We need to reflect on our attitudes daily — with regards to our relationship with the people around us, at home, at work, at school, at the church, in short, everywhere we go, regardless of our social position or our position within the church — to see whether or not we are practicing true Christianity. Though it is very common at the beginning of a person’s conversion, the practice of Christianity is a daily part in the lives of those who are born of God.

Humility, for example, is the essence of the character of God and of those who are born of Him. Pride, on the other hand, is the main characteristic of the devil and of those who are born of the flesh. Pride existed before the creation of the world. It destroyed Lucifer and one third of the angels in heaven, turning them into demons. But humility was the first lesson that the Lord Jesus taught His disciples and the people who followed Him, when he began His earthly ministry:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5.3

If it were the devil teaching this verse, he would have said, “Poor of the proud in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of darkness.”

The Lord Jesus not only taught but also set an example: “…but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2.7,8

We know many men and women who were once powerful tools in the hands of God, leaders who made a difference and won many souls in this world, but have fallen away. They did not watch, and so they allowed pride to creep into their hearts. Some of them were not born of God; pride was hidden in their hearts and was manifested the moment they reached the highest point of their ministry — in most cases, pride was evident in the arrogant, haughty and pedantic way they treated the people under their care.

Beware! Whether you are a member, an assistant, a pastor, a pastor’s wife, a bishop or a bishop’s wife, if you are not humble, especially when dealing with people around you. If you treat others as though they were inferior, this spirit is not from God. Be careful! The Scriptures say,

“Before destruction, the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.” Proverbs 18.12

How about us, assistants, members, pastors, pastor’s wives, bishops and bishop’s wives? Do we treat others with humility or with pride, as though we were superior?

Let us meditate on this.

God bless.

Bishop Sérgio Correia