Putting Aside Pride and Ego to Serve Others Biblically
Biblical Foundations for Putting Aside Pride and Ego
The biblical concept of putting aside pride and ego to serve others is rooted in several key passages. Philippians 2:3 instructs believers to "do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves" [1]. Similarly, I Peter 5:5 commands believers to "put away pride and make yourselves ready to be servants" [2]. These passages emphasize the importance of humility and selflessness in serving others.
Characteristics of Humility
Humility is characterized by a willingness to serve others and prioritize their needs above one's own. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, humility is "necessary to the service of God" and is exemplified in the life of Christ [4]. The textbook cites Micah 6:8, which states that God requires believers to "act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God". This emphasis on humility is echoed in the writings of John Calvin, who notes that a person's actions towards others are a key indicator of their godliness [9].
Serving Others in the Biblical Context
The biblical concept of serving others is not limited to a specific context or community. Rather, it is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this in his own life, stating that he "please[s] all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved" [3]. This selfless approach to serving others is also seen in the example of Christ, who "set an example of self-denial" and "humbled himself to the point of death on a cross" [5].
Putting Aside Pride and Ego
Pride and ego are seen as significant obstacles to serving others. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, pride is "sin" and "hateful to God" [6]. The textbook cites Proverbs 21:4, which states that "the plowing of the wicked is sin". In contrast, humility is associated with a willingness to serve others and prioritize their needs. As John Gill notes, a humble heart is one that is "not haughty" and is willing to "make her boast in the Lord" rather than in oneself [8, 10].
Historical and Theological Perspectives
The importance of putting aside pride and ego to serve others has been emphasized throughout Christian history. The Reformed tradition, for example, has long emphasized the importance of humility and self-denial in the Christian life. John Calvin's commentary on Isaiah highlights the need for believers to "abstain from every act of injustice" and to "speak truth" in their interactions with others [9]. Similarly, Matthew Henry's commentary on Leviticus notes that believers should be willing to make "singular vows" and to "do something extraordinary in the service of God" [7].
Conclusion
Sources
- Philippians “Philippians 2:3 (BSB) — Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.”
- I Peter “I Peter 5:5 (BBE) — And in the same way, let the younger men be ruled by the older ones. Let all of you put away pride and make yourselves ready to be servants: for God is a hater of pride, but he gives grace to those who make themselves low.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Corinthians 10:33 — Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Pride — Is sin -- Pr 21:4. Hateful to God -- Pr 6:16,17; 16:5. Hateful to Christ -- Pr 8:12,13. Often originates in Self-righteousness. -- Lu 18:11,12. Religious privileges. -- Zep 3:11. Unsanctified knowledge. -- 1Co 8:1. Inexperience. -- 1Ti 3:6. Possession of power. -- Le 26:19; Eze 30:6. Possession of wealth. -- 2Ki 20:13. Forbidden -- 1Sa 2:3; Ro 12:3,16. Defiles a man -- Mr 7:20,22. Hardens the mind -- Da 5:20. Saints give not away. -- Ps 131:1. Respect not, in others. -- Ps 40:4. Mourn over, in others. -- Jer 13:17. Hate, in others. -- Ps 101:5. A hindrance to”
- Leviticus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Leviticus 27:1: This is part of the law concerning singular vows, extraordinary ones, which though God did not expressly insist on, yet, if they were consistent with and conformable to the general precepts, he would be well pleased with. Note, We should not only ask, What must we do, but, What may we do, for the glory and honour of God? As the liberal devises liberal things (Isa 32:8), so the pious devises pious things, and the enlarged heart would willingly do something extraordinary in the service of so good a Master as God is. When we receive or expect some singular mercy i”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 131:1: Lord, my heart is not haughty,.... The heart of every man is naturally so, and everything in civil life tends to make it more so; as riches and honour, birth and blood, wisdom, knowledge, and learning, strength and beauty, especially where there is a superiority of those to others; and in religious if persons have not the true grace of God, their hearts will be haughty; if they have a notion of the purity of human nature, and the goodness of their hearts, and are pure in their own eyes, and of the power of their free will to do this and the other, and of their perfec”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 7.37: not they fear God. We might, indeed, be deceived, were it from the second table only that we formed our judgment about the godliness of a man; but if any one discharge the duties of the first table, which are evidences of godliness and of the worship of God, he must then be brought to this standard, Does he act inoffensively towards other men? Does he abstain from every act of injustice? Does he speak truth? Does he live in the exercise of kindness to his brethren? This is the reason why Christ pronounces mercy, judgment, and faith, to be the”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 34:2: My soul shall make her boast in the Lord,.... Not in men, nor in any outward enjoyment, nor in any works of righteousness, but in the Lord; "in the Word of the Lord", as the Targum; in the Lord Jesus Christ; in his wisdom, strength, riches, righteousness, redemption, and salvation; in interest in him, and communion with him: and this is not tongue but soul boasting; and not flashy and selfish, but solid, spiritual, and hearty; and with all the powers and faculties of the soul; see Co1 1:29; the humble shall hear thereof; either of the deliverance the psalmist had ou”