The Power of Humility
Luke 14:7-11
7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; 9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke 18:9-14
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Thoughts:
Our culture equates power with toughness, success, and willpower. But God's purposes operates differently. True spiritual power flows through lowliness and meekness. The publican who beat his chest crying "God be merciful to me a sinner" went home justified, while the self-exalted Pharisee did not.
Humility is not self-degradation but right thinking about God and yourself. Meekness is not weakness but controlled strength under the Holy Spirit's guidance. In those immediate moments of ministry when someone wrongs you or distracts from worship, your power lies not in reaction but in restraint. Like the wheat among tares, sometimes the greatest strength is allowing God to handle the harvest while you tend faithfully to your row.
Prayer:
Pray for your heart and mind to realize just how powerful it is to live in humility and meekness.
7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; 9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke 18:9-14
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Thoughts:
Our culture equates power with toughness, success, and willpower. But God's purposes operates differently. True spiritual power flows through lowliness and meekness. The publican who beat his chest crying "God be merciful to me a sinner" went home justified, while the self-exalted Pharisee did not.
Humility is not self-degradation but right thinking about God and yourself. Meekness is not weakness but controlled strength under the Holy Spirit's guidance. In those immediate moments of ministry when someone wrongs you or distracts from worship, your power lies not in reaction but in restraint. Like the wheat among tares, sometimes the greatest strength is allowing God to handle the harvest while you tend faithfully to your row.
Prayer:
Pray for your heart and mind to realize just how powerful it is to live in humility and meekness.
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