This past week I witnessed pride in a friend be transformed into beautiful humility. My friend chose to humbly believe truths from God's Word instead of continuing to selfishly holding on to his old ways of thinking how he could control and cope with a besetting sin. As he humbly prayed, he experienced Christ in him empower him to victory.
In his new found humility, he went to God's Word and received this affirming word from his Father:
No temptation has overtaken you except that is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
THE BEAUTY OF HUMILITY
We can only be humble by looking unto Jesus who humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:8) for us.
Jesus' journey to the cross was not pretty from the world's perspective. However, God has revealed to us His children the beauty of Jesus' humility. And through our intimate union with Christ, others can see the beauty of Christ through us.
Following are truths I meditated on this week that reveal the beauty of humility. Be humbled and encouraged!
Pride is blind to the presence of God.
Humility is always aware of God's presence.
Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord,
and He will life you up.
(James 4:10)
Pride loves self and rejects others.
Humility loves Christ and loves others.
Let each of you look out for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4)
Pride acts like a baby.
Humility relates as a child to God.
You received the Spirit of adoption
by whom we cry out "Abba, Father."
(Romans 8:15)
Pride looks down on others.
Humility looks up at the cross.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus
His mother.
(John 19:25)
Pride pouts when things don't go his way.
Humility rejoices when things get rough.
Count it all joy
when you fall into various trials.
(James 1:2)
Pride is amazed at high church attendance.
Humility is amazed at Christ indwelling him.
Christ in you,
the hope of glory!
Pride is busy with many things.
Humility is focused on only knowing Christ.
I count all things rubbish...
...that I may gain Christ.
(Philippians 3:8)
Pride seeks knowledge through teachers.
Humility seeks truth at the feet of Jesus.
Mary sat at Jesus' feet
and heard His word.
(Luke 10:39)
Pride does good things to please God.
Humility knows only Christ is good.
I will not dare to speak of any of those things
which Christ has not accomplished through me.
(Romans 15:18)
Pride seeks to clean himself up after sinning.
Humility runs to God after sinning.
Let us come boldly to the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy
and find grace in time of need.
(Hebrews 4:16)
Pride ensures others know his sacrifices.
Humility lives in God's acceptance.
Do charitable deeds in secret
and your Father will reward you.
(Matthew 6:4)
Pride worries about his bank account.
Humility trusts God to provide.
My God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory
by Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:19)
Pride looks back on achievements/failures.
Humility looks forward unto Christ.
I press toward the goal for the prize
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Pride is a slave to this world.
Humility is a free man under Christ.
Having been set free from sin,
you became slaves of righteousness.
(Romans 6:18)
Pride initiates his own good works.
Humility walks in faith in God's initiatives.
God resists the proud,
and gives grace to the humble.
(James 4:6)
Pride demands and clings to his rights.
Humility knows he does not own any rights.
You are not your own,
for you were bought at a price.
(1 Corinthians 6:19b-20a)
Pride thinks like the world.
Humility thinks like Christ.
Have this mind among yourselves,
which is yours in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 2:5)
Pride seeks to do the most right thing.
Humility seeks to do the most loving thing.
The letter of the law (doing right) kills,
but the Spirit (of love) gives life.
(2 Corinthians 3:6)
Pride seeks to build a personal reputation.
Humility seeks to glorify God.
Whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God.
(1 Corinthians 10:31)
Pride destroys.
Humility builds others up.
Pride goes before destruction.
Whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.
(Proverbs 16:18a, 20b)
Pride compares himself with others.
Humility rests in Christ alone.
Let each one examine his own work
and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone.
(Galatians 6:4)
Pride seeks "life" through achievements.
Humility knows Christ is his life.
When Christ who is our life appears,
then you also will appear with Him in glory.
(Colossians 3:4)
Pride focuses only on going to heaven later.
Humility is already seated with Christ.
God made us alive together with Christ,
and raised us up together,
and made us sit together
in the heavenly places with Christ Jesus.
(Ephesians 2:5-6)
Pride is shallow.
Humility is ever deepening.
God has revealed to us through His Spirit...
...the deep things of God.
(1 Corinthians 2:10)
Pride is a defining nature of the devil.
Humility is the defining nature of Jesus.
Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you
and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls"
(Matthew 11:29)
Humility is the defining way we relate to Jesus.
The Beauty of Humility 
