When I was a new Christian, I realised that I had an issue with pride. In other words: I was drawn to being prideful. So, I asked a trusted friend and mentor: “How do you get rid of it?”

I expected her to know the answer, and hoped that she would give me a book titled ‘How to Overcome Pride’. Job done…

My mentor’s reply was different. She told me that, whereas I was unaware of my pride, she was often aware of hers. She also told me that she was yet to work out how to completely overcome it.

I look back on that conversation and realise… when I am unaware of pride lurking in my heart – that is when I have a problem!

Humility is a state of heart. Therefore, I need to keep my heart in check.

And so, seven years after that conversation, I have decided to jot down 5 techniques that I have used, in order to keep my heart humble.

1. Make Time to Praise God.

It is all too easy to forget who Jesus is and what He has done for us. But, the reality is, all of our Christian lives should be about worshipping Jesus.

It says in the bible:

For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it, but if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it.

Luke 9:24, NIV

Life is not about what you can do for Jesus; life is about accepting what Jesus has done for you. Jesus died on a cross to set us free from death, and He rose from the grave to give us an abundant life in Him. That is good news!

Whenever I have felt burdened by tasks or worries, nothing has helped me more than worshipping Jesus.

Practically, for me, that looks like putting a worship song on Youtube, physically putting my hands in the air and singing at the top of my lungs (sorry, neighbours.) Once I get into it I will just start thanking Jesus for everything and anything I can think of!

“Thank you Jesus that I am alive, thank you that you love me, thank you that I’ve got a roof over my head, thank you for my family, thank you that there is food in my fridge today… (…and on, and on!)

Try it! Don’t miss this moment to worship God. Set aside all other tasks, they can wait. If it is the first time you have ever done this, just type into Youtube ‘worship music’ (I like anything by Jesus Culture, Bethel or Hillsong.)

2. Do it scared, like Jonah.

In the bible, there is a story about a prophet, named Jonah. Jonah hears God, yet chooses to disobey God’s clear instruction.

The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai:“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

Jonah 1:3, NIV

I don’t know exactly why Jonah ran away; the bible doesn’t give a great amount of detail. But, what I do know, is that sometimes pride looks like self-preservation.

Let me explain: There have been moments in my life when I have heard God’s voice, yet, I have chosen to disobey His instruction. Oftentimes, I avoid giving an encouraging word to somebody, because I don’t want them to think I am silly. I don’t want to feel embarrassed. Put it this way: I’m frequently scared of looking stupid, in front of other people.

But God calls us to be obedient. Preacher Havilah Cunnington says:

“delayed obedience is disobedience.”

Havilah Cunnington, Eat Pray Hustle: Dream Chasing God’s Way

In fact, when you don’t obey God right away, you are just opening yourself up to believe lies and think on negative, condemning thoughts.

I know for a fact that there is something you are putting off, right now. But, the best thing you can do is do it now and do it scared!

Years ago, I was helping at a Christian leader’s conference. Long story short: I heard God say something. I was called to the stage and asked to tell the audience what God had said. I was asked to pray over certain members of the audience… with a microphone. I. Was. Terrified.

I didn’t have time to think about how I was going to pray. As a result, my prayer was wordy, and didn’t really make a lot of sense.

But I did it. And I am so thankful for that lesson. If God speaks to you, just do what He says. And do it quickly, without delay.

Give that encouraging word to those who need it. Write that blog post now. Reach out to that friend that has been on your mind. Cook a nutritious meal for yourself. Go for a run. Whatever it is that you have been “putting off,” do it now and do it scared!

3. Listen to people.

The book of James is the kindest slap-in-the-face, you will ever receive! One verse reads:

“Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

James 2:13

Honestly; I really struggle with being judgemental. This verse reminds me that my God is a God of mercy. Simply put, God doesn’t give us what we deserve. Instead, He gives us grace which is far greater than what we deserve.

James is saying: God does not judge you for your sins. God is not watching you, waiting for you to slip up. So why do you judge others without being merciful? If you do that, you’ll be judged, whilst they delight in God’s mercy! Ouch!

I became a Christian 7 years ago. Back then, a lovely, Jesus-following family took me under their wing, often invited me to eat with them and even gave me a key to their home. They asked me questions, listened to me and – even though my life was a bit of a mess – they didn’t condemn me or judge me. They just kept listening to me.

I look back and I think: wow! I really want to be like that Christian family! I want to love people and listen to them, without trying to fix them or change them.

I want to sit and drink people in, without trying to get my opinion across.

Next time you are having a conversation, simply listen to what the other person is saying. Enjoy them!

One practical tip is to repeat back to them, what they are saying to you. For instance, you can say ‘so I think what you are saying is…’ and then summarize what that person has just told you. Doing this helps the person talking feel loved and really helps them to process what they are telling you.

4. Find Someone Wiser and Ask for Help!

A few weeks ago I felt convicted to ask blogger, Joy Attmore, for help with my writing. Joy has been blogging a lot longer than I have, and has also written for various online publications.

After reading her most recent post, I felt God prompt me to ask her for tips and feedback, when it comes to writing a blog.

Not only did she reply, she looked at my blog and gave a few bits of practical advice, which I will apply to my site. (Watch this space!)

I have to admit: I didn’t want to ask her for help. But it turned out to be the most humbling experience I have had in a while!

Take a second to think of someone you know who is further along in a certain area than you are. Then, ask them for help!

Maybe you’ve just had your first baby and you want to speak to an older lady about her experience raising 5 kids! Maybe you are a student teacher and you could reach out to someone who has been a teacher for 20 years!

Don’t assume you know everything. I have completed a degree in English Language and Literature and I have been employed, as a writer. Yet, that does not mean I know how to write well! In fact, I am extremely inexperienced and can glean from many experienced writers. Similarly, you can always glean wisdom from someone who is further along than you are.

P.S. If they don’t reply, ask someone else! Please don’t make excuses and don’t take it personally!

5. Pray for Others.

I had a humbling moment with God recently. I was praying, for myself, and suddenly I just felt God lead me to pray for a certain family member.

I wanted to say “Hey, God – I got my own stuff going on first!” But, instead I began to pray for my loved one. And, wow! What a privilege.

I prayed things that I didn’t even know were on my heart, for this loved one. I just got carried away with how much God loves that individual. I prayed they would be physically healthy, I prayed they would know Jesus in a new way, I prayed they would be blessed, I prayed for their mental health and their emotional health. I covered them in prayer!

What I am saying is: make sure you pray for others, because it shows you God’s love in a new way. When prayers are always about you and your problems, you don’t have God’s perspective. God is often leading you to love others, as you love yourself. So pray for them, too.

You will find that pride is hard to maintain, when you pray in this way.

Conclusion

If you love Jesus you’ve actually been given a new heart and it is humble. (See 2 Corinthians 5: 17, ESV & Ezekiel 36:26, NIV.)

But, in order to prevent old, prideful habits from sneaking in, you have to keep your heart in check. To do this, you have to pursue God.

Perhaps you could mimic one of my 5 practical steps above.

Maybe you can put some worship music on and praise God, right now. Perhaps you could pray for others, or maybe you could send a text to someone who is further along, in one area of life, and ask them for help.

You might choose to spend a little time listening to someone, or maybe you’ll take a big chunk of time to do that thing you’ve been putting off.

Better still, maybe this small list has helped you think of some other pride-busting methods, I’d love to read them in the comments below.