Surrender to Humility (Part 2)
By Jamie Kent
If you haven’t read last week’s post, please click below.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time He may exalt you.” 1 Peter 5:6
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6
My descent into sin continued, and I began to hate the person I was becoming. I was usually a joyful person, but anger had started to replace that joy. My words grew sharper and more hurtful toward others. When I looked in the mirror, I no longer saw a redeemed child of God. I saw someone hardened and distant. Something had to change, and it had to change quickly.
Around that time, I reconnected with friends from Moody Bible Institute. We were lamenting that COVID-19 had canceled our ten-year reunion, and years later, it still hadn’t been rescheduled. One friend said, “Jamie, why don’t you plan it?” Even though my heart was entangled in sin, the thought of reuniting with old friends sparked something in me. That small spark would soon ignite a renewed flame in my heart for God.
The reunion came together quickly and was scheduled during Moody’s annual Founder’s Week, a celebration of the school’s history, ministry, students, and alumni. The theme that year was “Rekindled.” I sensed God was going to do something, though I didn’t know what. I was hesitant to attend because I didn’t want my friends to know how far I had drifted. I told myself that under no circumstances would I share what had happened, but God had other plans.
Throughout the week, each speaker seemed to address my heart directly. Slowly, God chipped away at the darkness within me. On the final night, Dr. Mark Jobe, president of Moody, preached from Revelation 3:15–16:
“I know that you are neither hot nor cold… because you are lukewarm… I will spit you out of my mouth.”
As he spoke, I whispered to myself, “That’s me.” When he gave the altar call, I knew I had to respond. With tears streaming down my face, I walked quickly to the front. The moment my knees hit the floor, it felt as though a chain wrapped tightly around my heart had suddenly snapped. I could breathe again! I felt alive! I asked God to restore my heart and my joy. In the moments that followed, I worshiped with a freedom I hadn’t felt in years. I had come home to my Heavenly Father, but I still needed to repent and kill sin at its root.
In the weeks after the reunion, my joy returned, but something still felt unfinished. I prayed, “God, something is wrong. Please show me what’s holding me back.” His answer came gently: “It’s your pride. I want to use you, but I can’t if you continue to walk in pride.”
“Pride? Me?” I resisted at first. Surely it was something else. But I couldn’t shake the Holy Spirit’s conviction.
A few days later, while talking on the phone with my mentor about pride, it was as if the last four years of my life flashed before my eyes. Everything suddenly made sense. With a trembling voice, I asked if we could end our conversation early because I needed to pray.
Again, my knees hit the floor. “Lord, I don’t ever want to get tangled in pride again. Please forgive me. How can I get this sin out of my life?” His response was loving and clear: “I want you to fast.” I had never fasted before, but I was ready to do whatever it took to kill this sin.
After seeking wise counsel from my pastor, spending time in prayer, and making a careful plan, I began a seven-day, dinner-to-dinner fast. I also fasted from all media except what was required for work.
That week, God taught me one essential lesson: humility. Through fasting, He showed me how deeply I need to depend on Him for everything. It was challenging, but it revealed how self-focused I had become. In my pride, I had been building my own kingdom instead of His. For me, killing sin meant laying down the hammer and chisel I had used to shape my own kingdom and picking up the cross and His Word to build His Kingdom.
When the fast ended, God reminded me that I would still struggle with pride from time to time. The difference now is that I recognize it sooner and repent more quickly. I also wanted to set up practical ways to keep myself walking in humility.
First, I created a wristband that says, “Be better. Stay humble.” It keeps my thoughts and actions centered on Christ and often opens doors for meaningful conversations. Second, I began praying on my knees at least once a week. In the beginning, it was difficult and a little awkward, but now it has become one of the sweetest parts of my week. Praying this way reminds me that I am not the one in control. God is. I am to follow His lead, not mine, and this practice has changed my perspective on prayer.
What about you?
What would it take for you to kill sin in your life? Your journey may look different from mine, but moving forward in your walk with Christ requires obedience, whatever God may be asking of you. Don’t let sin keep you bound in shame and guilt or rob you of the joy of following God.
Start by identifying the barrier that stands between you and the abundant life God promises. Name it. Then share it with a trusted friend, mentor, spouse, or pastor who can walk alongside you in the fight. It is far better to battle sin together than to struggle alone. I couldn’t have made it through my journey without the prayers of my friends and mentor.
Second, attack it at the root. If something is leading you into sin, remove the temptation. Take it out of your home. Put guardrails on your phone, shred the credit card, and install filters on your laptop. Set clear boundaries. Get creative and intentional in the way you fight.
You must also be willing to change. Sometimes we need to be angry at our sin, not angry at ourselves in shame, but righteously angry at the sin that pulled us away from our First Love. Let that frustration fuel your resolve to pursue holiness. Know that this process takes time, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate change.
Lastly, overwhelm it. Even after you take steps to kill sin, it may try to creep back in. Stay vigilant. Follow through on your practical safeguards and fill your life with habits that draw you closer to Christ.
As Pastor Karl reminds us, “Joining God in spiritual disciplines is the fuel the Holy Spirit uses to give you anointing and power. The Holy Spirit is God. He is here. He delights in helping you do the most supernatural things possible, overcoming this sin-wrecked world and one day hearing, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’”
You can kill sin in your life. And know that all of us at T7R are cheering you on.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Jamie Kent works in a Community Recreation Center and plans and implements programs for senior adults, children, and families. She also leads Bible studies, mentors young women, and helps lead worship. She holds a Master’s Degree in Ministry Leadership from Moody Theological Seminary, and her passion is to help others grow in their faith. Jamie resides in Waco, Texas, and in her free time, she enjoys playing guitar and crafting.