Posted on 02/13/2025 5:58:31 AM PST by metmom
“‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 5:3).
Achieving humility doesn’t mean merely putting yourself down. Because of sin, you are already spiritually down, whether you know it or not; humility just recognizes this truth. Furthermore, this recognition comes only from God, which is why asceticism, self-denial, and other human efforts are so futile in seeking humility.
Yet even though genuine humility results from God’s sovereign, saving work, He still commands it of men and women (cf. Matt. 18:4; 23:12; James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:5). Therefore it is always helpful to remember some basic steps to take from our side of the divine equation.
First, we must take our eyes off ourselves and look to God—through study of the Word, time in prayer, and sincerely desiring to be close to Him. Second, we must starve our flesh by removing the things on which it feeds. This means removing those things that promote pride. Third, and most important, we must simply ask for it. God alone can help us keep our lives in balanced perspective, and He will respond when we seek humility with all our hearts. David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10). He desired to be steadfastly humble, and knew only God could grant such a request. The Father stands ready to answer this prayer long before we even utter it—humility is that important.
Ask Yourself
Fashion your own prayer today, deliberately confessing your tendency toward pride, acknowledging your inability to conjure up true humility within yourself, and asking for the Lord’s enablement in pursuing a life of genuine, godly perspective. He will love hearing this prayer from you.
From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
... a great read this morning! Thank you for sharing.
Excellent lesson. Here’s dinnertime who could use a little humility...
Megachurch pastor Rick Warren just posted what might be the dumbest political take in history
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/4297295/posts
Good series by MacArthur this week. It just so happens that the Catholic Gospel reading this coming Sunday is on the Beatitudes (Sermon on the Plain version), so these have helpful in helping me prepare for the Saturday Bible study I lead on the upcoming readings.
God’s timing is always remarkable.
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