Pride Destroys, Humility Builds - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - October 31, 2024
Pride Destroys, Humility Builds
By Rick Warren
“Be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 (NCV)
The Bible draws a clear distinction between pride and humility. While pride will tear down your relationships, humility builds them up and strengthens them.
But pride is self-deceiving. It can be hard for you to recognize it in yourself. Instead, try looking for the symptoms of pride, like criticism, competition, stubbornness, and superficiality. If you see some of those characteristics in yourself, you might have a problem with pride.
Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride leads to destruction; a proud attitude brings ruin” (NCV). I like how the Message paraphrases this verse: “First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.”
Pride destroys relationships, but humility is the antidote to pride. Humility builds relationships. The Bible says in 1 Peter 3:8, “Live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble” (GW). And Philippians 2:3 instructs, “Be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves” (NCV).
How can you grow in humility? By continually and consistently submitting your thoughts, heart, attitude, and choices to Jesus. You need to give him permission to make changes in your life. Ephesians 4:23-24 says, “Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person” (CEV).
How do you become a new person? How do you start to think in a different way? The basic law of relationships is this: You tend to become like the people you spend time with. If you spend time with grumpy people, you get grumpier. If you spend time with happy people, you get happier. So if you want to have more humility, spend time with Jesus Christ. Take time with him in prayer and reading his Word. He is humble, and as you get to know him, you’ll become more like him.
The Bible teaches, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. . . . When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God” (Philippians 2:5-8 NLT).
No one has lived with more humility than Jesus. He came to earth from heaven to become a man, live for us, give his life for us, and be resurrected for us. When you spend time with him, you become more humble, which in turn builds up your relationships for the better.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Be Encouraged Each Day to Live Out God’s Purposes
As thanks for your gift below to help share the gospel with more people around the world through Daily Hope, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s new book, Daily Hope Devotional: 365 Days of Purpose, Peace, and Promise.
Each devotional starts out with a Bible verse, followed by teaching that explains God’s Word and shows you how to apply it daily so you can face any challenge and live the life you were created to live.
As a special bonus when you give, we’ll also send you What's Driving Your Life?: A 10-Day Turnaround for a Fresh Start. Featuring 10 hand-picked devotions from Pastor Rick’s new book, they’ll guide anyone feeling stressed, worried, or discouraged toward seeking God for a fresh start.
Request your copy below when you give—and take the first step towards a year of real purpose, lasting peace, and unfailing promises.
Thank you for your partnership!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
