Luke 18:14

"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
Luke 18:14


I think this is interesting. In our society, confidence and even arrogance are admired and often rewarded. And confidence in ourselves is a good thing, I think. Ezra Taft Benson told us "never demean yourself" ... so I think that low self-esteem and inferiority and paranoia are challenges that we should work on surmounting as well. I think that the lesson here is not to stop thinking of ourselves as children of God, which we *are* ... and therefore of infinite worth... but maybe partially about how much we have to learn in comparison to God (King Benjamin tells us that we are less than the dust of the earth, and Nephi says "O how great is the nothingness of the children of men" mentioning the superiority of dust as well.), but also the way we think of other people. If we exalt ourselves or consider ourselves above other people, then by definition we think that other individuals or groups are below us, and not worthy of us in some way. if we humble ourselves instead, then we realize perhaps that even if we are in a higher position or have a higher rank, it isn't due to our pure superiority and inherent coolness... but because it is our calling for a while, and we should do the best that we can, but also listen to advice from those in any other rank (not just above), because they are equally good people, and we can learn from anyone. In church, I think this is often the case. I have seen a great bishop be released and become an equally great Primary teacher, with no bad feeling because of a perceived lower title... but imagining the same thing in corporate America makes me cringe. :) Perhaps today we can work on our personal humility, and applying it even in contexts where it is unfamiliar.