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By Dean Kelly

Someone once said, “The greatest of my many virtues is my humility!” He probably meant it as a joke, but humility is not a joking matter. Paul warns that we must not think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think (Romans 12:3). While we are all made in the image of God, it is important to note that we are all made in the image of God.

Peter addresses younger people in the following passage, but then He applies the teaching to all ages: “ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:5-11).

When we begin to think too highly of ourselves then we set ourselves up to fall for the devil’s destructive delights, and he will consume us up as a lion does his prey.

By contrast, if we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, He will truly raise us up and exalt us. If we come to Him by way of that glorious cross of Christ, in obedient faith, lifting God up in our lives, we will be lifted up by Him.

Dean Kelly is minister at Highland Home Church of Christ.