What an incredible warning. To know that our ego is what will be our demise. In this awareness we can stay vigilant about how to live. Living humbly is how we were always meant to exist. It is through humility that we are able to stay clearly focused on God rather than ourselves. When we are focused on anything other than God we place these things above Him. This will never help us in the forward progression of our lives. It will only lead to the unraveling of our lives. God is what keeps us together. He put us together and we must cling to Him to stay put together. Ego and pride is what the world teaches us to get ahead. It teaches us that we can be self reliant, and even worse, that we should be self reliant. When we accept humility as the way to live, we know that we cannot do anything apart from Him and we seek His direction. Through this path of doing things everything works out much sooner and without force, because we trust in God.
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
Proverbs 16:18-20 NIV
We must have discernment in all we do. We are able to have discerning hearts when we are close to God. Our closeness to Him is what brings us wisdom. As we consult with Him in all of our endeavors, we are able to hear all the gracious words He has for us. Accepting and believing in these words allows us to share gracious speech with others. Making plans for our lives is led by God when we allow His words to be spoken into our lives. We must be aware that He speaks through others to us. Thus, surrounding ourselves with wise and discerning hearts is paramount to our journey. We need instruction each day to be on the path that He created for us. The prudence of whom we keep company with just as much determines our plans as our investment into our relationship with Him. Let us not be foolish and in turn fall into the hands of a difficult path.
The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.
Proverbs 16:21-23 NIV
Considerations for your planner:
- What does humility look like to you? Write this down and see where you can channel this definition in your life.
- How do you discern who you allow to speak into your life? Write down the people that you currently seek wisdom and counsel from.
A Story of Humility and Discernment:
I hope some of you can recall the TV show, "Tell the Truth." I remember watching it as a little girl. I didn't realize the impact it had on my life until a student at the college where I worked showed up at my office door one day. I want to preface this with the fact that this same student had gone to the president of the college and told some untruths about me relating to a course I was teaching and she was not enrolled in my course.
Needless to say when I saw her at my office door I had to whisper a prayer, because I had no idea what to expect. After she shared with me her situation that involved another department head, I had to pray again before responding. I asked her why she had come to me about this situation, because it was not in my department. She looked straight into my eyes and said, "because I know you will tell the truth.” I had lived a life of telling the truth because I didn't know another way, but I never thought that others appreciated it.
I realize that some may say that truth is not popular and truth should not be told at all times. If the truth that you tell is based on and aligned with the Word of God, I recommend that you tell the truth. God's Word is truth and God gives us truth in His Word. Ephesians 6:14 "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,..." Always have your waist girded with God's Truth.
- Anonymous
Strengthen the Christian Planner Family by sharing your experiences. We'd love to hear a story about God's work in your life. Use the form linked below to submit your story.
