Back in my high school days, I received the opportunity to be part of a state honor band.
Even though I knew I was running a fever, I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t want to miss the experience.
At the first rehearsal, I was playing a wrong note but didn’t realize it. The conductor eventually went one by one through the flute section to find the offending player.
I realized right before he got to me I was in the wrong, so I played the correct note instead of admitting my error. The conductor glared at me but said nothing at that moment.
Later in the rehearsal, when I was late on an entrance, the conductor stopped the rehearsal, pointed at me and said, “You are not a leader, and you never will be.”
What does this have to do with the fact that humble attitudes yield God’s favor?
I’ll explain more at the end of the post, but first join me in studying 1 Peter 5:1-10.
Humble Attitudes Yield God’s Favor
A study on 1 Peter 5:1-10
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:[1]
- What is Peter’s purpose in describing himself to his readers as a fellow elder and a witness to Christ’s sufferings?
- Review the following verses, notating what Peter states must happen before Christ’s glory is revealed.
- How does this relate to leaders remaining humble?
shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;[2]
- Describe the difference between a leader who works from compulsion versus willingness.
- How does being a willing leader reflect a humble attitude?
not for shameful gain, but eagerly;[3]
- Explain what type of eagerness guards a leader from serving out of shameful gain.
- How does this type of eagerness reflect humility?
not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.[4]
- Using your notes from question two above, how did Christ exemplify leading through example rather than dominance?
And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.[5]
- Describe the unfading crown of glory. (See 1 Peter 1:4, James 1:12, Hebrews 13:20, and 1 Corinthians 9:25)
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” [6]
- Describe healthy subjection to a leader.
- What is the purpose of being humble toward fellow believers? (Also see Matthew 20:26-27)
- How does Peter’s quote of Proverbs 3:34 about God opposing the proud support his encouragement to practice humility?
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. [7]
- Remember, Peter’s readers were enduring persecution for their faith in Christ. How does remaining humble help them continue to endure?
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.[8]
- Using 1 Peter 1:13 along with the verse above, describe the difference between Christ’s plan for his followers versus the plans of the devil.
- Why does this reinforce Peter’s instruction in both verses to stay sober-minded and watchful?
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.[9]
- How is this not a “misery loves company” sentiment?
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.[10]
1 Peter 1:6 stated that Peter’s readers should rejoice, though they are being grieved by trials for a little while. He then repeats the phrase “a little while” again in the verse above.
- Why is it true that believers can view the trials we go through as brief?
- Regardless of what trials believers have endured thus far, what favors from God will they ultimately receive?
Humble Attitudes Yield God’s Favor
Personal Application
How does your ability to be humble impact those you lead?
What benefit do you experience when you are humble with those who lead you?
Knowing God favors the humble, is there any area in your life you need an attitude change? Why?
Humble Attitudes Yield God’s Favor
Back to my honor band humiliation story.
Neither the conductor nor I behaved humbly in my opening story.
If I had been behaving humbly, I would have owned up to the fact I was the person playing the wrong note instead of hiding it.
The conductor obviously knew it had been me, thus the glare when I covered up my error.
But if the conductor had been behaving humbly, they would have never scolded me so rudely because of being a touch late entering. The conductor’s scolding was intentionally cruel and issued as payback for my previous deception.
Sadly, I was not the only student in the rehearsals that received this treatment. There was an unspoken, “misery loves company,” attitude amongst those of us who suffered this conductor’s wrath.
Whether the conductor would have treated me differently if I had owned up to the wrong note earlier in the rehearsal is doubtful. Still, that is what I should have done.
Studying 1 Peter 5:1-10 encourages me that the Lord I follow wants me to practice a humble attitude, not because he wants to pay me back for any wrong I commit, but because he deeply desires to extend his grace to me so that I can live eternally with him.
Now that’s a great favor.
Heavenly Father, may we embrace Peter’s encouragement to practice a humble attitude before you and with each other as we await Christ’s return in glory. May we forgive those who have treated us poorly in the past and may we be forgiven for any arrogant ways of our own.
Remind us daily of your mighty hand at work to restore us through your grace to be strong, firm and steadfast in our faith. Amen.
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn
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[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 5:1.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 5:2.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 5:2.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 5:3.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 5:4.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 5:5.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 5:6–8.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 5:8.
[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 5:9.
[10] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 5:10.