Introduction:
In 1980, Mac Davis was a popular country singer who travelled the world singing his tunes to large crowds. He wrote a little song that became a hit called, “It’s Hard to be Humble.” It’s been covered by many others country superstars, like Kenny Rogers and Willie Nelson. The last line of the of the chorus says, “Oh, Lord, it’s hard to be humble, but I’m doin’ the best that I can.”
Humility can be hard, because most of us misunderstand the difference between true humility and false humility. True humility frees us to be who God intends us to be, much like Jesus accomplished the will of the Father by humbling Himself. False humility does nothing but bind us to a set of attitudes and actions which are false and unhealthy.
I want to take the time to give five of the most common forms of false humility, because they are important. Much like a blocked artery in our body can do harm and kill us, false humility will disable and kill us spiritually. So, her we go.
- It is false humility to believe you cannot claim to be good at something. We all have God-given gifts and talents that need to be developed and nurtured. It is not arrogant to claim to be good at something. The problem comes when we feel the need to constantly proclaim our superiority or demean others in order to exalt ourselves. If you are good at something and remain quiet, you will miss opportunities to use your talents for God’s glory.
- It is false humility to believe you must let someone else dictate your connection to God. That is unhealthy dependence. It is important to listen to and trust what a good spiritual teacher says, but we are called to grow in our own knowledge and connection to God. We are not to remain babes in Christ, but to become mature believers that are equipped for every good work.
- It is false humility to believe God will give you everything. This person thinks that if they do what God tells them to do then they will get what they want. That’s called entitlement, not humility. This person also tends to believe that spiritual growth and maturity come as God provides, unwilling to do the work of reading, study, prayer, etc. to delve more deeply. That’s called laziness.
- It is false humility to believe you must be weak and victimized. This is often expressed in the obligation to serve those who remain ungrateful, demeaning, and potentially even physically abusive. Though we are called to offer grace to those who may hurt us emotionally, giving them the benefit of the doubt, we are not called to allow someone who is habitually abusive to control us because we don’t deserve any better or because we believe we need to be patient. Physical Abuse is NEVER acceptable and should be reported to the appropriate authorities. Being ensnared and attached to a emotionally or physically abusive person is not God’s plan.
- It is false humility to believe you can’t be good at something. This one walks hand-in-hand with number 1. To remain mediocre or less skilled in some area because we believe we should not become too good and call attention to ourselves is not humility. God intends us to develop our talents. Pursuit of excellence in a vocational skill or talent of some sort is a path of glory for God. God wants us to shine for Him. The call to humility is not a limitation on our talent development.
Study One: Humility Before God
READ:
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time.
– 1 Peter 5:6 (NRSV)
DECIDE:
Humility is a choice. We are not born into it, even if our circumstances might be described as humble. It is also not a personality trait that is ingrained in us genetically. If anything, we are born with a nature to exalt ourselves at any cost. Pride, the opposite of humility has been the destruction of relationships, the dividing of families, and even the downfall of empires. Pride is basically a trust in self. Humility, on the other hand is a decision to trust God in all circumstances.
The imagery in this verse is meant to call back to God’s deliverance of the Israelites from their enslavement in Egypt. It was “by His mighty hand” that He brought them out, even dividing the Red Sea when it seemed all hope was lost.
DECLARE:
It is hard to be humble. I’m not going to deny that I tend to trust in myself too often. When opposition comes, I want to fight. When difficulties come, I want to solve them. When my plans fall flat, I want to blame others…even God before I take personal responsibility. Today, I declare an end to all that. God has shown Himself faithful to others and to me. He has provided and delivered. I trust His mighty hand because His character is love and His way is better. I will humble myself there, under that mighty hand, knowing His plans are for my good and for His glory.
DEVOTE:
Let’s think about how God delivered Israel. What are some of the miracles that God did to provide for and protect them? (Red Sea crossing, water from the rock at Meribah, Manna from heaven, quail to eat) How did God assure the Israelites of His presence with them from the time they left Egypt until the entered the promised land? (He went before them in a cloud pillar by day and a pillar of fire at night.) What happened when the people did not trust God? (They suffered the consequences: disease, defeat, a generation of Israelites not entering the promised land because they did not trust God)
PRAY:
Almighty God, You can be trusted with every detail of my life. I know, like Israel, there are times I fail to trust You fully. In those times, remind me of Your promise to exalt me in Your time as I humble myself under Your mighty hand. Help me to know that You are for me, Lord, not against me. Help me to see clearly Your will and Your way. I want to bring You glory and honor as You lead me down good and righteous paths for Your name’s sake. Amen.
Study Two: Humility Before Others
READ:
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4 (NRSV)
DECIDE:
In mathematical terms, our scripture today can be expressed this way: others < self. That is against human nature and the philosophies of this world. In a society that elevates personal “identity” and pleasure over what is the God-created order as declared in scripture, abandoning our pursuit of personal happiness and ambitions can become a challenge. That is why Paul gives us the perfect model and illustration: Jesus. Jesus is God. He took on human flesh, laying aside His exalted glory in heaven, to become one of us in every way but sinning. He became our servant. He became our sacrifice. He became our salvation. He humbled Himself, suffering the greatest scandal of His time, being humiliated and nailed to a Roman cross. In every way, He became “less than” for our “greater” benefit. It’s time to decide to “have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5)
DECLARE:
Society tell me to pursue personal fortune. God tells me to work and earn so that I may have enough to share with others. Society tells me to love myself above all else. God tells me to love my neighbor and my enemy, first. Society tells me to I am entitled to my space. God tells me to make space for others. Society tells me to take the throne and rule my kingdom. God tells me to take up my cross and deny myself. I trust God and His word far more than I trust the philosophies of this world. I choose His way, because I know it is best.
DEVOTE:
What is selfish ambition?
What does it mean to deny myself?
What are some ways that we can practice that as a family?
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, have mercy. Fill me so full of Your love that there is no difficulty in denying myself for the benefit of others. I know that is what motivated Jesus to be and to do what He did. I want to be love, just like Him, and I know I have growing to do for that to happen. Remind me of the truth of Your word that is perfect for my good. I love You. Give me wisdom and strength to resist the deceiving spirit of the enemy that would lead me into self-seeking and isolation. Help to me to love my neighbor with all I am, for Your glory. Amen.