Victory that Keeps Us Humble

When life bumps us, what is inside flows out. A heart full of Jesus overflows with humility and grace.

Devotional Credit: His Victorious Indwelling compiled by Nick Harrison
Photo Credit: Unsplash

This devotional reminds us that trusting Jesus for daily victory can bring with it a subtle temptation. As Charles G. Trumbull points out, once we discover the secret of victory, we may be surrounded by fellow believers who have not yet seen or experienced it. In that moment, the peril of pride can creep in. We may be tempted to look down on others, to speak a critical word, or to act as if we are somehow better. Yet the truth is clear: our victory is not ours at all, but His.

Trumbull emphasizes that the victorious believer is in no way superior in self-nature to a carnal believer who is struggling. Both remain hopeless in themselves. The only difference is Jesus, who is our life. He alone is the victory. To think otherwise is to slip into sin and lose sight of grace. Pride is always crouching at the door, ready to distort the beauty of Christ’s indwelling life by making it about us instead of Him.

The reading brings us back to humility. All credit belongs to Jesus. The glory and honor of victory are His alone. True victory keeps us low before Him, resting not in what we have attained but in the One who lives in us. This humility guards us from the peril of a “holier than thou” spirit. It also preserves the sweetness of fellowship with other believers, because instead of measuring them, we point them to the same fountain of grace that sustains us.

John Newton adds a further reminder: when we first step into the Christian life, we may expect riches and power, but God’s plan is to teach us dependence. He strips us of illusions of strength so that we can walk in the reality of being poor in ourselves yet rich in Jesus. The message is clear. Victory in the Christian life is never about us standing taller than others. It is always about bending low, acknowledging our weakness, and magnifying Jesus who is everything in us.

Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture

My child, remember that without Me you can do nothing. Victory is not your achievement but My life within you. If you compare yourself with others, pride will rob you of joy and break your fellowship. When you trust in Me, you discover that I am your sufficiency, not your strength of will.

The one who lives in My victory is no better in self-nature than the one who stumbles. The difference is that I am living in you, expressing My triumph through your weakness. Let this truth keep you humble. Rejoice that the honor and glory are Mine, for that will protect you from the snares of pride.

Do not despise others who have not yet discovered this secret. Instead, love them and gently point them to Me. Just as I have lifted you, so I am able to lift them. Walk in humility, for I give grace to the humble. When you rest in Me, I will keep you standing firm.

Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 10:12, John 15:5, Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:6-11, Philippians 2:3-5, James 4:6-7, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Matthew 5:3.

Real-Life Analogy

Think of a jar filled with water placed on a table. When bumped, whatever is inside spills out. If the jar is full of clear water, that is what flows out. If filled with something bitter, bitterness spills instead. Our hearts are like that jar. When life bumps us, what comes out shows what we are full of. If pride fills the heart, criticism spills out. But if Jesus fills the heart, humility and love overflow.

Today, when I am tempted to measure myself against someone else, I can quietly rest and say, “Lord, I trust You to live Your life through me in this moment.” Instead of reacting in pride, I can let His humility and grace flow out of me into my words and actions.

Prayer of Confidence

Lord, I thank You that victory belongs to You alone. I rejoice that I have nothing in myself to boast of, for all the honor and glory are Yours. I rest in the truth that Your life in me is my only sufficiency. I am grateful that You protect me from pride by reminding me of my weakness and pointing me always to Your fullness. Thank You that in every moment, I live not by my strength but by Your life within me.