7. Humility— Lowliness of Mind: there is the trait of humility or lowliness of mind.
Definition as a noun
The quality or condition of the mind or self-worth or modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank.

1. A strong and active church will always have two problems to stick their ugly heads up: strife and empty glory.

a. Some people are just going to strive with others. They are not mature in the Lord, not yet; therefore, they give in to. Read (Galatians: 5:19-21).
• talking about differences, jealousy, envy, loving flattery desire for position, desire for recognition, opposition, forming cliques.

If they do not get their way or what they want, they strive against the church or other members.  The result is disunity and divisiveness, one of the most terrible actions within the church to God. Read (1 Corinthians 12:25)

Discussion Point: Read Matthew 4:3, The Tempter said to Jesus turn this bread into stone.

Was this an attempt to bring division between the Father and the Son?  How would you respond when you have authority or power?

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient" (2 Tim. 2:24).

"It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling" (Proverbs 20:3).

"He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears" (Proverbs 26:17).

“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” (Proverbs 26:20) 

b. Some people are going to seek glory within the church. But note what Scripture calls it: vainglory, which means empty glory. Some people just want the attention, the recognition, the position, the flattery, the praise, the honor. They want people seeking their advice and counsel and opinion. They want to be on the major committees and acknowledged as a leader of the church.

Discussion Point: Read 1 John 2:15-17, Name some examples of the three actions. Why is this so important to understand? 

"And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted" (Matthew 23:12).

"Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord" (Obadiah 4).

The spirit that must prevail in a strong church is that of humility or lowliness of mind.

8. Humble: there is the trait of controlling self-interest,

Definition as a verb   

The action of not showing or displaying a proud or arrogant appearance.
We as believers in Jesus Christ should have a life style of humbleness.  Knowing that we have the authority through Jesus, yet we walk humbly before men discerning the times. Mathew 16:2-4. 

How we portrait ourselves as being humble is not from a state of being weak or shy or timid or even afraid. But as one who knows In Christ we live and move and have our being. For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.(Acts:17:28)

a) We must forget ourselves and quit looking upon the things of, ambition, desires, positions, not being recognized, not being honored, wants, being neglected, being overlooked, being by passed, being ignored, not getting credit, not being given the position

Believers are to concentrate upon Christ and His ministry to people and reaching the world with the glorious gospel (good news) of salvation.  The world is too needful and too desperate for any believer to be focused upon himself.  Every believer is needed to reach the lost and lonely, the shut-ins and helpless, the hungry and cold, the sinful and doomed of his community and city, country and world.  Every believer does not need to be thinking on his own things, but on the things of others. He needs to be out...visiting, ministering, helping, transporting, listening, counseling, sharing, feeding, clothing, planning, and teaching. We should seek every opportunity to use our Spiritual Gifts. Read Ephesians 4:11, I Corinthians 12:28, I Corinthians 12:10 and Romans 12:4-9

Discussion Point.   Is there a difference between Humble and Humility? Explain your answer. Can you give an example?

"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me" (Matthew 19:21).

"I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not" (Matthew 25:43).

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it" (Luke 9:23-24).

"Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth" (1 Cor. 10:24).

"Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved" (1 Cor. 10:33).

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" (2 Cor. 8:9).

"Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others" (Phil. 2:4).