Prioritizing God: Humility and Self-Reflection in Faith
Summary
In a discourse on spiritual priorities and self-reflection, the focus is placed on the importance of putting God first, seeing oneself through God's perspective, and the necessity of decreasing self to increase God's presence in one's life. The discussion begins with an observation of the pervasive nature of debates and opinions on social media, highlighting a tendency to prioritize personal desires over divine will. This preoccupation with self-interest is cautioned against, as it often leads to a violation of God's basic instructions.
The first point made is the imperative to put God first, drawing on the Old Testament account of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. This period of wandering was a result of their stubbornness and resistance to change ingrained behaviors from their time in slavery. The narrative of the Israelites serves as a metaphor for the family of origin issues that can plague individuals today, suggesting that change is necessary to better resemble Jesus. The Ten Commandments, particularly the first commandment, are cited as a clear directive from God to have no other gods but Him, emphasizing the exclusivity of devotion to God.
The discourse then shifts to the importance of humility and the transformation of one's perspective to align with God's. The Apostle Paul's words in Romans 12 are referenced, urging believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices and to renew their minds. This transformation is linked to the ability to discern God's will and to avoid an inflated sense of self-importance. Humility is portrayed as a path to maturity, characterized by the willingness to understand others' perspectives and to resist assuming knowledge or intentions without inquiry.
An illustration from David Foster Wallace's Kenyon College commencement speech is used to exemplify the dangers of worshipping false idols such as money, beauty, power, and intellect. These forms of worship are described as unconscious defaults that distract from the truth and lead to a never-ending pursuit of more. The Ten Commandments are presented as a means to reshape thinking and avoid the temptation to see oneself as a god.
The second point made is the need to see oneself as God sees them. This involves recognizing one's insignificance in the grand scheme of things while also understanding one's value to God. The balance between not thinking too highly or too poorly of oneself is emphasized, with the goal of adopting a humble perspective.
The third point is the concept that God must increase while the self must decrease, as exemplified by John the Baptist's response to his disciples when they noted Jesus baptizing people. John's acknowledgment of the need to become less so that Jesus could become greater is presented as a model for believers. The practice of sitting in silence before God, using the breath as a mantra of "more of you, less of me," is recommended as a way to focus on God's presence and to empty oneself of personal desires.
The narrative concludes with a reflection on the Apollo 15 moon mission and astronaut James Irwin's realization that his experience was meant to serve others and glorify God. The idea that one's status or achievements are secondary to the role of being a servant is reinforced.
Key Takeaways:
- Placing God at the forefront of one's life is essential, as illustrated by the Israelites' journey and the first commandment. This act of prioritization requires a conscious effort to resist the allure of personal desires and to trust in God's guidance and correction. The transformation of one's heart and mind is a continuous process that aligns with divine will and purpose. [46:02]
- Humility is a cornerstone of spiritual maturity, manifesting in the ability to view oneself and others through God's perspective. It involves a readiness to change one's opinions and thoughts, allowing God to shape them. This humility is not about self-deprecation but about recognizing one's proper place in relation to God and others. [52:33]
- The dangers of unconscious idolatry, as described by David Foster Wallace, serve as a reminder that true fulfillment cannot be found in the worship of transient things like wealth, beauty, or intellect. Instead, one should seek to find worth and meaning in a relationship with God, which offers a sense of completeness that worldly pursuits cannot provide. [48:04]
- Seeing oneself as God sees them is a delicate balance between understanding one's own insignificance and recognizing the unique value that each person holds in God's eyes. This perspective helps to prevent both inflated self-importance and debilitating self-deprecation, guiding individuals towards a healthy self-view rooted in divine love and purpose. [53:58]
- The principle of "He must become greater; I must become less" encapsulates the essence of a life devoted to God. By embracing the role of a servant and focusing on elevating Jesus rather than oneself, believers can resist the temptation of self-glorification and instead contribute to the glorification of God. This servant mindset is crucial for living a life that reflects the character of Christ. [55:56]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 20:1-3 - "Then God gave the people these instructions: 'I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god but me.'"
