How can we apply the angel's humility in our daily interactions with others? Setting the Scene Revelation 19:10: “So I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, ‘Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’ ” The Angel’s Humility in Revelation 19:10 • The angel receives profound honor from John yet immediately redirects it to God. • He identifies himself as merely “a fellow servant,” underscoring that only the Lord deserves worship. • Scripture presents this scene as literal history, showing how even sinless angels refuse glory that belongs to God alone. Key Principles We Learn • God alone is worthy of worship; all created beings are servants (Isaiah 42:8). • Genuine humility recognizes our place before God and alongside others. • Redirecting praise preserves pure devotion and guards against pride. Practical Ways to Imitate This Humility Today • Redirect compliments: When praised, acknowledge God’s grace—“Thank you; the Lord helped me do that.” • Serve without spotlight: Look for unseen tasks (clean-up, setup, errands) that bless others quietly. • Speak as “fellow servants”: Use language that levels status—“Let’s work on this together,” rather than “I’ll handle it because I’m better.” • De-center self in conversations: Ask questions about others’ lives before sharing your own stories. • Celebrate others’ successes: Rejoice when someone else excels, resisting envy or self-promotion. • Practice daily lowering: set reminders—“How can I point to Christ, not to me, in this moment?” Scriptural Reinforcements • Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.” • James 4:10: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” • 1 Peter 5:5-6: “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” • John 3:30: “He must increase; I must decrease.” • Matthew 23:11-12: “The greatest among you shall be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Closing Encouragement As the angel modeled, humility simply recognizes reality: God is supreme, and we are joyful servants. Living this out in every interaction—redirecting glory, uplifting others, and keeping ourselves low—lets Christ shine unmistakably through us. |