Humility – a virtue to be desired. James 3.13-16

The definition of humility is far from the definition of pride . . . or is it?   The common dictionary's first entry for pride is: a sense of one's own proper dignity or value; self-respect.  The key word was proper; when pride moves toward arrogance, we have issues.  Consider once again with me James’ teaching on the matter:   “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such wisdom does not come down from Heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”  And then a few verses further he says, “But he [God] gives us more grace.  That is why Scripture says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Women, in particular, think that putting themselves down helps them appear to be humble--oh, brother.  Remember, the goal is proper dignity, proper value of self . . . and being self-deprecating is not proper.  It honors no one.  Humility is not lousy self-esteem or the lack of confidence.  Notice with me the traits of someone whose life may be characterized by PRIDE: critical, boastful, angry/vengeful, prejudicial, greedy, self-righteous, know-it-all, self-effacing, self-focused, judgmental vs. a life characterized by HUMILITY: gives the benefit of the doubt, quietly confident, forgiving, courteous, patient, teachable, unconcerned with pretense . . .  These are not complete lists--more like starting points, but they are enough to take a look at ourselves, huh?  Are we more given to HUMILITY or PRIDE?   And, how do we correct an imbalance?

How about you?  Look at the traits associated with someone who needs to push down his pride—he might be critical, boastful, angry, prejudicial, greedy, self-righteous, a know-it-all, self-effacing, (wait!  Why does this one fit?)  self-focused, judgmental, etc.  Do you struggle with any of these? 

Over on the humility side—do you give the benefit of the doubt?  Are you quietly confident, or do you have to announce your successes?  Are you known to be forgiving, courteous, patient, teachable, unconcerned with pretense?     How many of these traits of humility are listed among those in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7?  What are they?                  Why do you suppose that is?

We can understand and seek to be humble individuals, (with proper dignity and self-respect), in several ways.  First, we must be a little more aware and honest about our own struggle with personal pride—we all struggle with pride!  ‘Think you do not?  Who do you think about more than anyone else?  --how you feel, what you want to do, or don’t want to do, how this person or that person made you feel, etc.    All of those things are about you, you, you! 

Interestingly enough, I heard something yesterday that really made me sit up and take note.  A well-known seminary professor carried around in a shirt pocket a prayer list of some 100+ people who had fallen to temptation—fallen into immorality.  He was asked if the individuals he knew had anything in common, and after long and careful review, he admitted that all of them thought that their faiths were so strong, they could never fall to temptation; in short, their pride got the better of them—and they fell to temptation, and in disgrace.  Hmmm . . .  ‘Think you do not struggle with pride?  Be careful.  Now remember, it was the cause of the very first sin… and probably every one thereafter—choosing to do something different than what God wants because it feels better at the time—to you, for you, because you matter more at that moment.  What do you call that?  Pride.

Dear Lord, I noticed when I considered the attributes of godly love, that they include patience, kindness, giving others the benefit of the doubt . . . it seems that love and humility are closely related.  It seems, God, that one cannot love well without humility.  Help me to take an honest look inside myself, and see me as you see me . . . help us to desire to esteem others more highly ourselves, and to want to find out how to get there in our hearts.  To some of us, that is such a foreign notion; truly, it is not taught in school, it is not valued in business as a way to get ahead, but it is a kingdom value.  It is the epitome of how you lived, Jesus.  

Lord, even now, I remember something you said, and in remembering, it brings solace - Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11.29   Yes, Lord, I want to learn from you.  I desire humility.  Amen.

Christine