John Stott said, “in every step of our Christian growth and maturity, and throughout every aspect of our Christian obedience and service, our greatest foe is pride and our greatest ally is humility.”
In light of that truth here are some practical steps C.J. Mahaney submits that Christians should do at the beginning of each day and at the end of each day.
At the beginning of each day:
- Reflect on the wonder of the cross
- Begin your day acknowledging your need for God
- Begin your day expressing gratitude to God
- Practice spiritual disciplines
- Cast your cares upon Him
- Staying charged up – live out a spirit of prayer
As each day ends:
- Avoid cosmic plagiarism – by grace, intentionally transfer the glory to God (don’t steal it)
- Accept the gift of sleep (he sustains you through the night – a picture of what it’s like to belong to Christ)
Understanding that God is actively opposed to the proud in heart has opened my eyes to the real possibility that God might be opposed to me more frequently than He’s for me (i.e. giving me grace). Why? Because I’m a proud man. And whatever good thing is brought into my life or whatever God allows me to enjoy or allows me to do, it’s in spite of who I am. Hopefully, through the Spirit of God I become more intentional in my pursuit of humility and in doing so, crush my pride.
Theology Along the Way 
I am wondering if you are aware of what has come to light in the past few years regarding C.J. Mahaney? I can think of few authors I would recommend less.
http://thouarttheman.org/2014/05/14/mahaney-has-no-clothes/
Thanks for your comment. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and hopefully read the post to which you were referring to. Regardless of the various circumstances surrounding Pastor CJ his words about humility are spot-on, that is because they’re from the Bible. I’m certain you would agree that in each of us there’s a level of hypocrisy. I’m also certain that you would continue to advocate truth despite you (and me!) continuing to fall short of God’s standard…at least I would hope you would.
Take care my friend.
Why are you recommending this book by CJ Mahaney?
Thanks for your comment. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and hopefully read the post to which you were referring to. Regardless of the various circumstances surrounding Pastor CJ his words about humility are spot-on, that is because they’re from the Bible. I’m certain you would agree that in each of us there’s a level of hypocrisy. I’m also certain that you would continue to advocate truth despite you (and me!) continuing to fall short of God’s standard…at least I would hope you would.
Take care my friend.
Before you promote C.J. Mahaney and his writings you ought to do a Google search on his name. Are aware of al the hypocrisy that has come out about C.J. Mahaney in these last 3 years? It has been revealed that C.J. doesn’t practice a lot of what he teaches and on top of that he apparently didn’t report a child predator at the church he was a Sr. Pastor when made aware in the early 90’s.
I would research who you endorse like Mahaney before you do it. Mahaney might say a lot of correct things but has been found to be a hypocrite. Sadly a number of leaders still endorse him.
Thanks for your comment. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and hopefully read the post to which you were referring to. Regardless of the various circumstances surrounding Pastor CJ his words about humility are spot-on, that is because they’re from the Bible. I’m certain you would agree that in each of us there’s a level of hypocrisy. I’m also certain that you would continue to advocate truth despite you (and me!) continuing to fall short of God’s standard…at least I would hope you would.
Take care my friend.
Nathan
It sure sounds like you are saying it is acceptable for a so called leader in the body of Christ to not practice what he teaches and show no integrity. I hope that isn’t what you are saying.
Didn’t Paul in his instructions to Timothy about elders say to rebuke those leaders that continue in sin in the presence of all so that other elders might be fearful of sinning? Aren’t leaders/teachers suppose to be subject to a more strict judgment as James wrote?
Would you advocate Jim Bakker or JImmy Swaggart teaching on sexual purity?
Yes no one is perfect and won’t be till the 2nd coming etc. On the other hand are you saying it is OK for a leader not to practice what he teaches? If the leader doesn’t practice what he taught such as Mahaney then all of what he has written should be severely scrutinized.
Steve, thanks again for your comment. I’m certainly not advocating for a leader or anyone for that matter to not practice following Jesus in every area of their life. I agree that leaders are and will be held to a higher standard (James 2). I would certainly subscribe to anyone’s teaching if it aligned w/the veracity of Scripture. Just because Jim/Jimmy were exposed as egregious hypocrites doesn’t negate the truth of what they preached/taught. You’ve obviously done a lot of research of CJ so I’m not in a position to speak to what he did or didn’t do (and even if I was I wouldn’t take the time to debate it)…my only point is this: his book on humility is fantastic. It’s fantastic because it’s soaked w/Scripture admonitions/exhortations. It’s disheartening that there have been things that he’s done….but again, like I mentioned in my earlier response, what would my reaction to you be if your every motive, word, thought and action done in secret or the quietness of your heart was exposed? All of us (CJ, you, me) when held up to the holiness of Christ fall well short, which should (1) make us grateful for Jesus and (2) instill in us a deep-seated humility and (3) a steadfastness/seriousness to following Jesus in every area of our life.
Take care Steve.