"The Antidote to Pride" | August 24, 2025 | Ps Amber George

In a world obsessed with public recognition, likes, and influence, there's a countercultural call that challenges everything we've come to believe about success and spirituality. It's an invitation to a hidden life – one where our good deeds, prayers, and spiritual disciplines are seen not by the masses, but by God alone.

This radical concept finds its roots in Jesus' teachings, particularly in His famous Sermon on the Mount. Here, Jesus lays out a blueprint for living that turns our natural inclinations on their head. He speaks of giving in secret, praying behind closed doors, and fasting without fanfare. But why? What's the purpose behind this seemingly counterintuitive approach to spirituality?

The answer lies in a single word: humility.

Humility, as Jesus presents it, is the antidote to pride – that insidious craving for attention, admiration, and applause that so often motivates our actions, even our seemingly good ones. It's a craving that, left unchecked, can turn our spiritual practices into nothing more than performances, leaving us as what Jesus calls "hypocrites" – actors playing a part rather than living authentically before God.

But how do we cultivate this humility in practical terms? Jesus offers three key areas for us to focus on:

1. Serving Others
When it comes to giving and serving, Jesus doesn't mince words. He says, "When you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." This vivid imagery drives home the point that our giving should be so discreet that we ourselves barely register it. It's not about the recognition or the warm fuzzy feeling we get; it's about meeting needs and glorifying God.

2. Prayer
Jesus challenges the public prayer practices of His day, encouraging instead a private, intimate communion with God. "When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen," He instructs. This isn't a prohibition against public prayer, but rather a call to examine our motives. Are we praying to be heard by others, or to connect with God?

Jesus even provides a model prayer, often called the Lord's Prayer, which begins with "Our Father in heaven." This opening line itself is revolutionary, inviting us into a close, familial relationship with the Divine. The prayer continues with themes of surrender, dependence, and forgiveness – all hallmarks of a humble heart.

3. Fasting
Fasting, a practice of self-denial for spiritual purposes, was often done ostentatiously in Jesus' time. He turns this on its head, advising His followers to maintain their normal appearance when fasting. The goal isn't to appear spiritual to others, but to draw closer to God.

Throughout these teachings, Jesus repeats a crucial phrase: "Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." This promise underscores the value God places on humility and authenticity. It's not that our good deeds should never be seen – after all, Jesus also taught that we should let our light shine before others. The key is in the motivation. Are we serving, praying, and fasting for God's glory or our own?

Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of humility that Jesus addresses is forgiveness. He states unequivocally, "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." This direct correlation between our willingness to forgive and God's forgiveness of us strikes at the heart of pride. It's easy to hold onto grudges, to demand apologies, to feel justified in our anger. But true humility recognizes our own need for forgiveness and extends that same grace to others.

Living this way – in humility, forgiveness, and hidden devotion – isn't easy. It goes against our natural desires for recognition and vindication. It requires a daily surrender, a constant realignment of our hearts with God's. But the rewards, Jesus promises, are immeasurable.

So how do we begin this journey towards a hidden life of humility? Here are a few practical steps:

1. Examine your motivations: Before you act, post, or pray, ask yourself why you're doing it. Is it truly for God's glory, or are you seeking admiration?

2. Practice secret acts of kindness: Look for opportunities to serve others in ways that can't be traced back to you.

3. Develop a consistent private prayer life: Set aside time each day for quiet, personal communion with God.

4. Fast in secret: If you choose to fast, don't announce it. Let it be between you and God.

5. Forgive proactively: Don't wait for apologies. Choose to forgive, even when it's hard, remembering God's forgiveness of you.

6. Embrace dependence on God: Resist the urge to be self-reliant. Instead, cultivate a spirit of daily dependence on God's provision and guidance.

As we embark on this countercultural journey of humility, we may find that the hidden life is paradoxically the most fulfilling one. For in losing our life – our pride, our self-importance, our need for recognition – we truly find it. We discover the freedom that comes from living for an audience of One, secure in the knowledge that we are seen, known, and loved by the God of the universe.

In a world clamoring for attention, dare to embrace the hidden life. Let your good deeds be known only to God. Let your prayers be whispered in secret. Let your fasting be a private act of devotion. For in this hidden place, you'll find what your soul truly craves – not the fleeting applause of men, but the enduring approval of your Heavenly Father.