Lower yourselves in your own estimation

Likewise, you who are younger and of lesser rank, be subject to the elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church) [giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel]. Clothe (apron) yourselves; all of you with humility [as the garb of a servant, so that it’s covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another.  For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)  - [and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favour, blessing) to the humble.  Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation], under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you. 1 Peter 5:5,6 AMP

Humility is a word that we don’t often see or hear in the world we live in today. In fact often the world we live in encourages us to do the exact opposite, to strive to be ‘better’ than those around us, to ‘look’ better, to ‘have’ better things, to ‘do’ better things. What a trap this game of ‘betterness’ can be. What happens when we lose the looks, no longer have the things, and can’t do things anymore? What then? Who are we then?

God however, encourages us to clothe ourselves with humility toward one another. Have you ever been talking with someone and all they do is boast about themselves, and all they can do or have done? How does that make you feel? Does it encourage you and inspire you? Or does is deflate you and make you despise yourself and your life? The bible encourages boasting, but only boasting about God…

This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise mane boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength of the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 9:23, 24 NIV

Boasting about God, His kindness, justice and righteousness, helps leads us to a place of humility, as we are acknowledging to ourselves and others that He is greater than me. It helps to keep our focus on Him, and His goodness and faithfulness. The things of this world come and go, boasting in them can be a very short-lived practice, leading to pain and emptiness. However Jesus doesn’t come and go, Hebrews 13:8 says, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. He is who we are to boast about.

Today, as you interact with people in your world, ask God to help you to humble yourself and boast about Jesus in your conversations.  Give encouragement and hope to others as they hear about Jesus’ kindness to you.