Wearing Humilty

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5

D.L. MOODY
Some years ago, I saw what is called a sensitive plant. I happened to breathe on it, and suddenly it drooped its head; I touched it, and it withered away. Humility is as sensitive as that; it cannot safely be brought out on exhibition. A man who is flattering himself that he is humble and is walking close to the Master, is self-deceived. Humility consists not in thinking meanly of ourselves, but in not thinking of ourselves at all. Moses did not know that his face shone. If humility speaks of itself, it is gone.

ERWIN LUTZER
The idea of a proud, arrogant Christian is an oxymoron, or at least it should be. Yet, I have met Christians who ooze a sense of superiority, a need for attention and constant praise. But the root of all other sins is pride. We might do well to practice the discipline of fasting, both to show how desperately we need God and to also search our souls for unacknowledged pride. David wrote, “I humbled my soul with fasting” (Psalm 35:13, KJV). To fast is to fall on our knees with prayer, asking God to search us first before we make our petitions for others. We come to God with our great need; but we should leave our prayer time focused on our great God. 
A judgmental, self-righteous attitude has created great harm within the church and to the unbelieving world. We must engage the world with humility, giving a reason for the hope within us (1 Peter 3:15). We do it with meekness and fear rather than judgmentalism and superiority. I read that when pride walks onto the platform, God walks off.

PRAYER
Father, by your grace, I choose the path of humility, not self-promotion.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
In what ways is God calling you to humbly engage in the world?

Why is it that pride get in the way of our relationship with God?