Upside Down: Humility vs. Pride

(Refreshed from November 2011)

 "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart..." (Matthew 11:29)

I have been thinking about the word “humility” for a few years now.  The Lord continues to bring it to mind as a quality He holds very dear. Because of that, it is something I desire to exhibit in my life. I hear Jesus’ invitation over and over again: “…learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart...” Matthew 11:29.

Humility

As I read, or listen, to the Bible, I see humility woven throughout its pages. It's found in the Law, the Prophets, the Psalms, Proverbs, the lives of God's servants, and throughout the New Testament. God is very consistent with communicating the things He values, and humility appears to be one of them. 

I have come to the conclusion that if we desire to know God, and want to be a disciple of the Lord, we will also need to come to know true humility because they are one and the same.

So, before writing this blog, I thought I should look the word up to make sure I knew what it really meant!!  You know how you go about “thinking” you know what a word means only to discover you were mistaken…? 

This is what I discovered; several dictionary definitions described humility as freedom from pride, a modest view of oneself, and a recognition of our own weakness and imperfections.

Along the way I also came across two sayings that helped me with the definition:

"Humility is a strange thing. The minute you think you've got it, you've lost it."

And,

"Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less."

I loved the second one! But there is certainly truth in both of those statements.

As it turns out, after going through this research, and talking about it with Tom, I am walking away with even more questions than when I started.

Because I don't believe biblical humility is the same thing as thinking you're worthless. Nor do I believe it is false humility, where we constantly put ourselves down. And it certainly isn't unhealthy codependency, something I have personally struggled with over the years.

So what is it?

I think I'm beginning to understand it this way.

True humility is knowing exactly who you are apart from Christ—and exactly who you are because of Christ.

Apart from Him, I am a sinner who can do nothing to earn God's favor. But because of Him, I am redeemed, forgiven, deeply loved, and bought with an incredible price.

It’s not that we feel like we are weak and worthless, it’s that we KNOW who we are in Christ and we are completely reliant upon Him and our confidence rests in Him and not in ourselves or our own abilities. We know that even at our worst, Christ loved us enough to die for us. Again, it isn't confidence in ourselves. It's confidence in Christ.

The more we recognize our desperate need for Him, the less consumed we become with promoting ourselves. Our focus gradually shifts away from our own desires, ambitions, and recognition, and toward loving Him and serving His Kingdom.

Maybe that's why humility actually requires tremendous strength. The world often sees humility as weakness. Jesus demonstrated exactly the opposite.

It takes incredible courage to surrender your own agenda, lay down your rights, trust God's timing, and rely completely upon Him. There is nothing weak about that.

This is where I believe God's Kingdom becomes completely upside down.

Our culture constantly tells us to pursue ourselves.

Protect yourself.

Promote yourself.

Believe in yourself.

Take care of yourself first.

You deserve more.

You deserve recognition.

You deserve comfort.

You deserve success.

Everything points back to self. But Jesus points in the opposite direction. He teaches us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him.

The world tells us to climb higher. Jesus teaches us to kneel lower.

The world says the greatest person is the one being served. Jesus says the greatest is the servant of all.

One kingdom is built on pride. The other is built on humility.

As I continued thinking about this, I found myself looking at some of the people God specifically describes as humble. It is said of Moses; “Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3).

Then there is David, a man after God’s own heart. Although he had already been anointed king, he refused to seize the throne from Saul. Instead, he waited for God's timing. David trusted that if God had made the promise, God would also fulfill it.

Then there is Daniel, whom the angel of the Lord said “… Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard…” Daniel 10:12.

Daniel experienced both honor and humiliation. One day he belonged to Judah's nobility; the next he was a captive in Babylon. Yet throughout it all, he remained faithful, dependent upon God, and unwilling to compromise.

Then, of course, we come to Jesus. If anyone had noble birth, and the right to exalt Himself, it was Him. Yet He laid aside the glory of heaven to become one of us and entered life as a helpless baby.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians, “… though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”

Jesus, the only truly sinless person who has ever lived chose mercy instead of condemnation. Compassion instead of superiority. Forgiveness instead of judgment. Jesus didn't merely teach humility. He embodied it.

As Tom and I continued talking about this, the word intercession came up. 

Jesus intercedes for us before the Father. Moses interceded for Israel. David interceded for his people as a king of Israel. Daniel prayed and confessed the sins of his nation as though they were his own.

None of them stood above the people they prayed for. They stood with them. Could this be another example of humility?

Here is another thought. Oswald always talks about God’s nature in us, that the Father speaks to His Holy Spirit who is in us. Here is a quote along those lines: “There is no possibility of questioning God when He speaks, if He speaks to His own nature in me. Prompt obedience is the only result. When Jesus says, "Come," I simply come; when He says, "Let go," I let go; when He says, "Trust God in this matter," I trust. This work of obedience is the evidence that the nature of God is in me.” (My Utmost for His highest, November 17^th)

So, the thought is, since Jesus is “gentle and humble at heart” and His Spirit is in us, and if our desire is what John the Baptist said: "He must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:30), then could God be working the attributes of Christ in us as we yield, obey, and die to ourselves?

Could it be that Christ’s humility surfaces in us as we surrender our will and ways and allow Him to be Lord of our lives? Maybe humility isn't something we manufacture. Maybe it's something Christ produces within us.

Ok, this is where I have landed on this upside-down subject. The world values pride and self-reliance, The Kingdom values surrender and reliance upon God.

The more I look at Jesus, the more I realize humility isn't weakness. It's trusting God enough that we no longer have to protect, promote, or prove ourselves. Our lives are safely held in His hands.

But of course, I am still learning, asking questions and allowing God to shape my understanding.

What about you? I would love to hear YOUR thoughts. How do you define humility?  How has God taught you what it means?

Oh, Father in heaven, please help us to focus on Your truths and Your Kingdom principles and Your ways and not the worlds. Lord, show us what true humility is and what it looks like. Help us to rid ourselves of pride, arrogance and self-righteousness and instead, embrace true humility which brings you delight. Thank you Lord for Your Holy Spirit that will continue to teach and show us how to walk in Your ways and in Your humility.  I pray that you give us the courage and the strength to follow in Your footsteps.  In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

Selah

 

Humility is one of the great paradoxes of God's Kingdom. The world tells us to elevate ourselves, but Jesus invites us to lay ourselves down. Pride clings to control; humility rests in God's hands.

 

Perhaps humility isn't about having a low opinion of ourselves at all. Perhaps it's about having such a high view of Christ that self gradually moves out of the center.

 

When Christ becomes our confidence, we no longer have to prove our worth, defend our reputation, or strive for recognition. We are free to love, to serve, and to trust the One who holds our future.

 

Questions for Reflection

 

·        Where do I find myself striving to protect or promote myself?

·        Do I find my confidence in my own abilities or in Christ?

·        Is there someone God is calling me to pray for or serve with greater compassion?

·        What would "less of me and more of Him" look like in my life this week?

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus..." (Philippians 2:3–5)