How do we keep from being egotistical?
Matthew 3:11“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
Matthew 6:1“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.”
John 1:23John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”
John 3:30“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”
John the Baptist’s purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus. He became well-known preacher and prophet, readying Israel for the coming messiah. When Jesus came, John redirected his followers toward Jesus. Many of John’s crowds and disciples left to follow Jesus instead. But that was what John wanted. Because of his humility, those people came to know Jesus. Like John, we can keep from being egotistical by keeping our focus and purpose centered in Jesus.
Romans 12:16Live 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!
Galatians 6:3If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
Our egos are held in check when we have a proper perspective of God’s love for others as well as ourselves.
James 4:15-16What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.
God isn’t here to make our life stories go according to plans new envision. God is here to invite us into his greater story, and we should rejoice in the parts he gives us to play.
Isaiah 10:15Can the ax boast greater power than the person who uses it? Is the saw greater than the person who saws? Can a rod strike unless a hand moves it? Can a wooden cane walk by itself?
God has control and power in our lives, and he knows the purpose we were made for. We can trust his purpose for us and follow his lead.
Proverbs 3:5-7Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Faith is at the heart of humility. Pride seeks control, but humility releases that control and replaces it with trust in God’s control.
1 Timothy 6:17Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.
With wealth comes a temptation to be proud and feel that we don’t need God. But trusting in anything but God ultimately disappoints. God blesses and cares for his children.
1 Corinthians 1:31As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”
When we realize how great and awesome God is, we will learn that even the small glories we have to offer come from God anyway.
Philippians 2:3Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
We should look for and acknowledge the value of other people, rather than touting our own importance, rejoicing in the beauty and talents of the body of Christ.
1 Peter 5:5-6You who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
Every leader was first a follower, and even leaders have much to learn. We should respect the wisdom of the Christian leaders and advisors God has placed alongside us. One day, God may call us to use what we have learned to lead others in turn. Whether we are a leader or a follower, younger or older, we all must take on a humble disposition toward each other.
