“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.” Here, Paul equates the mind of Christ with humility. Of what did Jesus empty himself, according to this passage? Ego. Pride. Self-importance. And, if we want to be of the same mind as Jesus, we are urged to empty ourselves of the same things. If we want to be filled with the values of God’s kingdom, we must empty ourselves of attitudes that conflict with those values.
In the last week, when have ego, pride, or self-importance shown up in your life? How hard is it for you to admit these attitudes exist in your spirit? How willing are you to let them go?
Offer a prayer of confession for those times when your attitudes about people and situations conflict with the values that Jesus taught and lived. Find assurance in the promise of forgiveness and fresh starts.