There is little doubt that we have heard or read that we should consider others as "higher" than ourselves. But how are we practically to understand and apply this? Even Paul acknowledged the truth that some saints are weak and others strong; he described some believers as carnal infants and others as mature sons. How then is a mature spiritual believer to regard a novice or carnal babe in Christ as "higher" than himself? Is a backslider to be viewed as "higher" than a faithful servant?
How could Paul call the Corinthians carnal and mere infants while at the same time regarding them as "higher" than himself? Perhaps the answer is found in the root meaning of the actual text when it is translated in a more literal way - "let each one consider others as 'having beyond' themselves." This translation allows for the spirit of the passage to find a practical meaning. The sick have a "greater" or "higher" need than the strong and healthy. The poor have needs that surpass believers who have plenty.
I believe what Paul was saying calls us to always consider the needs of others as having a "higher priority" than our own. To consider the needs of others before our own needs, is genuinely and sincerely regarding them as having greater precedent than ourselves. In this light, a stronger, more spiritual believer can view any other believer's needs as more important and more critical than his own. The Greek word for "higher" should be more literally translated "having beyond" - thus the spiritual mind of Christ is always to put others concerns "ahead" or "higher" than our own. In this way even sinners have "higher" and "greater" need than the righteous - just as our Lord said -"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Others are not made any higher by our trashing ourselves in our own minds, but when we place their needs and concerns above our own - this will actually lift them higher!