2. Romans 12:1-3 - "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us."
3. John 3:30 - "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the first commandment in Exodus 20:1-3 instruct us to do, and why is it significant? ([46:02])
2. According to Romans 12:1-3, what are believers urged to do with their bodies and minds? ([49:13])
3. How did John the Baptist respond to his disciples' concerns about Jesus baptizing people, as mentioned in John 3:30? ([55:56])
4. What are some examples given in the sermon of false idols that people might unconsciously worship? ([47:29])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to put God first in our lives, as illustrated by the Israelites' journey in the wilderness? ([44:44])
2. How does humility contribute to spiritual maturity, according to the sermon and Romans 12:3? ([52:33])
3. What does it mean to see oneself as God sees them, and how can this perspective prevent both inflated self-importance and self-deprecation? ([53:58])
4. How can the practice of sitting in silence and using the breath mantra "more of you, less of me" help in focusing on God's presence? ([56:41])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. What specific steps can you take to ensure that you are putting God first in your life? ([44:44])
2. Think about a recent situation where you might have assumed you knew more than others. How can you practice humility in similar situations in the future? ([52:33])
3. Identify one area in your life where you might be unconsciously worshipping a false idol (e.g., money, beauty, power). What changes can you make to shift your focus back to God? ([47:29])
4. How can you balance recognizing your insignificance in the grand scheme of things with understanding your unique value to God? ([53:58])
5. Practice the breath mantra "more of you, less of me" this week. How does this practice affect your focus and relationship with God? ([56:41])
6. Reflect on a recent achievement or status you have attained. How can you use this position to serve others and glorify God, similar to astronaut James Irwin's realization? ([58:05])
7. Consider the Great Commandment in Matthew 22:37-40. How can you love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength in a specific area of your life this week? ([01:00:51])
Devotional
Day 1: Prioritizing Divine Will Over Self
Prioritizing God's will is a conscious act of submission and trust. It involves recognizing the distractions of personal desires and the importance of aligning one's heart and mind with God's purpose. This alignment is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of transformation and obedience to divine guidance. [46:02]
Haggai 1:5-7 - "Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.'"
Reflection: What are some personal desires or distractions that may be hindering you from fully prioritizing God's will in your life?
Day 2: Embracing Humility as Spiritual Maturity
True humility is the foundation of spiritual growth, allowing one to see through God's perspective. It is not about self-deprecation but about understanding one's place in relation to God and others. This humility fosters a willingness to change and grow, shaping one's thoughts and opinions to be more Christ-like. [52:33]
Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Reflection: How can you practice humility today in a way that allows you to see others through God's perspective and not your own?
Day 3: Rejecting Idolatry for True Fulfillment
The pursuit of wealth, beauty, power, or intellect as sources of fulfillment is a form of idolatry that distracts from the truth. True fulfillment and completeness are found in a relationship with God, which offers a sense of purpose and worth beyond worldly achievements. [48:04]
Jeremiah 9:23-24 - "This is what the Lord says: 'Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the Lord."
Reflection: What are some things you have been unconsciously idolizing, and how can you begin to shift your focus to finding fulfillment in God?
Day 4: Balancing Self-View with Divine Perspective
Understanding one's value to God involves a balance between recognizing personal insignificance in the grand scheme and the unique worth each person holds in God's eyes. This perspective prevents both inflated self-importance and debilitating self-deprecation, guiding individuals towards a healthy self-view. [53:58]
1 Corinthians 1:28-29 - "God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."
Reflection: How does your current view of yourself compare to how God sees you, and what steps can you take to align your self-perception with God's perspective?
Day 5: Living as Servants to Glorify God
Embracing the principle of "He must become greater; I must become less" is essential for a life devoted to God. By adopting a servant mindset and focusing on elevating Jesus, believers can live a life that reflects Christ's character and contributes to the glorification of God rather than self. [55:56]
John 3:30 - "He must become greater; I must become less."
Reflection: In what ways can you practice being a servant today, putting the needs of others and the glorification of God above your own desires and recognition?
Quotes
"Far too many of us think more about what I want instead of what God wants. The Bible warns us that our preoccupation with our desires and our self-interests will often cause us to violate one of the most basic instructions given to us by God." [44:11] (Download)
"None of us resembles Jesus as well as we should and that requires change on our behalf. Church, are you living life in a way that invites Holy Spirit to correct those things by the way? I think probably the things that you're most resistant to are the things that most need to be changed." [45:28] (Download)
"Whenever we put anything else before God, we run the risk of putting our trust in those things. Whenever we choose to give ourselves to anything other than God, we are not putting God first." [46:44] (Download)
"When our value in life comes from something other than being a child of God, there's a lie there; you're missing out. The LIE is that we get our value from others instead of from being a child of God." [37:20] (Download)
"Worship power, you will always end up feeling weak and afraid, you will need ever more power over others to numb you to your own fear." [48:04] (Download)
"Don't copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." [49:13] (Download)
"Humility shows itself when we choose to die to self, pick up our cross daily, and surrender all. Humility shows itself when we put God first, first in our finances, first in how we spend our lives, first in how we spend our time." [53:11] (Download)
"God cares about the singular person, but in the grand scheme of things, none of us is truly that significant. It's helpful from time to time to step back and ask how much of my life is spent trying to please myself." [53:58] (Download)
"The temptation to serve ourselves is glittery and flashy, but as a false idol, we are far too small to think we are on the same level as the god of the universe. We must see ourselves the way God sees us." [55:16] (Download)
"Rather than working hard to elevate ourselves, we live to elevate Jesus. What if we had the same mentality?" [56:41] (Download)
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