The Homekeeper’s Journal ~ September 22
Sep 21st, 2008 by Sylvia
“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” Philippians 2:3-5
There has been a lot of talk in the past 30 years about self-esteem and its effects on the lives of individuals. Lack of self-esteem is said to be at the root of all kinds of emotional and social disfunction. It is said to be healthy and normal for a person to esteem themselves above others. The saying, “Looking out for number 1″ is totally accepted in our society.
God calls us to think differently. The mind of Christ thinks differently. And since we are called to have the mind of Christ, we are commanded to esteem others over ourselves.
What that means first and foremost is to have a right understanding of how great God is and the huge, immeasureable difference between Him and ourselves. This correct positioning of ourselves under God, and the correct view of ourselves, sets the right stage for our relationships with others.
In relation to other people, it means that we take others into consideration and put the welfare of others before ourselves. It means that the things we do for others are not done for glory or reward. God isn’t telling us to stop looking out for our own interests, but to also look after the interests of others.
Study Questions:
The mind of the natural man is “a reprobate mind” (Romans 1:28) and a “carnal mind” (Romans 8:7). What has to happen to our minds in order that we may begin to think with the mind of Christ? (Romans 12:2)
In following Christ’s example to be lowly of mind, how should we approach life? (Acts 17:11; 20:19)
