How can we apply humility in our church community today? The Warning in Corinth “Some of you have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.” – 1 Corinthians 4:18 Seeing Ourselves in the Verse • Paul exposes a heart issue, not just a behavior. • Arrogance surfaces when we think accountability is distant or absent. • Christ’s sure return (Revelation 22:12) means every believer lives under His eye right now. Humility Starts in the Heart • Remember our source: “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). • Fix our gaze on Christ’s example: “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death” (Philippians 2:8). • Invite the Spirit’s searchlight—Psalm 139:23–24. Everyday Practices that Disarm Pride • Speak less, listen more (James 1:19). • Prefer others in honor (Romans 12:10). • Serve in unnoticed places—chairs stacked, floors swept (Mark 10:45). • Celebrate another’s gifting without comparison (1 Corinthians 12:18–26). • Submit gladly to biblical leadership (Hebrews 13:17). • Receive correction without defensiveness (Proverbs 9:8–9). • Open our homes to those unlike us (Romans 15:7). Guardrails for a Humble Culture 1. Scripture-saturated gatherings—truth keeps egos small (John 17:17). 2. Regular testimonies of God’s grace, shifting spotlight from us to Him (1 Corinthians 1:31). 3. Shared decision-making where possible, reflecting the body’s value (Acts 15:22). 4. Confession as normal, not rare—“Confess your sins to one another” (James 5:16). 5. Intergenerational mentoring—“younger men be subject to elders” (1 Peter 5:5). What Humility Produces • Unity that stands out in a fractured world (Ephesians 4:2–3). • A safe place for the wounded (Isaiah 42:3). • Spiritual authority grounded in servanthood (2 Corinthians 10:8). • Joy that survives success or obscurity (Philippians 4:11–13). Keeping the Long View • God “opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). • He will exalt the lowly in due time (1 Peter 5:6). • Until then, we imitate the One “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29). |
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