Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”
In Philippians 2:3 the Apostle Paul introduces us to the twins of turmoil. Their names are selfish ambition and conceit. They are two very mean and destructive attitudes, and whether separately or together, the division will happen. Proverbs 13:10 says “By pride comes nothing but strife.” Let’s meet them so we may avoid living like them; as the apostle Paul says, let nothing be done like them.
Selfish ambition looks to get ahead by pushing others down.
Conceit looks to get ahead by pushing oneself UP.
Selfish ambition talks down a person.
Conceit talks up themselves.
Selfish ambition likes to tell others how bad and pathetic others are to make themselves look better.
Conceit likes to tell others how great and wonderful they are to make themselves look better.
Instead of singing “How Great Thou Art,” they like to sing how great I am!
These twins of turmoil are concerned only about themselves. When a person thinks
only of themselves, they become selfish. They maintain that they must always look out for #1 which, of course, is them.
They are constantly looking out for what they can get.
For them, the world revolves around them.
Their keywords will be I. me. my. and mine. A word monument of selfishness.
As a Christian one is challenged to live a very contrasting life. One of the teachings that Jesus gave said, “On the contrary, it shall not be so with you.” The Christian is not living a life of selfishness but of selflessness. It is a life of humility.
Humility is not thinking less of self but rather living a life where one is not thinking of self first.
The growing Christian moves from selfishness to service. One will begin to esteem others better than oneself. To esteem means to hold another above, higher than oneself even to the point of seeing them as superior.
Very few verses challenge us as much as Philippians 2:3-4 regarding how we think about and treat others. One stops thinking only of self, only of self first, and being selfish to where one starts thinking of others before self. Keywords for the humble are yours and you and ours and us.
So, who will you be looking out for today? Yourself or others?
Will this be a day of selfishness or a day of selflessness?
Will this be a day of honoring yourself or humbling yourself?
Joy in life comes when Jesus is first, Others are second, and you are last!
Continue Strong Honoring others over yourself!
And remember to DATE The Word