stephen R Harrison

(Read Philippians 2:3)

A reporter interviewed an old man on his 100th birthday and asked, “What are you most proud of?” The old man said, “I don’t have an enemy in the world.” The reporter replied, “What a beautiful thought! How inspirational!” “Yep,” noted the old man, “I outlived every last one of them.” There are some enemies you need help to outlive. They will drain the life out of you.  In Philippians 2:3, Paul admonishes the church, “In humility, value others above yourselves.” Honoring others should be standard in the church.  The church must learn to humbly serve and value one another to build unity, grow in the gospel mission, and give God glory. Paul reiterates that to see the total value of others created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), one must first take his eyes off himself.  Humility has been defined as “not thinking less of yourself but thinking about yourself less.”  One of the life-giving qualities that should radiate throughout the church is humility!

Notice in Philippians 2:3 how Paul begins the verse.  Instead of starting with humility, he starts with selfishness and vain conceit. Why does Paul begin with selfishness? He knows it is the root of many more sins.  It is a direct enemy of humility! Greed will kill the life of the church!  Stop for a moment and think about all the selfish acts listed in the Bible that resulted in some destruction.  Eve and Adam wanted the forbidden fruit, Cain killed Abel, Abraham and Sara wanted a child their way, Lot’s wife looked back towards Sodom and Gomorrah, and we’re not even halfway through Genesis!  The sins attached to selfishness include greed, deceit, gossip, contentiousness, lying, hatred, and many others that will destroy Christian humility and unity.  

Paul also says vain conceit is in opposition to humility.  While selfishness is thinking too much of oneself (think quantity), vain conceit thinks of oneself too much in a different way (think quality). It’s an overly exaggerated self-image linked with pride, arrogance, and snobbery. Paul would elsewhere warn, “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Galatians 6:3).  

In contrast to selfishness and vain conceit, Paul uses the conjunction alla (but) to differentiate them and humility. As Christians, we must live in contrast to the world’s ways. We must live by the Word. While selfishness and vain conceit are enemies of humility, they are not bodyless concepts. Those who walk in them will destroy the church and the humility Christ embodied on the cross.  

Questions for the Head (Think)

• If someone followed you for 30 days, would they say you were selfish or humble? 

Reflection for the Heart (Worship)

• Take 10 minutes to pray and reflect on Philippians 2:3. Allow the Spirit to show you where you’ve been selfish and conceited as well as humble.  

Action for the Hands (Do)

• How can you display humility tangibly and practically to someone today?