Pride and humility–both words are hard to understand. I struggle with pride every day. Pride says I’m fine when I’m not. Pride worries about what I look like, what I drive, and if my house is clean and tidy when someone rings my doorbell. Pride says, “At least I’m not as ____ as so and so.” And I just when I think to myself, “I am humble,” sounds like pride again to me. I even own a book called Humility. Does that credit me as humble? Not.
What is the difference between having pride and being humble?
To me, it’s simple, yet hard to live out. Bear with me with my interpretation.
To be humble means I have a spirit of submission to God. I live dependent upon God for everything, like a child to her parents. Humility says, “I need God to help me with my thoughts, words, and actions. If not, I’ll blow it.”
To be prideful means I rely on self. I am my own God. I want credit and to control the show. Life is not about dependency on God but rather about independence. The prideful says, “Don’t worry God, I’ll be okay. I can do it. Go help someone who really needs Your help.”
Basically they both represent an attitude of the heart.
What are your thoughts on pride and humility? I’d love hearing your opinions and interpretations.
God knows there are entire books written on these topics.
I am in agreement with you sweetie about this.
So true… I’m working on letting go of the pride about my house… I’ve so hated hearing the doorbell when my house isn’t up to par. Another thing I struggle with is this crazy need to apologize for the mess when people make it past the front door. Some kind people tell me not to worry because one day my house will be clean, but the little people that mess it up won’t be here either and then I will miss them and their messes tremendously.
Great post as always!
Ahh…tough to face when God shows me I’m being prideful.
Humble to me is letting Go and letting God. He likes for me to come and ask for His help. I get on my knees and repent asking for help. I know I can’t do a lot of things on my own. Also, it means for to me to continue even when I am misunderstood. Sometimes,my shyness comes across as wrong
attitudes or pride, all I can do is
let God handle my life. I sure can’t
Hugs,
Paulette
Hello Tiffany, I think it takes humility to rely on God. I believe part of a christian’s life in christ is to be somewhat dependent on HIM. For humbling ourselves and accepting his grace, love, peace and many other helps, makes Pride disappear. Great topic and blog. I will definetely come back for a visit. God bless
DEb
I love how you define pride and humility…and distinguish the difference between the two.
I love how we’re told to clothe ourselves with humility. That tells me that it takes action to be humble. It’s not something we just “get” and then have it. We must put on humility…daily. Just like we don’t wear the same clothes day after day — we put on clean clothes everyday — we also need to put on humility everyday. We must submit ourselves to God’s will and authority in our lives every second of every minute of every hour of every day.
Thank you for the reminder…and oh how I need to be reminded.