1 Peter 5:5
“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE”.
To clothe oneself is how we present ourselves to the world. We all want to project something. It may be professional, casual, athletic, tough, invisible, and more. God wants us to be humble.
Pride is introduced in the bible through the devil and his “I wills”. This is in Isaiah 14:13,14. He was seeking to exalt himself; it was all about him.
God wants us to be different. Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves”. It’s not supposed to be about us. That’s devilish.
To be self-absorbed is misery (Titus 3:3). Peter told us in the previous chapter that “time was sufficient for us to have fulfilled the desire of the gentiles”. We know it doesn’t work. We’ve tried to live in a manner in which it’s about us. It leads to greater misery.
It’s interesting that Peter specifically addresses the “younger men”. To be young and cocky is common at that age.
We are to be humble. This doesn’t mean we are actually “lesser than”. We are equal to others. It helps to understand how God views us. John 3:16 demonstrates the great love He has for us. Psalm 139:17,18 says that God has wonderful thoughts about us. It’s not just a few. He has them without limit.
To know that we are cared for helps us to put others first; to be humble.
Lord, thank You that You’ve got us. Help us to be humble.