Overcoming Pride

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

- Philippians 2:1-11

“In humility count others more significant than yourselves” is a restatement of the second part of the Great Commandment and is what Christ did himself. It forms the basis for all Christian relationships. When it is not followed, there will be no unity within the Church. Paul points to Christ as the supreme example of humility, the humility of both a Lord and Savior. Pride leads to relational discord.

The humility of Jesus, disarmed the discord between God and humanity. The Father’s act of exaltation is a direct response to the Son’s obedience. Restored to the glorious status he had at the beginning but had voluntarily relinquished, Jesus is now acclaimed to be what he always was: Lord.

Where is pride a problem in your life? In which relationships? Pride can deceptively enter relationships. We need to be on the lookout for it and repent.

Prayer

O Thou who in almighty power was weak, and in perfect excellency was lowly, grant unto us the same mind. All that we have which is our own is naught; if we have any good in us it is wholly thy gift. O Savior, since thou, the Lord of heaven and earth, did humble thyself, grant unto us true humility, and make us like thyself; and then, of thine infinite goodness, raise us to thine everlasting glory; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost for ever and ever. Amen.

- Thomas Cranmer, 1489-1556