The Bible teaches us that God looks at the proud from afar but draws near to the humble (Psalm 138:6). This alone should make us reflect deeply, because if we are truly Christians—children of God washed by the blood of Christ—then humility should be one of the primary marks of our life. Pride distances us from God, but humility brings us into His presence.
The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians:
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Philippians 2:1-4
Paul begins this chapter with the word “Therefore,” which connects his exhortation to what he had previously written. In the previous chapter, Paul addressed an uncomfortable reality happening in the church:
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
Philippians 1:15-16
This reveals that within the Philippian church, certain attitudes and divisions were taking place. There were people preaching Christ with wrong motives, moved by envy and rivalry, trying even to increase Paul’s suffering. Yet Paul, being a mature spiritual leader, understood that not everything was lost. In the midst of these attitudes he believed something genuine still remained within the church, and so he lovingly exhorted them: “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”
Here Paul opens his heart. You can almost feel the weight of leadership, the internal battles of a pastor or apostle who sees the good but also the weaknesses in God’s people. Can you imagine how difficult the life of a leader truly is? Their concerns, their spiritual burdens, the moments of discouragement, and the days when the attitudes of some believers bring sorrow rather than encouragement? To the point that a leader sometimes must plead: “Please, be united. Please, avoid strife. Please, walk in love.”
The call to unity is not optional—it is part of our identity as the body of Christ. Paul is not asking the church for uniformity of personality or opinion, but unity of heart, unity of purpose, and unity in love. A church divided in spirit is a wounded church. A church united in humility is a powerful church.
Paul then gives the remedy to division: humility. “Let each esteem other better than themselves.” This is the complete opposite of pride. Pride says, “I deserve first place. I’m right. My opinion matters more.” Humility says, “My brother matters. My sister matters. I will serve rather than demand.”
Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. It means putting aside selfish ambition to bless others. It means caring about the spiritual well-being of our brothers and sisters, not looking only to our own interests but genuinely concerned for others.
We are the body of Christ, and in a body every part depends on another. If one suffers, all suffer. If one rejoices, all rejoice. Therefore, we must watch over each other—praying, encouraging, correcting with love, serving with joy, and walking in unity. This is the humility that pleases God, the humility that Christ Himself modeled for us when He became a servant.
May we clothe ourselves with humility every day, remembering that God exalts the humble but resists the proud. Let us seek unity, love, and lowliness of mind, so the church may shine as a true testimony of Christ.