To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to Heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
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Christians sometimes get in this place where they compare themselves to others to make them feel better. Whether they do it openly or in private, they’re constantly looking at the life and failures of another to justify theirs. Jesus says it’s the one who humbles themselves before God who will be lifted up. This seems simple, but truly examine your outlook on others. Could it be that you do this, even unintentionally? Look up and look in…so that you can look out with the lens of God’s love. I don’t know about you…but I want to be exalted by God. Let Him show you today where humility needs to enter in your life.
A Journey With Jesus 