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“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;” (Ephesians 4:1-2.)
Introduction
Most people in our generation think that self-worth is vital for personal growth and advancement in the world. For the believer in Christ the very opposite is true. Instead of living in pride, the follower of Christ must walk in humility if he is to truly represent Christ.
Wars and rumour of wars
It seems that there is no nation on earth that is at peace with its neighbours or even with its own people. There are countless wars and conflicts taking place all around the world. But if we look inside our churches things are not much better. Bitterness, anger and resentment take hold and cause rifts within the fellowship.
There is a central problem, one that no one seems to deal with, and it is pride. It is impossible for anyone to get along if each one sees himself or herself as more moral, spiritual and holy than everyone else. The cure for this malady is lowliness of heart (humility) and meekness.
The Absolute Essential
Humility is essential for the believer who aims to walk worthy in Christ. Without it we cannot grow in the Lord. Why? Well, without it we can never be like Him … “Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29.) How few have bothered to learn to walk in humility!
The book of Proverbs is full of wise advice for those who seek to live well-pleasing to the Lord, and of course it has much to say about humility:-
* “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2.) It is the humble rather than the conceited that are the wise ones.
* “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility” (Proverbs 15:33.) The devil has the world thinking that self-promotion is the way to be recognised, but God says that humility exalts a man. This is emphasised again in Proverbs 22:4 … “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.”
The apostle James is in full agreement with what Solomon wrote … “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6.) How can we ignore the great need of humility among us?
Pride – the mother of all sin
Pride was the first sin that was ever committed; therefore all other sins were conceived in it. Lucifer dabbled in self-exaltation because he thought too highly of himself … He said, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14.) As with all who live in pride, Satan had “I” sight problems. Five times he said “I will,” but God’s will is greater, and so he was cast down. The “son of the morning” became the “father of liars” and “the accuser of the brethren” (Isaiah 14:12; John 8:44; Revelation 12:10), because he was the originator of pride. Every sin has its foundation in pride, because all sin is wilful defiance of God’s law.
Conclusion
If we want to overcome sin, live victoriously and holy, then we are going to have to take our first steps in humility and meekness. Unless we do so, personal pride will hinder and halt our progress on the pathway to Heaven. It is expected of all God’s children to walk in humility. Without it we are simply not walking worthy.