The attitude we all need to have.

Philippians 2: 5-8: Have this mind [or attitude] among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.1 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus->humility. Jesus emptied himself of power, and chose to become a lowly Nazarene, then was tortured and died in the most painful and humiliating manner in which a man can be put to death. Jesus, humble? More than I can fathom.

Humility isn’t something regarded too highly in our culture, however the Scriptures hold out humility as a virtue to be sought after, a quality to embody, a discipline to be practiced and honed, an attitude to possess. It is clear that God puts a premium on humility, while he despises the kind of pride that stems from self-righteousness. God hates anything that creates a hindrance to seeking Him.2

On one end of the continuum: PRIDE<-------at the other end------>HUMILITY, or perhaps more aptly put: the PROUD<----------------------->the HUMBLE

"In reality there is perhaps not one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself...For even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility."3 - Benjamin Franklin

What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.4 Are you humble? It certainly influences your attitude about life, you know. If you operate from a correct view of yourself, it means you look through lenses of humility. Humility >holds the feelings of others dear, >rightly values God-esteem above all else, and >fights the natural human bent of self-centeredness.

Wanting to be humble, a man isn’t thinking just about how ‘this or that’ makes him feel, or ‘what’s in it’ for him—no, he is not thinking just of himself, but rather the needs of others before his own.

As to how humility or the lack thereof affects attitude—well, here’s a case in point—besides toddlers, (who do not know any better), teenagers have to be the most self-focused individuals around. They regularly think of themselves before others … so when asked to do something around the house, or something they don’t ‘feel’ like doing, they give us ATtitude. Indeed, their attitudes are predisposed to being disagreeable unless they see a direct benefit to themselves!

“Lord, show us how to be humble.”

Humility gives us right perspective in our relationships—vertical and horizontal. Now I am not suggested that humility means being self-effacing or self-deprecating; actually, both of those can simply be different forms of pride that turn voices of reassurance our way. Humility is not putting ourselves down, it is not lousy self esteem or lack of confidence. Rather, “True humility comes from a place of strength and inner security. Genuinely humble people who have a desire to seek the well-being of others are generally very secure people. They are fully aware of their gifts, their training, their experience, and all the attributes that make them successful at whatever they do. That security—that honest, healthy self-assessment—results in more than healthy self-assessment—results in more than a humble constitution. It translates into actions that can be observed, actions that we want to emulate.”5

Humility is a right position of the heart—toward the Lord, toward others, and ourselves, and it affects the various attitudes we hold.

“Lord, show us how to be humble.”

“Learn to think My thoughts after Me, Child.”

“Oh, okay…I know I must stay in your Word, and speak with You often, God.”

I heard someone say, ‘I may not be much, but I’m all I think about!’ ha, ha. But truly, the attitude we all need to have is humility.

Christine



1) Philippians 2.5-8; 2) Psalm 10.4; 3) Benjamin Franklin; 4) Micah 6.8; 5) Chuck Swindoll, So, You Want to Be Like Christ?