Overcoming Pride Through Humility

Written By Ryan Lovett

1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.

5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. - John 13:1-17

What Should Have Happened

  • When guests arrived, a servant would immediately wash their feet before reclining at the table.

  • This was especially important at a formal meal like Passover, where people reclined closely together.

  • Since this didn’t happen, it strongly suggests:

    • No servant was present, or

    • No disciple was willing to take the lowest role

  • This creates a tension in the room that goes unresolved at the beginning.

  • Why Jesus Waited Until After the Meal Began?

    • To Expose the Heart of the Disciples

24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. - Luke 22:24

  • Jesus allows the moment to pass so that:

    • Their pride is fully revealed

    • If He had done it at the door, it would have just felt like a custom.

The Same Root Issue Still Exists

  • In John 13 and Luke 22:24, the disciples are:

    • Focused on status and recognition

    • Unwilling to take the lowest place

    • Blind to their own pride

Signs of Pride

  • Defensiveness

    • Becoming angry or upset when corrected, making excuses, or shifting blame rather than admitting a mistake.

  • Superiority and Criticism

    • A harsh spirit, finding fault in others, and judging people to feel better about oneself.

  • Need for Recognition

    • Boasting, craving attention, and being preoccupied with how others perceive you.

  • Control and Independence

    • Struggling to work with others, refusing to ask for help, and relying on oneself rather than others or God.

  • Self-Pity or Insecurity

    • Subtle pride can appear as focusing too much on personal faults, sulking, or being easily offended.

  • Ingratitude

    • Taking things for granted and lacking appreciation for the accomplishments or assistance of others.

Signs of Pride in Marriage

  • The Need to Be Right

    • Arguing not to understand, but to win

    • Struggling to admit fault quickly

    • Justifying your position instead of listening

    • When did Christ ever act like He needed to be right?

  • Scorekeeping

    • “I did this, so they should do that”

    • Measuring effort and fairness

    • Feeling resentment when things feel unequal

    • When did Christ ever keep score?

  • Withholding Service

    • Not helping because:

      • “They didn’t ask nicely”

      • “It’s not my responsibility”

      • “They should do their part first”

    • This directly parallels the disciples:

    • No one stepped in because no one wanted the lowest role

    • When did Christ ever withhold service?

  • Defensiveness

    • Taking correction as a personal attack

    • Explaining instead of receiving

    • Protecting image rather than pursuing growth

    • When did Christ ever express defensiveness?

  • Desire for Recognition

    • Wanting appreciation for what you do

    • Feeling frustrated when efforts go unnoticed

    • Serving with an expectation of acknowledgment

    • When did Christ ever have the need for recognition?

How the Holy Spirit Teaches Humility

  • Through Conflict

    • Conflict reveals:

      • Where you are unwilling to yield

      • Where you value being right over being unified

    • The Spirit invites:

      • Humility, Listening, Ownership of wrong

  • Through Ordinary Service

    • Dishes, chores, childcare, emotional support

      • These are modern “foot washing” moments

    • The questions become:

      • Will I serve even if it is unnoticed?

      • Will I take the lower place willingly?

  • Through Being Misunderstood

    • You may not always be seen accurately

    • Pride demands:

      • Immediate correction, Being fully understood

    • The Spirit leads toward:

      • Patience, Trust in God , Letting go of the need to control perception

  • Through Initiating Humility

    • Saying “I’m sorry” first

    • Serving first

    • Choosing peace over proving a point

    • This mirrors Christ:

      • He did not wait for the disciples to act

      • He initiated humility

Ryan Lovett
Next

I Will Endure