Jesus First: Seven Practices to Put Your Life Back in OrderНамуна

Day 4: The Practice of Humility

Putting Jesus first isn’t only about admiring Him. It’s also about allowing yourself to be confronted by Him and formed into His likeness. One of the clearest – and most countercultural – ways we do this is through the practice of humility.

In a world obsessed with platform, pride, and personal success, humility feels upside-down. But it’s the very posture that places Jesus – not ourselves – at the centre of our lives.

That’s what Paul calls us to in today’s extraordinary passage. “Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, ” the apostle pleads (NIV verse 5). And what was that mindset? Humility. Though He was God, Jesus didn’t cling to status. He “made himself nothing” (NIV verse 7), becoming a servant, choosing the lowest place – even to the point of crucifixion. This is the deep humility of heaven: self-emptying love. And it’s the only way to live a truly “Jesus first” life.

Pride, by contrast, is subtle and shape-shifting. It shows up in comparison, control, defensiveness, unforgiveness, even shame. At its core, pride puts self above God. And when we elevate ourselves, we edge Him out. C.S. Lewis said it like this: “As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and…as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”

That’s why Scripture doesn’t just suggest humility – it commands it: “Clothe yourselves with humility… for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ (NIV 1 Peter 5:5–6). The message is clear: Grace rushes in where pride steps out.

So how do we practise humility?

We start by recognising pride’s grip – and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal where it's hiding. Then we make deliberate choices to go low: we pray before reacting. We welcome correction without self-defence. We choose to celebrate others instead of comparing. We serve without seeking credit. We bite our tongue when we think we’re right. We keep learning, listening, and asking for help. We release grudges. We thank God daily. And most of all, we keep putting Jesus – His voice, His way, His kingdom – above our ego, one decision at a time.

Pause and reflect. Which of those thoughts resonated with you? Why not start there?

Humility doesn’t mean thinking less of yourself. It means thinking of yourself less – because you’re increasingly captivated by Jesus. It’s one of the most powerful ways to put Him first. Because when you go low, God lifts you up – and Jesus takes His rightful place.

Practice prompt: Today, choose one small act of humility. It could be asking for help, letting someone else speak first, admitting a mistake, forgiving someone, or praying before you react. Write down what you chose and how it felt. Then ask: Did this act make more room for Jesus to be first in my heart today?

Prayer - excerpts from Bishop Rafael Merry del Val’s stunning “litany of humility”, written in

the early 19th century:

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me.

From the desire of being loved: Deliver me. Jesus.

From the desire of being honoured: Deliver me. Jesus.

From the desire of being praised: Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being preferred to others: Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being consulted: Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being approved: Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being humiliated: Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being despised: Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being forgotten: Deliver me. Jesus.

From the fear of being ridiculed: Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being wronged: Deliver me, Jesus.

Amen.