Friday, November 9, 2012

Developing Humility of Mind

2 Corinthians 4:3

Yourself, yourself, yourself. We're up to here with self! Do something, either for yourself or with yourself or to yourself. How very different from Jesus' model and message. He offers rather a fresh and much-needed invitation to our "me-first" generation. There is a better way. Jesus says: "Be a servant, give to others!" Now there's a philosophy that anybody can understand. And, without question, it is attainable. Just listen. "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Phil. 2:3-4).

Know what all that means? Well, for starters, "nothing means just that. Stop permitting two strong tendencies - selfishness and conceit - to control you! Let nothing either of them suggests win a hearing. Replace them with "humility of mind". But how? By regarding others as more important than yourself. Look for ways to support, encourage, build up, and stimulate the other person. And that requires an attitude that would rather give then receive.

"Humility of mind" is really an attitude, isn't it? It's a preset mentality that determines ahead of time that I will care about others' needs more than my own.

The decision to give ourselves to others is a daily taking up of the Cross.

~Charles Swindoll~

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