Embracing Humility: The Path to True Life

Devotional

Day 1: Denying Self to Gain True Life

Denying yourself is not about devaluing your worth, but about surrendering to Jesus so He can remove what encumbers you and lead you into abundant, flourishing life. When you lay aside the things that weigh you down—your own desires, self-reliance, and the pursuit of your own truth—you make space for Jesus to do infinitely more than you could ever ask or imagine. This is not a call to shame or self-loathing, but an invitation to trust the Giver of Life, who wants to fill your life with what is truly needed for your journey. As you open your heart to Him, consider what you are carrying that He wants to remove, so you can experience the fullness He intends. [39:47]

Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV)
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Reflection: What is one thing you sense Jesus asking you to lay down today so you can follow Him more freely and experience His abundant life?

Day 2: Pride Keeps Self at the Center

Pride subtly shifts your focus to yourself—your achievements, your plans, your desires—removing God and others from the picture. Like the rich man in Jesus’ parable, it’s easy to believe that your success is solely your own doing and to store up treasures for yourself, forgetting the One who provides all things. This self-centeredness can creep into your thoughts, conversations, and even your dreams for the future, leading you to rely on your own strength rather than God’s provision. The call is to recognize where self has become the center and to invite God back into every area of your life, remembering that all you have is a gift from Him. [49:35]

Luke 12:16-21 (ESV)
And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Reflection: In what area of your life have you been relying on your own strength or taking credit for your success, and how can you intentionally acknowledge God’s provision today?

Day 3: Pride in Moral Superiority

Pride doesn’t just show up in our achievements; it can also take root in our spiritual lives, making us feel morally superior to others. Like the Pharisee in the temple, it’s easy to compare yourself to those around you, measuring your worth by your religious practices or good deeds, and missing the heart of humility that God desires. True righteousness is not about what you can accomplish or how you compare to others, but about coming before God with a humble, repentant heart—like the tax collector who simply cried out for mercy. God exalts the humble and brings low the proud, inviting you to lay down your comparisons and receive His grace. [01:00:32]

Luke 18:10-14 (ESV)
“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Reflection: When have you found yourself comparing your spiritual life to others? How can you practice humility and seek God’s mercy instead of self-justification today?

Day 4: Embodying Humble Service

The antidote to pride is not just thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less and serving others with humility. Jesus, though He was God, emptied Himself and took the form of a servant, showing us that true greatness is found in serving others rather than seeking to be served. When you deny yourself and follow Jesus’ example, you begin to look for ways to surrender your comforts for the benefit of someone else, embodying a life of humble service. This is not only a sign that pride is being uprooted from your heart, but also the pathway to experiencing the fullness and flourishing that Jesus intends for you and those around you. [01:05:14]

Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV)
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Reflection: Who is one person you can serve today in a way that costs you something, following the example of Jesus’ humble service?

Day 5: Receiving Grace Through Humility

God actively opposes pride but pours out grace on the humble, inviting you to come with open hands and receive what you cannot earn. Humility is not about denying your value, but about recognizing your need for God’s mercy and surrendering your pride so He can fill you with His grace. When you submit yourself to God and resist the pull of pride, you open yourself to the abundant gifts He longs to give, experiencing justification and flourishing not by your own merit, but by His love. Today, come before God with the simple prayer, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” and receive the grace He so freely offers. [01:12:46]

James 4:6-7 (ESV)
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Reflection: What is one area where you need to stop striving and simply receive God’s grace with humility today?

Sermon Summary

Today begins a journey through what are often called the seven deadly sins—pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, and lust—not because these are somehow more damning than other sins, but because they so often serve as gateways to deeper brokenness in our lives. The invitation is not to manage or suppress these sins by sheer willpower, but to come to Jesus, the Giver of Life, and allow Him to do the work of transformation in us. Denying ourselves, as Jesus calls us to in Matthew 16, is not about self-loathing or devaluing our worth. Rather, it is about laying aside what encumbers us so that we can experience the abundant life God intends.

A vivid image for this is the backpack from a hiking trip: only what is necessary should be carried, and everything else must be left behind. In the same way, Jesus invites us to let go of the burdens—like pride—that weigh us down and keep us from flourishing. Pride, in particular, is a subtle and dangerous sin. It keeps us at the center of our own universe, focused on our own achievements, moral superiority, and self-reliance. It is the root from which so many other sins grow, and it is often celebrated in a culture that prizes individuality and self-made success.

