iSacrifice
I Sacrifice Ego

Scripture Reading: James 4:4-10

Key Verse: James 4:6

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

The Bible makes it extremely clear that anyone who wants to be found pleasing to God must sacrifice their prideful ego!  Our printed key verse for today tells us that God opposes the proud.  Wow!  I wouldn’t want God actually taking actions in opposition of me.  Proverbs 8:13  confirms this perspective when it tells us that God hates pride!  In later verses, Proverbs continues to remind us that pride breeds quarrels and always goes before a fall (Proverbs 13 & 16).

          How does a person sacrifice their ego?  The first step is to fully embrace how important it is to do so.  Don’t justify any kind of egotistical attitudes or behavior.  Read the verses I’ve already listed over and over until you are convinced how damning a prideful spirit is!  Secondly, be aware when you catch yourself thinking prideful thoughts.  Stop those thoughts in their earliest stages.  I whisper a quick prayer and ask God to forgive me for even thinking those self-serving, prideful thoughts!

          Finally, be sure to take action in the area of humility at every opportunity.  Help those of “low esteem” by our world’s standards.  Get involved in some ministry that serves those that are under-resourced and overlooked by the prideful society we live in.  Make Philippians 2:3 your life verse: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

Father, convict my conscience when I start thinking prideful thoughts.  I will serve you and others in humility.  In Jesus’ name, amen.