March 11 - Thoughts.

Philippians 2:3
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
 
One of the most convicting verses in the Bible.
Earlier this year, we discussed our reactions with a verse out of this same chapter: Philippians 2:14. As convicting as it is to read, “Do all things without murmurings or disputings:”, today’s Truth may be even harder to achieve.
 
Paul tells us in today’s passage that we should do nothing through strife or vainglory. Jameson, Faussett & Brown’s commentary on “Let nothing be done” mentions, “It is the thought which characterizes the action as good or bad before God.” Whoa. We know that God knows our thoughts, and certainly His thoughts are higher than ours, but how many of our thoughts are contrary to this verse? Convicting isn’t it?
 
Then we read “lowliness of mind”. How lowly are your thoughts? JF & B goes on to note that, “The man lowly of mind as to his spiritual life is independent of men, and free from all slavish feeling, while sensible of his continual dependence on God. Still it indirectly affects his behavior toward his fellow men; for conscious of his entire dependence on God for all his abilities, even as they are dependent on God for theirs, he will not pride himself on his abilities, or exalt self in his conduct toward others.”
 
What about esteeming others better than ourselves? This does not mean to simply focus on your weaknesses and call yourself “humble”. Instead of focusing on our strengths & weaknesses, God wants us to realize other people’s strengths. True humility is not focusing on yourself at all, but rather in seeing other people’s needs and experiences.
 
As convicting as this verse can be, it becomes overwhelming when we realize the context of this passage. The first four verses of this chapter set up the context, which is brought forth in verse 5: “Let this mind be in you…”
Whose mind? “…which was also in Christ Jesus:”
 
May our thoughts and minds be like Christ Jesus today.
 
Bible Reading:
Numbers 21-22  |  Luke 22  |  Psalm 40