Day 11 – Read Proverbs 11
Prizes to Pursue, Pitfalls to Avoid
Proverbs 11 is filled with the Father’s passion for his son. This chapter dispenses God’s grace, revealing the greatness of humility to pursue, and the pitfalls of pride to avoid.
Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. – Proverbs 11:2 NLT
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Pride
Years ago, I was in a seminary preaching class. My college pastor and mentor, Scott, was our professor. To be honest, it was awful having to give a sermon before my peers. To make matters worse, I was the last student to give my speech that day.
Shortly after I spoke, Professor Scott told everyone to leave so he could give me feedback. I thought I was going to get a compliment. Scott looked me in the eye and gently said, “Rick, you just didn’t seem humble or broken before the Bible.” I was crushed. My mentor thought I was proud as I taught the Bible.
Steps to Overcoming Pride
It’s been 20 years now, and that message is still seared in my mind. In his book Humility: True Greatness, CJ Mahaney describes pride. It is when we “aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge our dependence upon Him.” Ouch!
Since pride is like a cork in the water, always poking itself up to be noticed, we must weaken it in these six ways:
- Learning the grace of God. (Ephesians 2:8)
- Casting my cares upon Him. (1 Peter 5:5-7)
- Staring at the stars and feeling my smallness. (Psalm 8:3-5)
- Seeing my need for Jesus. (John 15:5)
- Building a bigger view of Jesus. (Psalm 139:1-6)
- Pursuing the prize of humility. (Proverbs 11:2)
The Noble Choice of Humility
Being humble doesn't mean you have to hide your beliefs, strengths, and achievements. Author John Dickson, in his book Humilitas, says humility is the “noble choice to forgo your status, deploy your resources, or use your influence for the good of others before yourself.” Dickson adds that the humble person is marked by a “willingness to hold power in service to others.” Here are five more practical ways CJ Mahaney says we can weaken pride and cultivate humility.
- Identify the evidence of God’s grace in others.
- Encourage and serve others each day.
- Invite and pursue correction.
- Respond humbly to trials.
- Laugh often and often laugh at yourself.
Christ Is the Ultimate Example of Humility
Jesus is the ultimate example of humility. Let’s remember His forgiving grace for our pride. As we depend on God, continue to be grateful, and glorify Jesus (Psalm 115:3), the next generation will see true greatness, which is humility!
Dig Deeper
1. Read the six practical ways to weaken pride and cultivate humility. Pick two to focus on. Think of specific ways to apply these in your life.
2. Encouraging and serving others is a sign of humility. Who can you help today? Pick a time to serve them and put it on your calendar.
