"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."--I Peter 5:5
Greek Word Study (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance)
The words "humility" and "submission" may have a negative connotation to some. Yet, when we view these words biblically, as God intended, they become tools for living life to the full (John 10:10)!
Perhaps it's easier, safer, and more convenient to be clothed with pride? If we're honest, we may be of the mindset that our negative, adverse experiences and personal brokenness give us a license or pass to walk in bitterness, unforgiveness, fear, anxiety, or venomous rage and toxicity. Statements like, "I have a right to be angry" or "If you only knew what I have been through" could be indicators that pride is at the helm of our hearts. When this is the case, we forfeit an opportunity to experience the mercy and grace of God.
The account of the Canaanite woman coming to Jesus our behalf of her demon-possessed daughter is an illustration of how humility catapults us into blessings that can only come from our divine Lord (Matthew 15:21-28). I would imagine that her desperate desire to see her daughter healed, coupled with her maternal love, prompted her to bypass self (personal pride and ego) and pursue the Master. The annoyance of the disciples did not stop her. Jesus initial response did not stop her. She was clothed with humility. Her humility led to her daughter's healing.
How willing are we to be like this Canaanite woman? How desperate are we to be healed of brokenness? How desperate are we to be well in our souls? Will we opt to be clothed in humility as we bring our soul wounds to the Father? Will we allow him access to the bruised and broken places in our hearts or will we continue to limp through life maimed and halt?
- submit (G5283) hypotasso: to submit, to subject one's self; obey, yield to one's admonition/advice
- clothed (G1463) egkomboomai: to knot or band; by which two things are fastened together
- humility (G5012) tapeinaphrosyne: a deep sense of one's (moral) littleness; modesty; lowliness of mind
- giveth (G1325) didomi: to give someone something; to supply, furnish, or deliver
- grace (G54850) charis: recompense, reward, joy, good-will, loving kindness, favor, the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to exercise of the Christian virtues
The words "humility" and "submission" may have a negative connotation to some. Yet, when we view these words biblically, as God intended, they become tools for living life to the full (John 10:10)!
Perhaps it's easier, safer, and more convenient to be clothed with pride? If we're honest, we may be of the mindset that our negative, adverse experiences and personal brokenness give us a license or pass to walk in bitterness, unforgiveness, fear, anxiety, or venomous rage and toxicity. Statements like, "I have a right to be angry" or "If you only knew what I have been through" could be indicators that pride is at the helm of our hearts. When this is the case, we forfeit an opportunity to experience the mercy and grace of God.
The account of the Canaanite woman coming to Jesus our behalf of her demon-possessed daughter is an illustration of how humility catapults us into blessings that can only come from our divine Lord (Matthew 15:21-28). I would imagine that her desperate desire to see her daughter healed, coupled with her maternal love, prompted her to bypass self (personal pride and ego) and pursue the Master. The annoyance of the disciples did not stop her. Jesus initial response did not stop her. She was clothed with humility. Her humility led to her daughter's healing.
How willing are we to be like this Canaanite woman? How desperate are we to be healed of brokenness? How desperate are we to be well in our souls? Will we opt to be clothed in humility as we bring our soul wounds to the Father? Will we allow him access to the bruised and broken places in our hearts or will we continue to limp through life maimed and halt?
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering..."
--Colossians 3:12
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"Clothed with Humility".
