When you see only your ideas as superior to those of others.
When you consider yourself the most important person in society because of what God does through you.
When, even though you have nothing, you feel as if you have everything.
When you begin to speak too much about your abilities instead of letting people discover them for themselves.
Especially when you claim to know more than your father, whether spiritual or physical.

Pride is a path that leads to a man’s downfall, to chaos, and can even cause God to reject him, for a proud person is one who loves his pleasures more than God (1 Timothy 3:4).

“At that time, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ Jesus called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'” Matthew 18:1-4

“They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” Mark 9:33-35

From these passages, we observe that, as in any human group, especially among those in the same profession, there is a silent conflict where each person wants to be superior to the other or outdo the other. The disciples acted in the same way, seeking who should be superior. In Mark 9, we even learn that there was an argument among them.

As a good teacher, Jesus wanted to simplify the situation by saying that whoever wants to be first or superior will be the last. The teacher did not say that the one who is first, but the one who wants to be first will be the last. Therefore, being first is not something to desire but rather something to endure because it is God who decides whether to place us first or last; it all depends on Him.

While Jesus did not say that anyone was first, they wanted to make themselves first. Today, many people strive to be first at all costs, to be noticed, to have the world talk about them, but they forget that Christ said if you want to be first, you will be last. So, let God place you in the position He has reserved for you because it is better that way.

In the first passage, they realized that it is not worth striving for the first place in this world, and they approached Jesus to ask Him who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. The Master responded, if you want to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, then be humble like a little child.

We are in a time where we must convert to being like little children to receive the heavenly bliss that awaits us…

This text is an excerpt from the book “Know Yourself to Discover Your Vision” written by Chadrack MAPENDA.

We invite you to read the following article: “Being in the Place Where God Awaits Us“.