PART OF HUMILITY IS HAVING a preset mentality that determines thoughts like this:
"I care about those around me."
"Why do I have to be first? Today I'm going to help someone else win."
"It's my sincere desire to curb my competitive tendencies and turn that energy into encouraging at least one other person."
Now, before we get neck-deep into this unselfish lifestyle, we need to determine if it is, in fact, promoted in Scripture. Does the Bible come right up front and encourage living like this? I'll let you determine the answer. Read this New Testament statement slowly . . . and don't skip one word!
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Those words (there are many others) have a rare ring to them, don't they? In fact, some who read those verses might misunderstand and think I'm advocating inferiority. For your sake, two more biblical passages are needed:
I don't consider myself inferior in any way to these "super apostles" who teach such things. . . . You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these "super apostles," even though I am nothing at all.
Authentic humility in no way should be confused with incompetence or lack of assurance. As a matter of fact, it is doubtful that anyone who wrestles with an unhealthy self-image can correctly and adequately give to others.
Inferiority and unselfishness cannot coexist. There was nothing inferior about Jesus Christ, the Creator of the universe. But He laid all that glory aside for you . . . and for me. Pause, and let that sink in.
Devotional content taken from Good Morning, Lord . . . Can We Talk? by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2018. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a division of Tyndale House Ministries. All rights reserved. The full devotional can be purchased at tyndale.com.
Used with permission. All rights reserved.
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