Through the parables of Jesus, such as the rich fool in Luke 12 and the Pharisee and tax collector in Luke 18, we see how pride manifests: in self-congratulation, in the need to be morally superior, and in the tendency to make ourselves the focus of every story. Yet, the way of Jesus is the way of humility—of losing our life to find it, of denying ourselves so that we might truly live. Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less, and serving others as Christ served us.

The call is to embody a life of humble service, to allow Jesus to remove pride and replace it with His own mind and heart. This is not just for our own flourishing, but for the flourishing of those around us. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. The invitation is to come with open hands, to let Jesus take out what is weighing us down, and to receive the gift of grace He so freely offers.

Key Takeaways

1. Denying self is not self-hatred, but surrender. Jesus’ call to deny ourselves is not an invitation to shame or self-negation, but to lay down what hinders us so we can receive the fullness of life He offers. Our value is secure in being made in God’s image; surrender is about trust, not devaluation. [38:26]
2. Pride is a gateway to deeper brokenness. Pride is not just another sin; it is the root that leads to many others, keeping us self-focused and resistant to correction. It subtly infiltrates our thoughts, relationships, and even our spirituality, making us blind to our need for grace. [44:18]
3. True humility is found in honest self-assessment and dependence on God. The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector reveals that God honors the heart that comes in humility, aware of its need for mercy, rather than the one that boasts in its own righteousness. Justification before God is not earned, but received by those who know their need. [60:18]
4. Humble service is the antidote to pride. Jesus not only taught humility but embodied it, emptying Himself and serving others even to the point of death. When we serve others sacrificially, we participate in the life of Christ and uproot pride from our hearts, making room for true greatness as defined by God. [64:58]
5. God actively opposes pride but pours out grace on the humble. Pride is not a minor flaw; it is an enemy that God wages war against. The path to spiritual victory and flourishing is not through self-exaltation, but through humble submission to God, who gives more grace than we could ever deserve. [72:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[36:21] - Introduction to the Series: Denied
[36:50] - The Seven Gateway Sins
[38:09] - The Call to Deny Ourselves
[39:32] - Surrendering to Jesus, Not Devaluing Self
[40:07] - The Backpack Analogy: Letting Go of Burdens
[42:45] - What Jesus Removes Sets Us Free
[44:00] - Pride: The Root of All Sin
[46:00] - How Pride Manifests and Its Consequences
[48:08] - The Parable of the Rich Fool
[51:41] - Pride in the Garden: The Original Temptation
[54:47] - Pride and Moral Superiority
[55:36] - The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
[60:18] - The Heart of Humility
[63:31] - Embodying Humble Service
[66:20] - The Super Chicken Study: The Cost of Pride
[69:40] - The Invitation to Humility and Grace
[72:46] - God Opposes Pride, Gives Grace to the Humble
[73:34] - Closing and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 16:24-25 — Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

- Luke 18:9-14
The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

- James 4:6
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”

Observation Questions

In Matthew 16:24-25, what does Jesus say is required of anyone who wants to follow Him? What does He promise to those who lose their life for His sake? [38:09]
In the parable from Luke 18, how do the Pharisee and the tax collector each approach God in prayer? What is different about their attitudes? [55:36]
According to James 4:6, what is God’s response to pride and to humility? [46:34]
The sermon used the image of a backpack on a hiking trip. What was the point of this analogy? [40:07]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus connects denying ourselves with finding true life? How is this different from simply trying harder to be good? [38:26]
The Pharisee in Luke 18 lists his religious achievements, while the tax collector simply asks for mercy. What does this reveal about the kind of heart God honors? [59:16]
The sermon says pride is a “gateway” to other sins. In what ways can pride lead to deeper brokenness in our lives and relationships? [44:18]
James 4:6 says God “opposes the proud.” What does it mean for God to actively oppose pride, and why do you think He takes it so seriously? [01:12:46]

