"I don’t have an ego problem!” It was clear that this business owner genuinely believed this perspective on his own humility. We were engaged in some very good work around his awareness of self and of God at work within. While this leader was sincere, his own attitudes and reactions revealed that he was sincerely wrong.
Although this comment was made to me quite some time ago, I’ve often continued to ponder it. It brought me to my own place of reflection… “Do I have an ego problem”? Perhaps an even better question is this…
I suggest that it is impossible for us, as leaders, to live and breathe and not have an ego problem. My flesh craves it – your flesh craves it. Romans 7:14-25 NLT. You and I are faced with a host of daily decisions that taunt our need to be right, to be a “somebody”. Our ego…….as much as we may try to ignore it, deny it or remove it…. follows us as close as our shadows.
Asking the question, “Do I have an ego problem” is like asking if we have shadows. Of course we do. The main issue is whether or not we recognize and admit that we can struggle with our egos. It is about confessing the reality, that apart from Christ and His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV) our nature will, by default, place self in the center of all that we say and do. By nature, as I learned a long time ago, our E.G.O. will Edge God Out!
Our egos are prime territory for the work of the evil one who is out to devour the best of us.
1 Peter 5:8 NLT.
Are you aware of the lure of your flesh and the taunting of the evil one regarding your ego…. your own capacity to Edge God Out?
God is clear in His invitation for you to declare the ego challenge. His solution to the long shadow of ego in your life is also clear. He is inviting you to welcome in Godly humility.
Ask God to speak to you clearly about your capacity to embrace humility. Where are you E.G.O. challenged: with Him, your family, your business, and your team?
Enjoy a slow, thoughtful read through these verses. What may God be telling you about you, your ego and your need for Godly humility?
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves”. Philippians 2:3 NIV
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Proverbs 11:2 NIV
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.”
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
Here are 6 questions you can ask to help lessen the impact of your E.G.O. on you, your connection with God, your family, team, and customers. (By the way….my wife, kids, friends and clients are reading this – keeping me honest regarding my own E.G.O.)
Where may I…
- Need to be more completely humble, gentle, patient, bearing with others in love?
- Be tempted to pursue selfish ambition, to put others and God lower than myself?
- Be tempted to point the finger of blame to others rather than face my own issues first?
- Be at risk of disgrace because of my pride?
- Be in a hurry to “lift myself up”, and not willing to wait for God to lift me up?
- Need to say “No” to my ego and pray, seeking God’s face, turning from my self-centered ways
Jesus said “No” to the temptation to Edge God Out. He chose to humble himself. Philippians 2:5-11 NLT Are you willing to do the same?
A Deliberate Application:
- What is God asking of you as you reflect on the verses and 6 questions?
- Are you willing to humble yourself and say “No” to your E.G.O.?
- Who will you share this with?
