RESOURCES FOR CULTIVATING HUMILITY
This week’s message out of Philippians 2:1-11 focused on humility. Below, you’ll find helpful resources to deepen your understanding and practical application of the message. As you reflect, remember that God’s grace is abundant. Growth takes time, and each step you take toward humility is a step closer to reflecting Christ’s heart. Be encouraged that the Holy Spirit is with you, guiding and empowering you to live with greater freedom and joy.
"If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.” - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Some things that could be signs of pride:
- You constantly worry about what others think of you.
- You frequently compare yourself to others.
- You struggle with feelings of insecurity.
- You seek validation through social media.
- You often feel anxious in social situations.
- You avoid vulnerability in your conversations.
- You hold others to standards higher than you set for yourself.
- You resist asking for help and strive to be overly independent.
- You feel the need to maintain control in every situation.
- You are driven by perfectionism.
- You get defensive when receiving feedback.
- You find it hard to admit when you’re wrong.
- You try to appear like you have everything together.
- You feel slighted when others fail to thank you.
- You use your own perspective as the ultimate standard for right and wrong.
- Your first reaction to opposing ideas is to argue.
- You always feel the need to receive credit for your contributions.
- You overschedule yourself and take on too much.
- You hold back from speaking up.
- You buy things in the hope that others will notice and admire you.
- You present yourself as an expert on everything.
- You don’t prioritize serving others.
- You serve others, but your motivation is to gain recognition or approval.
- You struggle to celebrate others’ success or downplay their achievements.
- You avoid addressing conflict directly.
- You place high value on titles or positions.
- You downplay or reject compliments and praise.
- You look down on people who need help.
Practical steps on how to fight it:
Cultivate humility through prayer.
Regularly confess your pride to God and ask Him to reveal areas where it has taken root. Pray for a heart that seeks to serve and glorify God rather than yourself.
Memorize scripture about humility.
Choose acts of service where no one knows what you’ve done. This shifts your motivation from seeking recognition to honoring God. Reflect on how Jesus modeled serving the least and the lost.
Seek feedback and accountability.
Ask a friend, a mentor, or your spouse “Do you see areas in my life where pride might be affecting my relationships or decisions?” Stay open to their feedback without getting defensive.
Practice vulnerability.
Recognize when you want to hide parts of yourself and share your struggles and weaknesses.
Limit self-promotion.
Before sharing something about yourself, ask: “Am I doing this to glorify God or elevate myself?” or before posting on social media, ask yourself, “Am I sharing this to encourage others or to make myself look good?”
Give more than is comfortable
Sacrificial giving forces us to prioritize others' well-being over our own comfort. Pride often stems from the belief that we are entirely responsible for our success and resources. When we give sacrificially, we recognize that all we have is a gift from God and trust Him to provide for our needs.
Reflect on God's greatness
Spend time meditating on Scripture passages that highlight God’s sovereignty and majesty, such as Isaiah 40 or Psalm 139. Recognize your dependence on Him for every good thing in your life. Spend time outside each day, observing creation and thanking God for His majesty.
Prioritize rest
Pride often manifests in overwork and self-reliance. Take intentional time to rest and remember that God is in control.
Give credit to others
Publicly recognize and celebrate the contributions of others.
Remember your identity in Christ
Reflect on verses like Galatians 2:20 and Colossians 3:3, which remind you that your value and identity are found in Christ, not in your achievements or recognition. When you feel tempted to seek validation from others, repeat to yourself, “I am loved and chosen by God—His opinion matters most.”
Daily self-reflection
At the end of each day, reflect on your words and actions:
Regularly confess your pride to God and ask Him to reveal areas where it has taken root. Pray for a heart that seeks to serve and glorify God rather than yourself.
Memorize scripture about humility.
- "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
- "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." Matthew 23:12
- "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Philippians 2:3-4
- "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'" James 4:6
- "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." James 4:10
- "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2
Choose acts of service where no one knows what you’ve done. This shifts your motivation from seeking recognition to honoring God. Reflect on how Jesus modeled serving the least and the lost.
Seek feedback and accountability.
Ask a friend, a mentor, or your spouse “Do you see areas in my life where pride might be affecting my relationships or decisions?” Stay open to their feedback without getting defensive.
Practice vulnerability.
Recognize when you want to hide parts of yourself and share your struggles and weaknesses.
Limit self-promotion.
Before sharing something about yourself, ask: “Am I doing this to glorify God or elevate myself?” or before posting on social media, ask yourself, “Am I sharing this to encourage others or to make myself look good?”
Give more than is comfortable
Sacrificial giving forces us to prioritize others' well-being over our own comfort. Pride often stems from the belief that we are entirely responsible for our success and resources. When we give sacrificially, we recognize that all we have is a gift from God and trust Him to provide for our needs.
Reflect on God's greatness
Spend time meditating on Scripture passages that highlight God’s sovereignty and majesty, such as Isaiah 40 or Psalm 139. Recognize your dependence on Him for every good thing in your life. Spend time outside each day, observing creation and thanking God for His majesty.
Prioritize rest
Pride often manifests in overwork and self-reliance. Take intentional time to rest and remember that God is in control.
Give credit to others
Publicly recognize and celebrate the contributions of others.
Remember your identity in Christ
Reflect on verses like Galatians 2:20 and Colossians 3:3, which remind you that your value and identity are found in Christ, not in your achievements or recognition. When you feel tempted to seek validation from others, repeat to yourself, “I am loved and chosen by God—His opinion matters most.”
Daily self-reflection
At the end of each day, reflect on your words and actions:
- Did I prioritize others?
- Was I seeking recognition?
- What moment today showed me God's grace?
- How can I grow tomorrow?