Pride is an issue that even children struggle with, and can cause them to make wrong or inappropriate decisions. Hence, on any list of Christian parenting tips is the need to teach humility to our young ones.
Corrie ten Boom was once asked if it was difficult for her to remain humble. She replied quite simply:
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday on the back of a donkey, and everyone was waving palm branches and throwing garments on the road, and singing praises, do you think that for one moment it ever entered the head of that donkey that any of that was for him?
Her point was, “If I can be the donkey on which Jesus Christ rides in His glory, I give him all the praise and all the honor.” What a beautiful picture of humility!
The Scriptures tell us that those who want to please God must walk in humility. In today’s culture, which constantly promotes the “look-out-for-number-one” philosophy, it is crucial that our children learn the virtue of humility.
Don’t Seek Your Own Honor
A Principle to Remember: Don’t seek your own honor but rather look for ways to honor others and be glad in their success.
Biblical Basis: “Honor one another above yourselves....Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:10,15).
God does not want us to seek our own honor. He wants us to walk humbly and look for ways to honor others. He wants us to rejoice with others as they rejoice.
~ Shortcut to Understanding ~
Feel free to share this story with your child:
Kyle had been playing on soccer and baseball teams for five years. Between these sports and school activities he had won 10 trophies.
One day his younger friend and neighbor Samuel came up to him and said, “Kyle, guess what? I won a trophy! It’s the first one I ever got in my whole life.” He was very excited.
How would Samuel have felt if Kyle had said, “That’s good. But I’ve got 10 trophies. What do you think of that?!” Would Kyle have been looking for a way to honor others or would he have been seeking honor for himself?
Thankfully Kyle didn’t say that.
Instead, Kyle said, “Samuel, that’s fantastic! I am so happy for you. Let me shake your hand!” That made Samuel feel great! Kyle had seen a wonderful opportunity to honor someone else and to be glad in his success.
Later, when Samuel found out how many trophies Kyle had, Samuel said, “Wow, Kyle, that’s incredible! I’m happy for you too!”
~~~
God doesn’t want us to seek our own honor. Rather he wants us to seek the honor of others.
God Exalts the Humble
A Principle to Remember: God exalts those who are humble, but He humbles those who seek to exalt themselves.
Biblical Basis:
• “The LORD tears down the proud man’s house...” (Proverbs 15:25).
• “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble” (Luke 1:52).
• “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10).
All throughout the Bible we see God exalting the humble and humbling those who exalt themselves.
• King David humbled himself and God exalted him greatly (2 Samuel 7:18-21).
• The apostle Paul humbled himself and God exalted him greatly (1 Timothy 1:15-16).
• Uzziah, by contrast, became prideful, and this led to his downfall (2 Chronicles 26:16-18).
~ Shortcut to Understanding ~
Feel free to share this story with your child:
Once, a long time ago, God created the angels. One of them was very strong and very beautiful. He was called the “shining one.” He was stronger and more beautiful than any of the other angels.
This angel became so impressed with his own greatness that he stopped giving worship and glory to God, His creator. He became so puffed up with his own magnificence that he demanded glory and worship for himself. He decided he was better than God Himself, and wanted to take God’s place (see Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28).
God immediately judged this angel and cast him out of heaven. This is an example of how pride can lead to a downfall.
~~~
The Wardrobe of God’s Children
Open your Bible and read to your child from 1 Peter 5:5: “Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”
Humility is here compared to clothing. God wants us to “wear” humility. He wants our appearance to others to show humility, not pride. When other people see us, they should see us as a reflection of Jesus, who Himself was humble and meek (Matthew 11:29).
— Dr. Ron Rhodes
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