I have listened to countless sermons on pride (excellent ones, in fact), but I have never heard a better description of pride than the one in a children’s song entitled “The Me Monster.” This song, which was written and performed by Irene Rose, has captivated my grandchildren and me for hours and led to many meaningful conversations. The lyrics talk about the monster lurking inside all of us:

There’s something in the dark

That’s hiding in my heart,

And he comes out far too many times. 

His head is really huge.

He doesn’t like to lose.

I’m talking about the enemy of pride.

The Me Monster says, “I, I, I.”

The Me Monster says, My, my, my.”

The Me Monster says, “Me, me, me.”Fight the Me Monster with humility. 

When we depend upon our abilities instead of God, pride is in control.  When we demand our own way, pride is in control. When we try to earn our way to heaven by being good, pride is in control. When we count ourselves as more important than others, pride is in control. And the minute pride takes control; we become our own idols.

The remedy for pride is humility.

Humility begins when we become Christ-centered instead of self-centered. Andrew Murray said it best. “Humility is nothing more than the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all.” (1)

In his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul describes the attitude of humility that we should have one for another. While we are not meant to be physical or emotional doormats, we are called to esteem others before ourselves. Paul writes, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV).

We are a selfish lot. Because of our broken and sinful nature, the pride in all of us—scaly monster that it is– squeezes out our desire to “love the Lord, our God, with all our heart, soul and mind… and love our neighbor as ourselves” (Matthew 22:37-39, paraphrased). If we rely on ourselves to be humble, we will fail every time.

It is only through the love of God, which “has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5, ESV) that we can achieve this lofty goal outlined in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. For “with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26, ESV).

As grandparents, we have not only the opportunity but responsibility to demonstrate humility for our grandchildren. We need to model a daily rhythm of repentance and renewal where with penitent and contrite hearts, we make our humble confession before the Lord. We need to demonstrate the importance of depending upon God for his protection and provision and show them the true meaning of putting others before ourselves.

Tips for modeling a lifestyle of humility.

• Give thanks to God for his many blessings. Be sure to remember those things that are often taken for granted such as good health, running water, nourishing food, and the comfort of a warm and loving home.
• Invite your grandchildren to pray with you. Let them see you confidently approach the Lord in prayer, especially when you need guidance, direction, provision, or protection.
• Speak well of others instead of yourself.
• Be generous with your apologies and forgiveness.
• Be an attentive and engaged listener.
• Treat strangers and those who are less fortunate with kindness, consideration, and respect.
• Place the needs of others before your own needs. Do not demand your own way.

May God pour out his Holy Spirit upon you, enabling you to model a lifestyle of humility for generations to come!

(1) Andrew Murray, Humility, 23.