A person cannot be saved unless he comes to God with a humble attitude.

Today’s verse is a challenge and a promise to anyone who is not sure about his salvation, or who thinks he is saved but does not measure up to the tests of faith in James’s letter. Even the worst sinful character traits—relying on worldly wisdom, having enmity against God, lusting after fleshly and selfish desires—are no match for God’s abundant grace.
The kind of grace James is referring to here is simply God’s saving grace—His undeserved favor of forgiveness and love bestowed on all sorts of sinners. Included within that favor is the Lord’s promise of the Holy Spirit, an understanding of God’s Word, Heaven, and all spiritual blessings. Such grace is available to all who will come in faith to Christ. Nothing in this universe can prevent the truly humble and repentant person from receiving grace—not the strength of sin and depravity, not the might of Satan, not the pull of the flesh, not even the power of death.
Scripture often links humility with saving faith. That’s why James quoted from Proverbs 3:34 (“God is opposed to the proud”) to support his point in verse 6. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us: “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven” (18:3).
If you are confused or doubtful regarding your salvation, just ask yourself, “Have I humbly submitted myself to God in faith and repentance?” If you have humbled yourself before God, rejoice! You are by definition a believer, one of the humble. Otherwise, you need to pray with the attitude of the tax gatherer in Luke 18:13, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” and receive His abundant grace.

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Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for His continual grace, which He pours out to those who are humble before Him.

For Further Study: Read James 1–2. What tests of true faith are discussed there? ✧ How are we to respond to each of them? ✧ Reflect on your response to these issues in the past. How could you improve?

MacArthur, J. (1997). Strength for today. Crossway Books.

FEBRUARY 14 | RECOGNIZING OUR HUMILITY, PART 1

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.—MATT. 5:3

The Puritan Thomas Watson, in his book The Beatitudes, discusses many principles to help the believer recognize his or her humility—those spiritual fruits that enable us to determine whether or not humility is actually growing within us. Here are three.
First, if we are truly humble, we will be weaned from ourselves and have no more constant self-preoccupation. Paul expresses it beautifully this way: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20).
Second, if we are really humble we will be lost in the wonder of Jesus Christ. We will contemplate “as in a mirror the glory of the Lord … being transformed into the same image from glory to glory” (2 Cor. 3:18). We’ll look forward to the day when we’ll be just like our Lord.
And third, no matter how bad life’s situations get, we will not complain. We’ll understand that we deserve far worse than anything we experience in this life. When tragedy comes, our first response won’t be, “Why me, Lord?” Instead, we’ll fully appreciate that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18).

ASK YOURSELF
Could you honestly say you’re detecting growth in these three areas? It’s not “proud” to recognize it, to give God glory for what He’s producing in you by His Spirit. If you’re not seeing this kind of spiritual development, ask yourself what needs to change.

MacArthur, J. (2008). Daily readings from the life of Christ (p. 53). Moody Publishers.

FEBRUARY 11 | THE SUCCESS SYNDROME

If I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

PHILIPPIANS 2:17

American society is breeding a generation of Christians who primarily want to be successful. Seldom do they have a humble attitude of service. They are unwilling to make sacrifices for the cause of Christ because they have been taught, whether verbally or not, that Christians should be rich, famous, successful, and popular.
Such an orientation toward personal success rather than humble service is the opposite of what glorifies God. Living for the glory of God means knowing you are expendable and being ready to die, if necessary, to accomplish God’s ends. Such a humble attitude glorifies God.
To grow spiritually, we must lose ourselves in the lordship of Christ at the moment of salvation and allow Him to dominate our lives from then on. In doing so, we must seek only His glory—not our own comfort and success. We will not grow when we choose our own way or serve God with the wrong motive.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : a daily touch of God’s grace (p. 54). J. Countryman.