Being humble is a war. All that I am is bent on serving self. Pursuing humility is fight, then. Sure, Peter tells us to “clothe ourselves in humility.” That seems all nice. Like grabbing a shirt out of the closet to put on was ever a difficult thing. Clothing ourselves in humility, though, is a fight. We don’t naturally go there. Our world doesn’t go there. With all the jersey-popping, self-serving, I-want-this-my-own-way, I’ll-do-whatever-I-want attitudes that are swarming around us, the commands to be humble are hard to live.
Here are two helpful items for pursuing it (from 2 of my favorite pastors):
1) John Piper on how he pursues humility.
2) C.J. Mahaney from Humility:
HOW TO WEAKEN PRIDE AND CULTIVATE HUMILITY
(A List of Suggestions):ALWAYS:
1) Reflect on the wonder of the cross of Christ.AS EACH DAY BEGINS:
2) Begin each day by acknowledging your dependence upon God and your need for God.
3) Begin your day expressing gratefulness to God.
4) Practice the spiritual disciplines-prayer, study of God’s Word, worship. Do this consistently each day and at the day’s outset, if possible.
5) Seize your commute time to memorize and meditate on Scripture.
6) Cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you.AS EACH DAY ENDS:
7) At the end of the day, transfer the glory to God.
8) Before going to sleep, receive this gift of sleep from God and acknowledge His purpose for sleep.FOR SPECIAL FOCUS:
9) Study the attributes of God.
10) Study the doctrines of grace.
11) Study the doctrine of sin.
12) Play golf as much as possible.
13) Laugh often, and laugh often at yourself.THROUGHOUT YOUR DAYS AND WEEKS:
14) Identify evidences of grace in others.
15) Encourage and serve others each and every day.
16) Invite and pursue correction.
17) Respond humbly to trials.
(Taken from pp.171-172 of his book)
I have personally been helped immensely by these direct applications. Applying these to my heart and life has helped me see the depth of my pride problem and wage ware all the more valiantly (depending on God’s grace as my only hope).
Fight for humility – it leads you onto the path of Biblical greatness.