Esteem Others Better

PHILIPPIANS 2:3 NKJ 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

When you start thinking you are better than other people, you are on dangerous ground. It leads to actions opposite to divine love.

Be on guard! The Bible warns us, and we should take heed.

Of course it's not just what we think of others that's important, but how we treat others. However, thoughts always precede and determine actions. So, we must guard our thoughts.

PHILIPPIANS 2:3 NET 3 . . . treat one another as more important than yourself.

Yes, every one of us is better in some way(s) than some other person or persons. But not one of us is superior in every way to everyone else.

Of even more importance is that we should not value a human being by their looks, abilities or accomplishments, but by their value to God. God is the true judge of human worth and He thinks that person you are tempted to look down upon is valuable enough to die for.

When you judge someone as not valuable, or judge yourself as more valuable than they are, you are setting yourself up as a judge with higher authority than God.

JAMES 4:6 NLT 6 But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but favors the humble."

God resists the proud!

Only a fool would want God to oppose them or resist them. Therefore, only a fool, or an ignorant person, would want to be proud -- which is thinking you are better than others.

1 PETER 5:5 NKJ 5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

What do you have that was not given to you? Did you create yourself? So, what do you really have to boast about?

1 CORINTHIANS 4:7 NKJ 7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

Instead of being proud, be grateful for all God has blessed you with. And realize God has blessed you so you can also be a blessing to others -- for they are important to God, too.

1 PETER 2:17 NLT 17 Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters.

SAY THIS: I will not fall into the trap of thinking I am better than others.