One of the symptoms of pride is an over-inflated view of self. Pride causes us to think highly of ourselves. It leads us to think that we are great and deserve to be treated as great as we are. If we want to be people of humility, we have to correct this mindset. We must have an accurate view of ourselves as sinners in need of a Savior. When we view ourselves in this way, it is impossible to be ruled by pride.
The apostle Paul calls us to live humbly without thinking too highly of ourselves in Romans 12. In this passage of Scripture, he calls Christ-followers to offer themselves as "a living sacrifice" to God in light of all He has done for us. Next, he tells us how to live this way. He writes, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think" (verse 2). One of the ways we can practice humility and lay down our pride is by sacrificing our lives to God and committing to live differently than the rest of the world. This kind of lifestyle requires that we lay down pride and walk in humility, making our lives about Christ instead of ourselves. Next, Paul warned, "Don't think you are better than you really are" (verse 3). In other words, Paul is calling us not to have an over-inflated view of ourselves. Instead, we are to view ourselves as people who would be lost in sin without Christ. When we have this perspective, it is impossible to hold on to pride because we understand that anything good in us is because of Christ.
What about you? Do you have an over-inflated sense of self today? Is there an area of your life where you think of yourself as greater than you are? It is time today to remember who we really are: sinners in need of the hope and healing of Christ. When we remember this, pride fades away in the light of the humility that comes from remembering who we are and what Christ has done for us.
In humility, confess your need for God today in prayer. Tell God that you are a sinner who needs His forgiveness, healing, and love. Confess that without Him, you would be lost in sin and hopeless. Thank Him for what He has done for you so that you can experience hope and eternal life with Him forever one day.
1And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord.
20 Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
