ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION

The Higher You Go, the More Humble You Should Become

Philippians 2:3–5 — KJV

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

INTRODUCTION

One of the greatest signs of maturity is humility.

We live in a culture where everybody wants to be seen, heard, recognized, followed, liked, and validated.

Social media has taught people how to promote themselves, but it hasn’t necessarily taught us how to humble ourselves.

And sometimes the more successful we become, the more educated we become, the more money we make, the more influence we gain, and even the more spiritual we become, the easier it is to start thinking:

“I’m above certain people.”

But Jesus teaches us something completely different.

The higher you go, the more humble you should become.

1. HUMILITY DOESN’T MEAN THINKING LESS OF YOURSELF

Humility isn’t insecurity.

Humility isn’t pretending you don’t have gifts.

Humility isn’t allowing people to mistreat you.

You can know who you are and still be humble.

You can be confident and humble.

You can be successful and humble.

You can lead and still listen.

You can have authority and still treat everybody with dignity.

Humility isn’t denying your value. It is recognizing that other people have value too.

2. HUMILITY KNOWS HOW TO LISTEN

James 1:19 — KJV

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

Some conversations never elevate because everybody is talking and nobody is listening.

Pride says, “Let me tell you what I think.”

Humility says, “Help me understand what you’re saying.”

You don’t learn while you’re talking.

You learn while you’re listening.

Sometimes the greatest demonstration of wisdom isn’t what you say.

It’s having enough wisdom to know when not to say anything.

3. HUMILITY DOESN’T HAVE TO WIN EVERY CONVERSATION

Everything doesn’t require a response.

Every disagreement doesn’t require an argument.

Every misunderstanding doesn’t require a Facebook post.

Every criticism doesn’t require a defense.

Sometimes maturity says:

“I could respond, but I don’t need to.”

You can win the argument and lose the relationship.

You can prove your point and damage a person.

You can be technically right and still handle the conversation wrong.

Elevating the conversation means I care about the person more than I care about proving my point.

4. HUMILITY CAN SAY, “I WAS WRONG.”

One of the hardest sentences for pride to say is:

“I was wrong.”

But mature people can apologize.

Mature leaders can receive correction.

Mature spouses can admit mistakes.

Mature parents can apologize to their children.

Mature Christians understand that correction doesn’t diminish you.

Sometimes correction is what develops you.

5. JESUS SHOWED US WHAT HUMILITY LOOKS LIKE

Philippians 2:5 — KJV

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus had power but didn’t have to constantly prove His power.

Jesus had authority but could still wash feet.

Jesus was a leader but could still serve.

That’s real greatness.

Anybody can look important.
It takes maturity to serve when you are important.

The higher Jesus was, the lower He was willing to stoop to help somebody else.

TAKE THIS HOME

Before you respond this week, ask yourself:

Does what I’m about to say elevate this conversation?

Am I trying to understand or just trying to be understood?

Am I trying to help or trying to win?

Am I speaking from humility or from ego?

Do I really need the last word?

Because sometimes the greatest evidence that you’re growing isn’t that your voice gets louder.

It’s that your spirit becomes quieter.

CLOSING THOUGHT

The higher you go, the more humble you should become.

More influence — more humility.

More money — more humility.

More education — more humility.

More leadership — more humility.

More revelation — more humility.

More success — more humility.

Because you should never become so elevated that you forget how to love people, listen to people, learn from people, and serve people.

Elevation without humility becomes arrogance.
Knowledge without humility becomes pride.
Leadership without humility becomes control.
But elevation with humility looks like Jesus.

Elevate the conversation.
The higher you go, the more humble you should become.