Think of Others as Better than Yourself

“What! Are you kidding me?!?  No one is better than me!”

We are taught to be proud, look out for number one, assert our needs and wants, and demand our rights, and yet when we look to Jesus, we see a much different picture.

In Jesus, we see God, the supreme being of the universe, and yet, as the scripture tells us, he “humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” – Philippians 2:8 (KJV).

Imagine where we would all be if Jesus had asserted his rights and demanded fair treatment.

Instead, the King of all creation was led like a lamb to slaughter.

He allowed His mistreatment for the good it would bring to you and me.

His behavior is the very definition of love.

So when we read in Philippians 2:3, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (KJV), we understand where God is coming from in making this request of us.

God does not want strife from those that call Him Lord.

Strife, by the way, is angry interactions with others, disagreement, or conflict.

Our Lord calls us instead to be peacemakers and bridge builders.

The gateway to becoming a peacemaker is to “esteem others better than” ourselves.

God does not want our motivation to be “vainglory.”

Vainglory is excessive pride, an inflated view of ourselves. It is vanity.

Instead, God wants us to consider every person we meet as “better than” ourselves.

This is a picture of humility.

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble,” 1 Peter 5:5 (KJV).

If you want more of God’s presence in your life, if you want more of God’s grace and love, then humble yourself by esteeming others, all others, as better than yourself.

You will find that this act of humility will draw you into increased intimacy with God, and intimacy with God is the only way to true and lasting love, joy, and peace.

Much love,

David Dellman