Download a free copy of "25 Recommended Resources for Spiritual Growth.I was reading about President Bush’s comments during the funeral for President Ronald Reagan. He praised Reagan’s humility in his eulogy. At the funeral he told of the time in 1981, when Reagan was recovering from the gunshot wound he received during the assassination attempt. Just days after the surgery that repaired his life-threatening injuries, his aides discovered him on his hands and knees in his hospital room, wiping water from the floor. Bush said of Reagan, “He did this because he was worried that his nurse would get in trouble.” I was struck with the power of this scene. The President of the United States is not too important, he’s not too powerful to get on his hands and knees and clean up water that had been spilled on the floor. And he did so, to protect someone else from getting in trouble.That’s humility.  It’s a strength of character that actively looks to the needs of others-especially in actions that are never seen.Jesus said in Luke 14:11 “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”James 4:6 says the same things: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”It’s always challenging to talk about humility. How do you know if you are humble? In fact, if you think you finally exhibit humility, it’s in that moment you have probably lost it.Does our culture put a high value on humility? You won’t get a ribbon for being the most humble. You won’t be listed in your high school yearbook as “most likely to be humble.” No, the opposite is true. We are taught by society at an early age: climb the ladder, get ahead, look out for number one, fake it until you make it, dress to impress, and good guys finish last.Potential symptoms of pride in our lives:- We are defensive- We have a critical and negative spirit- We are desperate for attention- We look for the short-comings of others- We are boastfulWhat is Humility?  Humility is an accurate estimation of our self-importance in relation to God and others.  Here’s another definition I like… “Having a right view of yourself because you have a right view of God.”“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (Romans 12:3)It takes humility to become a Christian. We first humble ourselves and admit that we are sinners and that we can’t make it on your own.  We confess that you need Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Pride is the wall that will keep any sinner from a relationship with God and God loves sinners so He hates pride. Pride can lead us to exclude God from His rightful place in our hearts.Powerful truth: pride prevents growth. This is true in any area of our lives.If we have marriage problems and we won’t talk to anyone about it, that’s pride.If we have financial problems and we don’t want to admit it, that’s pride.If you are struggling at work and you won’t work to improve the situation, that’s pride.The sin of pride will prevent our spiritual growth. Growth takes humility.  We must say God here I am. God I need you in my life.The cure for pride is recognizing the greatness of God and submitting to His authority.Today’s Challenge: Join me today in repenting of the sin of pride. Let’s ask God to give us hearts that are humble before him. Let’s put God at his rightful place as the Lord of our lives. And let’s walk in humility before one another.

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