Is humility a “God-thing” or a “Me-thing”?
Affirmation: I shall not allow pride to enter into my life, thinking that I can please God in my own strength; rather I shall remember that a pure life is only achieved through the presence and power of God in my life.
- You will save the humble people; but Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down. (2 Samuel 22:28)
- Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:5-6; Proverbs 3:34)
Oddly enough, as much as the Bible says about humility, it is not listed in Jesus’ “Beatitudes” (Matthew 5:3-12) where he describes the characteristics his disciples. Nor does Paul add humility to the list of the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23) which are by-products of a Spirit-filled/controlled life.
Could it be that humility is a choice that we must make? In other words, humility is not so much a “God-thing” but a “me-thing”. Could it be that we must first choose – in our own strength – to humble ourselves and then God is able to do His work in our life?
Seen in that light, humility is choosing to take ourselves off the pedestal and putting God there (His rightful place/ “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”).
Bottom line, it would seem that humility is choosing to not make life about me and start making it about God and his glory and interests.
It would seem to me that humility is a God-given choice that we have that is the hinges for which the door of God’s presence and favor swing.
Steven K. Scott in his book The Richest Man Who Ever Lived gives some practical advice on this subject: “What is true humility? It’s not a person covering themselves with sackcloth and ashes and exclaiming, “Woe is me.” True humility begins with a heartfelt belief that others have made it possible for you to have everything in life that you value. When a person truly believes that, they carry with them the eager and grateful spirit of a learner, one who welcomes and values the input and contributions of others. It is easy for a learner to honor the opinions, points of view, and the genuine needs of others. In fact, one of the most admired traits of the truly humble is their inclination, when necessary, to put other people’s needs above their own.”
So bottom line, whether it is our relationship with God or our fellow man, humility is our choice…and it is the best choice. I recommend that today we choose to humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord (and our fellow man) and allow Him to exalt us in due season (1 Peter 5:6)
Blessings,
dlkemp
