Humility and True Repentance
“Do nothing out of rivalry or vanity, but in humility regard each other as better than yourselves.”
— Philippians 2:3 (CJB)
This scripture hit me in a way I didn’t expect. It’s one of those verses that feels simple until the Holy Spirit holds up a mirror and you see yourself in it.
Recently, we had a new brother join our life group. He fit in quickly — he was open, engaged, and had that hunger for growth that we all love to see. A little while later, one of our guys invited him to another life group that we’re both connected to.
And to be completely transparent, it bothered me. I noticed he seemed to be connecting more deeply there. My flesh started whispering things like, “He was with our group first,” or “He should be with us.”
I didn’t want to admit it — but in my heart, I was jealous. Not angry. Just quietly, subtly jealous. The kind of feeling that creeps in before you even realize what it is. And that’s when this verse from Philippians spoke directly to me.
We’re told not to do anything out of rivalry or vanity, but in humility to regard others as better than ourselves. In that moment, I had to face the fact that my reaction wasn’t humble — it was selfish. It wasn’t about what was best for our brother's growth in Christ; it was about my own pride wanting to feel important, to feel like our group was where he “belonged.”
That’s when the Holy Spirit reminded me — brotherhood isn’t about belonging to a group; it’s about belonging to Christ.
It doesn’t matter where someone finds that connection, as long as they’re finding it. My job isn’t to hold on to brothers; it’s to help them grow, even if that means cheering from a distance.
And here’s where it gets real — it’s not easy to confess that. It’s hard to say out loud, “I was jealous,” or “I was prideful.” But if we truly want repentance, we have to be willing to confess. The Bible says in James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.”
Confession isn’t just admitting fault — it’s releasing the chains that pride tries to keep hidden. When we bring something into the light, the enemy loses his power over it.
Today, I thank God for revealing that part of my heart that needed correcting. Because this wasn’t just about one brother joining another group — it was about God refining my spirit and teaching me humility.
And maybe that’s what this verse is really about — learning that the road to true unity is paved with humility, confession, and love for one another that has no boundaries, no ownership, and no pride.
Father God, thank You for showing me where I still fall short. Thank You for revealing the pride that tries to hide behind good intentions. Teach me to celebrate my brothers’ growth wherever You plant them. Keep me humble, keep me honest, and keep me willing to confess — because confession brings freedom, and freedom brings peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
-Rev Carlos Figueroa
