Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. – Philippians 2:3
A car drifting out of its lane in traffic usually means the driver is either texting or sleeping. It can be harrowing and life-threatening to share the road with such a person. But life in modern culture is not that different. Each person you know is given to drifting. Anyone might become distracted, veer off course, behave erratically, or lose their focus.
A common stumbling block for believers in Christ is to trip over “self.” An elevated sense of self is ingrained in modern society, at times mistakenly celebrated as self-acceptance and confidence. It is a desire to set yourself above others, a “me first” attitude of spirit. However, sinful pride is different than healthy self-esteem.
God’s lovely angel of the morning, Lucifer (Satan), fell to the temptation to elevate himself, “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! … You said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven, above the stars of God, I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches” (Isaiah 14:12-13).
To stay on course, maintain the focus on what Christ has done for you as your motivation for good works, rather than drifting into the realm of “look at me.” The results will then glorify the Lord and dash Satan’s pride. Pray for American churches to teach about the importance of seeking the kingdom and glory of God first. Ask that those serving the nation will be delivered from self-focused ambitions and, instead, adopt a humble spirit before God and the electorate instead.
Today’s Verse: Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Jeremiah 9:23-10:3
23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
25 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh— 26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert who cut the corners of their hair, for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.”
10 Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel. 2 Thus says the Lord:
“Learn not the way of the nations,
nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens
because the nations are dismayed at them,
3 for the customs of the peoples are vanity.
A tree from the forest is cut down
and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
