To live by the Spirit, we must choose to embrace the realities of God and abandon the enemies of God. This seems simple right?
Translating the characteristics of God into our world through the filter of our perspective isn’t as easy as it may seem at times. For instance, when someone is hateful being the bigger person seems good. There is a problem, however, any time we find ourselves motivated to be bigger or better than anyone. We should be surrendered to Jesus enough to love no matter what is done or said with a heart of true humility and sincere love.
Humility is the foundation for every good attitude you could have. Pride is the foundation for every bad attitude you could have. Humble people are great listeners! Proud people talk only about themselves.
You know you are contending with pride when self-sufficiency makes prayer your last resort rather than your first response. We would all agree that the pursuit of humility is great but it seems that the pursuit of being great is also great.
Mark 9:33-35 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” NIV
This pursuit of greatness and status of comparison exists within us today. Any time we meet somebody for the first time we may not even realize it, but we are sizing them up. The questions we as tend to be inquiries about vocation that can communicate status. The more significant we determine a person to be the more available we tend to become. This isn’t even something we do on purpose. Jesus speaks about the pursuit of greatness.
Matt 20:26 “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” NIV
It is interesting to me that Jesus didn’t tell them not to pursue greatness. He just redefined it welcoming them to pursue it wholeheartedly. The issue of pride produces chaos in our souls and great confusion in our lives and world. Pride is so concealed we tend to be more deceived by it than we are aware of it.
Francis Chan spent some time leading prayer movements in cities. In one instance city leaders asked what stronghold is holding back the move of God. Chan said, “Yahweh. God is resisting your pride.”
“Pride is the worst viper that is in the heart and the greatest disturber of the soul’s peace and sweet communion with Christ. It is the most difficult sin to root out and the most hidden, secret and deceitful of all lusts.” Jonathan Edwards
We must all work at ways of weakening pride and cultivating humility in our lives. In this pursuit we must beware of legalism. This is about consecration and consecration looks different in every person’s life! Understanding how we fit together honoring each other is huge!
Philippians 2:4 "do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." NASB
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Spend some time this week fasting and praying asking God to speak to you about a consecrated life as you reflect upon the cross of Jesus Christ.
We are going deeper together! We are designed to live in the deeper reality of God. This is the more certain reality of eternity which gave birth to the temporal realm that will one day pass away.
Matt 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. NIV
The eternal reality of God’s Truth will remain. Building our lives on this reality is what will last and must be our priority.
We are living in a prophetic moment but realize this is the most basic level and we must go deeper. I believe God is saying, “You have no idea how deep these waters are and all I desire to reveal.”
A high level of influence and resource will turn many people’s hearts away from God. Motives are being refined so God can provide in amazing ways for the expansion of God’s Kingdom!
Isaiah 33:5-6 The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness. 6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. NIV
Discussion Guide for Community Leaders
UNDERSTANDING THE SEASON: We are designed to live in the deeper reality of God. This is the more certain reality of eternity which gave birth to the temporal realm that will one day pass away.
Matt 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. NIV
The eternal reality of God’s Word and God’s Truth will remain. Building our lives on this reality is what will last and must be our priority. Let’s go deeper together.
See The Invisible; Do The Impossible
2 Cor 4:18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. NIV
We’ve been starting our groups with the first and primary question that we want to continue even more specifically during this season:
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Where are you reading in your Bible and what are you sensing from God?
2. How do you explain what humility and pride truly are?
Pride contends for the supremacy of God. The Bible says these things about pride:
1. God hates the proud – Prov 16:5
2. Pride comes before fall – Prov 16:8
3. Breeds quarrels – Prov 13:10
4. Makes you blind – Prov 16:18
5. Brings disgrace – Prov 11:2
6. God opposes the proud – James 4:6
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
3. How can we weaken pride in our own lives?
John 13:3-5 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. NIV
It is interesting how John 13 reveals that Jesus knew all things had been placed under his power and then he washes the disciples’ feet. In a moment that Jesus reflected on being the most powerful person in the room he chose to use all of the power God had placed under his care to serve others.
Any time we discover that we have been given any kind of power or authority we clearly see how we are to respond. This could be power and authority as a parent, on the job, in a board room, etc.
Philippians 2:4 “do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” NASB
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Spend some time this week fasting and praying asking God to speak to you about a consecrated life as you reflect upon the cross of Jesus Christ.