Application Questions

The sermon made it clear that denying ourselves is not about self-hatred, but about surrender and trust. Is there something in your life right now that you sense Jesus is asking you to lay down or surrender? What would it look like to trust Him with it? [38:26]
The “backpack” analogy was about carrying only what is necessary for the journey. What are some “burdens” (like pride, self-reliance, or the need to be right) that you might be carrying? How are they weighing you down? [40:07]
The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector challenges us to honest self-assessment. When you pray or think about your spiritual life, do you tend to focus more on your achievements or your need for God’s mercy? How can you practice more humility in your relationship with God? [59:16]
The sermon described pride as being celebrated in our culture, especially through self-made success and individuality. Where do you see pride showing up in your daily life—at work, at home, or even in church? How can you recognize and address it? [44:18]
Jesus modeled humble service, even to the point of death. What is one practical way you can serve someone else this week, especially if it means putting their needs ahead of your own comfort? [01:04:58]
The “super chicken” story showed how pride and competition can destroy community. Are there places in your life where you find yourself competing with others or needing to prove your worth? How can you shift toward building others up instead? [01:06:20]
James 4:6 says God gives grace to the humble. What is one area where you need to receive God’s grace instead of trying to earn His approval or prove yourself? How can you open your hands to receive that grace this week? [01:12:46]

Sermon Clips

When we're tracking with each of these sins, what we see is we're in in in by rooting out the sin, we recognize that we save and spare ourselves from all other kinds of trials and tribulations along the way. [00:36:59]

Because Jesus Christ in in Matthew chapter 16, he would say this. Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." [00:38:04]

You are created in the image of God. You are infinitely valued and loved by your heavenly father. And so you need to come with it from that vantage point. But then as Jesus would say that you would come if you're going to come after me, if you're going to follow me, you want to deny yourself. [00:38:47]

In other words, you want to submit yourself to the to the leading and to the work of Jesus Christ. In other words, you're you're laying aside those things that encumber and trap you. and so that you can be released to live the the abundant flourishing that God would have for you. [00:39:09]

And so by denying yourself, you're not you're not devaluing yourself. You're saying as I don't just listen to my heart. I don't just follow my own truth, but rather I recognize that as I as I surrender to Jesus Christ, he he is going to do infinitely and abundantly more than all you could ever ask or imagine. [00:39:49]

And I think of that image of the the backpack. Let's see if I can put it here so that it kind of everything in that backpack was needed. And at the end of it all, I was so thankful because I knew that it made the experience better than it would have been if I would have done it myself. [00:42:10]

When he says to deny yourself is just saying, you know, Jesus is saying, I want to I want to come in and I want to remove some of the things. I want you to remove some of these things that are going to encumber you. They're going to weigh you down. They're going to make your life miserable. And what I want to do is I want you to gain life. [00:42:36]

And so today we're going to look at the first of the sins um which is pride. And as Augustine put it, he said, "Pride is the beginning of sin. And as we're going to see today, you know, why do why do we start here? It's because we see that that um as some would say that that pride becomes a gateway to all other sin. [00:44:00]

And what we're going to see is it's self-focused and self-centered. It's focused on self-gratification, being um uh your own master. And even as the writer of Proverbs would put it like this, pride goes before destruction and a hotty spirit before a fall. [00:44:37]

And what we're going to see in pride is that pride keeps us from accepting correction. It keeps us in a state of arrogance, boasting, and a lack of repentance. And what is this mean is that we we come to the the Lord and we just say, "Destroy within me that which is destroying me." [00:46:10]

So you see, this is why we want to kill pride before it kills you, before it leads you to a a place of self-centered, self-focused destruction. [00:47:05]

And how often do you spend time thinking about yourself and that which you've accomplished and what you're going to do with that which you've accomplished? Maybe you look ahead to retirement. Maybe you look ahead to other successes or whatever success would look for like for you. [00:51:21]

And you see how pride is prevalent here. And again, it's easy to point out pride in the story. It's more difficult when you begin to allow Jesus to infiltrate your own attitudes and perceptions about what it means to be a religious person. [00:56:26]

And so you see how how subtle pride begins to creep in to our lives. Do you realize, you know, why we need to kill it? Because it's killing us and we need to kill it before it kills. So as you're beginning to think about about this all focus will always be upon self. [01:02:14]

If you want to begin to kill the pride look for an embodiment of a life of prideilling humble service. So embody a life of prideilling humble service. So if we're denying ourselves and we're saying Jesus come and remove these things, one of the things that God Jesus will remove is pride, but one of the things he will insert is this prideilling humble service. [01:03:43]

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