To be humble... [a quote for thought]

Finally, all of you, ...have a humble mind.  
1 Peter 3:8

The following is a quote from a message by Steven Cole on 1 Peter 3:8-12...

To be humble in spirit literally means to have “lowliness of mind”. 

Jesus described Himself as “humble in heart” (Matt. 11:29, using a cognate word).

This quality was not seen as a virtue by pagan writers in Bible

times. It was Christians who elevated it as a virtue. In our day,

many Christians have reverted to the pagan ways, since almost

every book dealing with relationships says that you need proper

self-esteem so that you can love others. But the Bible clearly

teaches that esteeming ourselves more than we esteem others is at

the root of our conflicts. Rather, we must lower our estimate of

ourselves if we want harmonious relationships (see Phil. 2:1-5;

James 4:1-3; 1 Pet. 5:5). It is regard for self that causes me to react

in anger when my way is challenged, to refuse to admit my wrongs,

to reject instruction or correction. So the Bible never says, “Work

on your self-esteem.” It says, “Work on your humility.”

...Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility

toward one another, for "God opposes the proud

but gives grace to the humble."  1 Peter 5:5