Humility is daily struggle.

But humble people make choices. Out of a choice for humility, there are subsequent choices that are made.

Confused yet? (Stick with me for a moment.)

In his first letter to the church, the Apostle Peter provides some crucial instruction on humility.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

1 Peter 5:6-10

Within this instruction, we can find four choices that stem from the single choice, to be humble.

1. Humility is a choice against pride.

In verse 6, Peter instructs the church, “Humble yourselves…” This clearly indicates that action is required.

When we wake up in the morning, we can choose humility. We can make the choice to be humble.

And though we don’t often think about it, in that moment, we are also making a choice against pride. We are choosing not to be prideful.

2. Humility is a choice against anxiety.

In verse 7, Peter writes, “…casting all your anxieties on him…” after instruction to be humble. Here, we find a culture paradox.

CAVEAT: The next section relates to daily anxiety, stress, and worry. The following comments are not related to diagnosed, anxiety disorders.

In our Western culture, we tend to see anxiety as a burden that has been placed upon us. Therefore, it requires external changes in circumstances, relationships, etc., before internal change is attainable.

In contrast, Peter’s instruction seems to suggest that anxiety is connected to our sin nature. Specifically, stemming from pride.

“Worry is a form of pride because it involves taking concerns upon oneself instead of entrusting them to God.”

ESV Study Bible:

We can choose to cast our anxieties on Jesus. We then, allow Him to author internal change, despite our circumstances, relationships, etc.

Humility is a choice against Satan.

In verses 8 and 9, we’re called to be “sober-minded” because Satan wants to destroy us. Peter gives the picture of a lion, looking to devour us. He prowls, tracking the scent of pride, and anxiety.

This call to be sober-minded isn’t so much about substance abuse, although that is a good idea. Being sober-minded, is refusing to allow our emotions determine our outcome.

Let me put it this way.

• Choosing humility is a sober-minded, thought-driven choice.
• Choosing anxiety (and therefore pride) is an emotion-drunk, feeling-driven choice.

Humble people are aware of this reality. And we choose to “resist him”, standing firm in our faith.

Humble people have a sober, thought-driven mind, that can resist the devil.

4. Humility is a choice for Jesus.

Humble people choose to trust Jesus. It takes humility to trust in Jesus.

In verse 10, we see the need for humility to suffer for Jesus. We may be called to “have suffered for a little while” like many Christians all over the world.

The suffering is temporary. In the end, we will be restored, confirmed, strengthened, and established, in and through Jesus.

Accepting God’s call to trust in Jesus takes massive humility. Pride tempts us to create our own truth. Humility calls us to HIS Truth; that He is also the Way, and the Life. (Jn. 14:6)

What choice will you make today?