How Are You At Eating Humble Pie?

Scripture: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18 (NRSV)

It is not good to eat much honey, or to seek honor on top of honor.

Proverbs 25:27 (NRSV)

When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, “Give this person your place”, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher”; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt they will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’

Luke 14:7–11 (NRSV)

Therefore the Lord the God of Israel declares: “I promised that your family and the family of your ancestor should go in and out before me forever”; but now the Lord declares: “Far be it from me; for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be treated with contempt.

1 Samuel 2:30 (NRSV)

Message: If you feel the humble and awkward situation of having been saved but not yet delivered, then discover that just as sin sinks the soul, grace lifts us up in a re-born compassion. You see, a humble simple act on our part can show the power of God. There are two ways to attain high esteem. One is the world’s method of self-promotion and the other way is God’s way… So Humble yourself. Rather than striving for recognition and influential positions, seek to put others first. One of the many paradoxes of the Christian life is that when God sees your genuine humility, He exalts you. A man comfortable with his own authority is humble and submits himself to Jesus’ authority. The very Son of God humbled Himself, taking on all the limitations of human flesh, and was tempted in every way that we are. Jesus knew what it was like to grow tired, to be hungry, and to experience the same limitations we have; yet He was without sin. Sometimes in the middle of the storm our worst enemy is within…that root of all sin that must be swallowed and surrendered up to the Savior for us to survive. When it comes to personal, social or spiritual pride, our spirit can be stymied, our very life threatened, unless we are humble enough to ask for help.
Friends, there is an enormous difference between the way the world honors you and the way God does. When the world exalts you, you are the one who receives the credit. When God exalts you, others will praise Him for what He has done in your life. If you honor God, He will honor you. Practice eating humble pie. It is good for you.

Pray that we are humble personally… that the motivation to do good not be recognition and reward in our lives. Pray that we be as servants. Pray that we be humble socially, not thinking we are better than others. Pray that we are never so confident in our own righteousness that we stop boasting in the Lord. Pray that we are humble spiritually, that we ask the Lord to intercede for us in prayer. Pray that we keep our eyes fixed on Him until He comes to us in the darkest hour so that the victory and glory is His alone. Pray that He ministers to us in spite of our misunderstandings…in spite of our fears… Pray that we stay focused on Him…asking for His help. Pray we be humbled by God’s grace and filled with joy as we are awed by God. Pray we have enough failure to keep us humble and enough success to keep us eager.
Pray we be humble with one another.

Blessings,

John Lawson