In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
1 Peter 5:5

As I grow “older”, far too often I recognize the younger generation’s disrespect for their elders. You see it on social media platforms, YouTube, in movies, somehow it has gotten worse! And as a Christian, sadly, I’m not surprised.

That word to submit in the Greek means to “place under” or simply to “obey.”

In the church, our “elders” usually refers to those who are called to “shepherd” the congregation. They are the ones who care for the “sheep.”

Peter tells us to honor our elders and respect their “spiritual” authority by submitting willingly to receive guidance as well as correction. The Elders of the Church are to protect the flock. They have been entrusted with the very souls of God’s people.

Only in humility, can we position ourselves to obey and place ourselves under their authority.

The verse continues by encouraging everyone to clothe themselves with humility toward one another.

The idea or image here is that we are to “wear” humility on us as if it were our own clothing. Our clothes protect us, keep us warm, hide us from shame. Our clothing may even identify what we do by the uniform we wear. At times, it makes us “feel” a certain way about ourselves or someone else.

In essence, humility should always be a part of us in our thinking and actions.

Humility should also be integrated in how we love, treat and respect one another!

Can someone describe you as a humble person? Is humility part of your thought process as much as what you will wear for the day? Are you mindful of how to apply humility to others or is it already who you are in word and deed?

Be careful pride does not creep into your life because if and when it does, God will resist you! He will leave you to your pride and will allow the consequences to happen! You can either humble yourself before the Lord or be humbled by the consequences that come from prideful choices - God will exalt you in due time but it will be up to you if it is sooner or later!

Every morning, ask yourself, what will I wear today? Are you clothing yourself with humility? Have you put on the armor of God? Be sure not to leave home without it, because it will matter.

Stay humble!