Have you ever met someone who walks into the room and seems like they’re more interested in their title than in the people around them?
Yeah… we’ve all seen it. And sometimes, sadly, it’s even in church.
In Philippians 2:3–8, Paul gives a gut-check for all of us—whether you’re a pastor, a worship leader, a volunteer, or just someone trying to follow Jesus:
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves… Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus…”
That’s not a suggestion—it’s the standard. Let’s unpack that in real talk.
When Pride Wears a Robe and a Microphone
Paul doesn’t just tell believers to be humble—he tells us what humility looks like: Treat others as more important than yourself. That includes everyone. Not just your friends. Not just your circle of “anointed” people. Everyone.
I’ve seen it over the years: Some pastors or leaders start floating six inches off the ground because they think their “anointing” makes them untouchable. Their circle gets smaller, their humility thinner, and suddenly, they only value other “big-name” people.
But Paul cuts through all of that.
If you think you’re too important to treat someone with respect, to listen, to bend down and serve—you’ve missed the example of Jesus.
False Humility Isn’t It Either
Now, on the other extreme, there are people who think being humble means beating themselves up all the time. They never joke, they never share openly, they talk about themselves like they’re dirt.
That’s not humility. That’s insecurity.
Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself—it’s thinking of yourself less. (Thanks, C.S. Lewis.)
God doesn’t want you walking around pretending you’re worthless. He wants you to know exactly who you are in Christ—righteous, redeemed, and deeply loved—and still choose to serve others.
But What If I Know I’m Royal?
This is where it gets tricky. Once you’ve renewed your mind to the truth—you’re the righteousness of God in Christ, you’re a royal priesthood, seated with Christ—how do you still stay humble?
Paul gives us the answer: look at Jesus.
“…although He existed in the form of God, [He] did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself…”
Jesus knew exactly who He was—God Himself—and still chose humility.
He didn’t hold on to His divine privileges. He didn’t flex His status to avoid the cross. He poured Himself out for us, taking the form of a servant, even to the point of dying a shameful death.
That’s humility.
Washing Feet with the Right Identity
Before Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, John tells us this:
“Jesus knew that the Father had given all things into His hands…” (John 13:3)
In other words, Jesus washed feet knowing full well He was King.
Too often, we want to jump straight into foot-washing without first teaching people who they are in Christ. That’s dangerous. Serving from a place of insecurity can lead to burnout, bitterness, or fake humility.
But when you serve from a place of secure identity—knowing you’re royalty but choosing to kneel—it becomes powerful.
Don’t Be Too Important to Care
You’re never too important to love the overlooked.
Be the one who checks in on the quiet kid at church. Take time to hear someone’s story. Carry someone else’s burden when they can’t carry it themselves.
True humility means you stop asking, “What can I get out of this?” and start asking, “How can I help?”
Final Thought
If Jesus didn’t cling to His divine rights, but poured Himself out to love others—then we can too.
Let’s be people who:
- Know who we are in Christ
- Don’t act like we’re better than others
- And never think we’re too important to kneel down and serve
Because in the Kingdom, the throne is found at the feet of others.
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