The Power Of Humility
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” – James 4:10 (ESV)
James, the brother of Jesus, lays it out plainly: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a promise. When you choose to humble yourself, you’re placing yourself in the hands of God, trusting that He knows better than you do. You’re acknowledging that you can’t do it all on your own, and that’s exactly where God wants you to be.
Humility isn’t about thinking less of yourself; it’s about thinking of yourself less. It’s recognizing that everything you have—your talents, your resources, your very breath—comes from God. It’s the willingness to admit when you’re wrong, to seek forgiveness, and to put others before yourself. Jesus modeled this perfectly. Though He was God, He humbled Himself, taking on the form of a servant, even to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:6-8). That’s the ultimate example of humility, and it’s the standard we’re called to follow.
But here’s the catch: humility doesn’t come naturally. It’s not something you stumble into; it’s a choice. It’s a daily decision to lay down your pride, to surrender your plans to God, and to serve others with the love of Christ. And the beautiful thing is, when you do this, God promises to lift you up. He honors those who humble themselves before Him. He raises them up in His time, for His glory, and in ways that far surpass anything we could do on our own.
Think about the areas of your life where pride has taken root. Maybe it’s in your job, where you’ve been striving to prove yourself, to climb the ladder, to be recognized. Or perhaps it’s in your relationships, where you’ve been more focused on being right than being loving. Whatever it is, God is calling you to lay it down. Humble yourself, and trust that He will lift you up in due time.
As men, we’re often told to be the hero of our own story. But the truth is, we’re not the hero—Jesus is. Our role is to point others to Him, to show the world what it looks like to live a life surrendered to God. And that starts with humility.
So today, take a moment to humble yourself before the Lord. Acknowledge your need for Him, and ask Him to help you live out the humility of Christ in every area of your life. It’s in that place of surrender that you’ll find true strength, true purpose, and true honor in the eyes of God.
Prayer:
Father, I come before You today, recognizing that I can’t do this life on my own. I need You, Lord. Help me to humble myself before You, to surrender my pride, and to trust that You will lift me up in Your perfect timing. Teach me to serve others with the love and humility of Christ, and to live a life that brings glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Reflection:
Where in your life do you struggle with pride? How can you choose humility in those areas?
How can you model the humility of Christ in your relationships with others?
What does it look like for you to trust God to lift you up in His timing, rather than striving to make things happen on your own?
How can you actively serve others today, putting their needs before your own?