We have all met the likes of an I-am-better-than-you personality. They are in our circles, in public places, proclaiming their greatness. They just have to be better than anyone.
Let’s listen to this conversation between Red and Green:
Green could be telling the truth, but why make Red feel small?
One-upmanship originated in sports. It is the practice of successively outdoing a competitor by discomfiting him. The term has since been used for any assertion of superiority.
Its opposite is humility, a trait or an attitude the Bible encourages everyone to pursue. Being humble doesn't mean to think less of yourself, but to think of yourself less. You can have strong self-esteem but not brag or make a big deal of yourself to others.
According to psychologists, it is often people with low self-esteem that feel the need to practise one-upmanship to make themselves feel better.
The Lord longs to lead His children toward humility. His Book tells us, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” (Philippians 2:3 NLT)
We also read in Proverbs 11:2, “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
If Jesus, the Creator of the universe, was humble, why can’t we—His mere creation—do the same?
This verse echoes all the others that admonish us when there is a temptation to act like Green.
“Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!” (Romans 12:16)
No comments:
Post a Comment