Header Graphic
Devotions > Moving toward Humility

I must decrease
12 Jul 2008

We have much resistence to trusting and putting our complete reliance upon God.   This resistence comes from our old nature.  We all have it.  We normally do not talk about or to a great extent even think about this part of our nature.  Since it is natural, we for the most part,simply accept it as normal.


This is not the normal that God desires.  At the core of our trusting in ourselves and in the things that we can see ..... is pride!   Pride is Satan's strongest tool to keep us from trusting in the promises and power of God.  This lack of trust keeps us from being used and changed by the power of God!  Satan knows if he can keep us functioning in pride we will be, for the most part ,useless in the building of the Kingdom of God.   In order to be used by God we must decrease,  that is, the self part of us, the part that relys on our own thinking and doing, that thinks that our plans are superior to God's.  Of course we would not say that our plans are superior to God's.  We just live our lives, make our choices and decisions on this worldview.  IN ORDER TO EXPERIENCE THE FULL POWER OF GOD WE MUST DECREASE!


Jesus, through His ministry on earth, accomplished more for the kingdom of God in His thirty-three years than all the rest of mankind will produce throughout history.   Yes, He was God, but we are told in the scriptures that we should have the very same attitude, the same thinking and humility that Jesus had. [ Philipians 2:5-11 ]   Jesus' humility and submission were the keys to His power and impact for the Kingdom of God.


Within the context of  Jesus' work on earth He tells us .....


John 14:12-1412 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.

13 "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.


Where are these greater works today?    Perhaps we may be trying to do our works using our power, our plans, and our thinking.


In II Chronicles, God speaking to Solomon said:


2 Chronicles 7:14 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.


Do you desire to move toward deeper humility?    Have you ask God by His Spirit to reveal pride that is hiding in your heart?   Taking this step regularly will move you in the direction of the " greater works"


Suggestion:  As you move into any new situtation such as a phone call or a meeting or a one on one time with a friend, say to the Lord ... " I  must decrease, You must increase "   Look to see how you can build up others and keep your eyes on them and off of yourself.   Continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal areas of pride in your life and ask Him to provide to you the power to push pride out of your life.



 


 






 


 


JLW