And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honour. 1 Peter 5:5-7 (NLT)
Many animals are known for the stereotypes such as the hardworking beaver, the aggressive bull, the stubborn donkey, the elephant who never forgets, the wily fox, the laughing hyena, the quiet mouse, the greedy pig, the cowardly chicken and the proud peacock, distinguished by the long, green iridescent tail that spreads out like a fan. We have even coined the idiom, “as proud as a peacock”.
The world tells us to assert ourselves and put ourselves first. The enemy of our souls wants nothing more than for us to be mired in pride and arrogance. However, the Bible encourages humility. “…dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another.” When Peter tells us to dress ourselves in humility, he’s using a very interesting word. That word, which he chose for a reason, is tied to the Greek word for a slave’s apron. He may have been thinking of that dramatic moment in the upper room just before Jesus was crucified. Jesus laid aside his outer garments, put on a servant’s towel and washed their feet concluding with the words:
If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. John 13:14 (KJV)
Paul used similar terminology in Colossians 3:12:
…you must clothe yourselves with … humility. Colossians 3:12 (GNB)
The word “humility” means to walk in a spirit of lowliness. It is the opposite of thinking you are better than others, prideful and arrogant.
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 (NASB)
Genuine humility involves us not thinking too highly of ourselves and requires that we regard one another as more important than ourselves.
It is therefore seen in how we regard one another and in how we relate to one another.
Have you applied your ‘apron’ today?