In Greek mythology, King Milos commissioned an artist named Daedalus to create the labyrinth of Crete as a cage for the Minotaur (you know, that crazy looking thing that had the body of a man and the head of a bull).

After the maze was completed, to protect its secrets, Milos ordered Daedalus and his son, Icarus, to be isolated in a tower. According to the myth, to escape from the tower, Daedalus crafted wings made out of wax and feathers for himself and his son. Before they took flight, Daedalus warned Icarus not to fly too high or the heat of the sun would melt the wax that held his wings together.

Unfortunately, Icarus was taken back by his abilities and ignored the warning. He soared higher and higher, closer and closer to the sun until—that’s right—the wax of his wings melted, the feathers fell apart and Icarus plummeted to his death. No doubt about it. When “pride comes, then comes shame” (Prov. 11:2).

Pride makes us self-destructive (Prov. 16:18) and fills us with something God hates (Prov. 8:13). In contrast, humility brings us honor (Prov. 29:23).

• Humility helps us be more liked Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30; cf. Philippians 2:5-8).
• Humility helps us bless those that hurt us (1 Peter 3:8-11; cf. Romans 12:18-21).
• Humility helps us capture the special attention of God (1 Peter 5:5-6; cf. James 4:6 + 10).

Someone has said, “There is nothing harder to get under your hat than a big head.” And, again, “The mental cases most difficult to cure is that of people who are crazy about themselves.” Remember the words of Jesus: “Whoever humbles himself like [a] child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4). “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).