Pride and Humility: Some Observations about You and Others

The Bible has a lot to say about pride and humility. It has led me to make the following observations about you and others:

—Even when I have a lot to offer on some subject, there may be someone else in the room who knows something I don’t. I could learn from others if I shut up and listened instead doing all the talking. Every living person has value to God and something to offer me. I want to treat others with the same dignity and respect and consideration I would like to receive from them.

—I believe that the three statements made about myself in the previous post (below) are also true of everyone else. (You also don’t know it all, you have blind spots, you can be deceived, you still sin, etc.) But all that I have yet to learn, I must learn through others, including you. All the ways I have yet to grow, I will experience in community and relationship with you and others.

—When I listen to other speakers and read other authors, I need to be patient and sympathetic as well as discerning. My critical and corrective responses need to be spoken and written constructively and with kindness as I remember that I too will receive criticism and correction.

 [This is the second in a series of posts excerpted from the “personal conclusion” to my booklet, “30 Meditations for the Proud” February 2013. To receive a free electronic copy, email me at daniellesliepeterson@gmail.com]