Sometimes, it can be tempting to "talk down" to others or not have empathy for what they are going through. However, a good dose of humility goes a long way. I’m not saying we should continue to beat ourselves up over our pasts. No. We should look ahead to the path God sets before us. But it is with a humble heart that we should approach others on this path. As it says in one of my favorite scriptures:
Philippians 2:3-7 King James Version (KJV)
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
I knew a preacher years ago, who constantly said during his sermons, "You didn't get that did you?" or "You'll get that on the way home." Now, if someone's joking, that's one thing. I laugh right with them. But if they're serious, whoa. I didn't like it when the preacher implied I couldn’t even “get” what he was talking about. I had understood. I didn't need to be insulted. And, (while I’m at it) I don’t need to be told that I should have given a bigger “Amen,” or told that what they just said deserved more applause than they got. When did glorifying Jesus as Lord and Savior become about acknowledging how “good” the preacher was preaching?
I also knew a person one time who treated me as though I were beneath them spiritually. They had some position in the church and I guess they had the "big fish, little pond," syndrome. How silly! Every time I tried to talk to this person, they held me at arms length and were quick to expound upon their own importance. I finally just found myself avoiding them and when they told me they loved me as I passed by them, I didn’t believe it.
But I’ve been guilty of that myself before. I have found myself treating someone as though they were not my spiritual equal and God dealt with my heart about that one. I was ashamed of my behavior and determined within myself to not stoop to such petty comparisons again. It is only with Jesus I should compare myself and that will tell me better where I stand while helping me have the right attitude toward others.
Oh, how Jesus doesn't want us to set ourselves up above others! When He, as God of all glory--as Creator and King, humbled Himself to be able to help us, how can we, as His very creations, have a different attitude and be in His will?
Compare yourself with Christ, my friend. That will keep you humble.