If you’re like me you love compliments and praise. You love recognition, appreciation of your efforts, and yes, respect. You enjoy being honored, told what a good job you did, and how very special you are. All these things are fine, up to a certain point. Of course you have to be very careful not to let it all get to your head and get puffed up. God knows I have allowed myself as much as the next guy to be a little “overconfident” from time to time.
I have learned the hard way that the way to go up is down. You see I have found a biblical formula for receiving all the praise and recognition a man could ever want (and women too). We can find it in the bible. Let’s read…
And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he who shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matthew 23:12
The greek word “humble” in this verse is tapeinoo which means to humiliate, to bring low. One definition of a proud person can be one who is unwilling to suffer humiliation. Also one one who is unwilling to be brought lower than another.
Consider that Jesus, God manifest in flesh, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, kneeling down and washing someone’s feet, not because he was forced to, but because he voluntarily of his own will chose to. He did this in part to be an example, to teach the important lesson of humility.
In the church I belonged to for many years in Indiana, every year on New Years eve we would have communion and foot-washing service. Men would wash men’s feet and women would wash women’s feet. Let me tell you there is nothing more humbling than when a man of God who deserves all honor and praise bends down and washes your feet. That my friend is what you call humility. And when you truly humble yourself and realize that it is only through God can you do anything, when you understand that, then, God, in due season, will exalt you.
Additional scriptures for study:
Phillipians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing.
- How To Set SMART Goals - January 2, 2026
- He Who Has An Ear, Let Him Hear - October 12, 2025
- Charlie Kirk: A Man of Courage, Faith & Legacy - October 2, 2025