* What does it mean to be humble?
*What do you mean by false humility?
*How do we distinguish between them?
These are some of the questions I want to put across to you as I grapple with them myself.
I read in a commentary about Isaiah 7, relating to King Ahaz's refusal to ask God for a sign.
I. TRUE HUMILITY SUBMITS AND OBEYS.
I. FALSE HUMILITY SUBMITS, BUT DOES NOT OBEY
This was the attitude of Ahaz. He submits; he takes the humble posture; he speaks the humble words; but he does not obey. His humility is but hypocrisy.
Bishop Hall says, "Art imitates nature, and the nearer it comes to nature in its effects, it is the more excellent. Grace is the new nature of a Christian, and hypocrisy that art that counterfeits it; and the more exquisite it is in imitation it is the more plausible to men, but the more abominable to God. It may frame a spiritual man in image so to the life that not only others, but even the hypocrite himself, may admire it, and, favoring his own artifice, may be deceived so far as to say and to think it lives, and fall in love with it; but he is no less abhorred by the Searcher of hearts than pleasing to himself."
(Taken from the commentary. Albeit it's not an internet one, there still seems some wisdom in it
I found it to ring with some truth and just sharing it)
Humility means to have a modest view of one's importance. The way I see false humility is an appearance of modesty but which in reality isn't.
It's a mirage or an image, which isn't true.
Romans 12:3 says
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
and about Christ's humility we learn
Phillipians 2:3-11
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind 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 made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
I see humility in play very much when Paul talks about his struggles and how he could only boast in his weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:5-12
On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
So do you feel false humility is harmful?
Personally I do. I believe it is harmful because it propagates an arrogance and an unhealthy attitude amongst people bordering on narcissism and it would be detrimental to brothers and sisters in a group.
Here are a few additional ways to pick out false humility (again gleaned from the internet)
1. Real humility builds up; false humility tears down. The same person who is quick to claim credit for a project done well is often first to blame others whenever there is a problem.
2. In admitting an error or acknowledging that one is wrong, the humble person not only apologizes but also changes course. A person pretending to be humble might say a halfhearted “sorry,” but stubbornly continues down the same path.
3. Humility is about true service, not self-congratulation. Fawning, fake humility is ingratiating, not giving. It pretends to be generous, but in reality it’s self-centered. Take the humblebrag. When asked to identify a personal weakness, a humblebraggart might say, “I’m always working too hard for everyone else.”
4. Real humility leads a person to be curious about and concerned for others, not fixated on how others can lead to one’s own enrichment. Humility is putting others first in thought, word, and deed. It resists the temptation to self-aggrandize.
So here's a summary of the questions I put across to each one of you.
1. What does it mean to be humble?
2. What is false humility? Is there such a thing and how do you distinguish between true and false humility?
3. Do you believe false humility is harmful?
4. How do you deal with it? Are we even supposed to deal with it?
5. What aspect of Christ struck you most about his humility? ( Jesus is amazing )
Proverbs 22:4
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
*What do you mean by false humility?
*How do we distinguish between them?
These are some of the questions I want to put across to you as I grapple with them myself.
I read in a commentary about Isaiah 7, relating to King Ahaz's refusal to ask God for a sign.
I. TRUE HUMILITY SUBMITS AND OBEYS.
I. FALSE HUMILITY SUBMITS, BUT DOES NOT OBEY
This was the attitude of Ahaz. He submits; he takes the humble posture; he speaks the humble words; but he does not obey. His humility is but hypocrisy.
Bishop Hall says, "Art imitates nature, and the nearer it comes to nature in its effects, it is the more excellent. Grace is the new nature of a Christian, and hypocrisy that art that counterfeits it; and the more exquisite it is in imitation it is the more plausible to men, but the more abominable to God. It may frame a spiritual man in image so to the life that not only others, but even the hypocrite himself, may admire it, and, favoring his own artifice, may be deceived so far as to say and to think it lives, and fall in love with it; but he is no less abhorred by the Searcher of hearts than pleasing to himself."
(Taken from the commentary. Albeit it's not an internet one, there still seems some wisdom in it
I found it to ring with some truth and just sharing it)Humility means to have a modest view of one's importance. The way I see false humility is an appearance of modesty but which in reality isn't.
It's a mirage or an image, which isn't true.
Romans 12:3 says
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
and about Christ's humility we learn
Phillipians 2:3-11
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind 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 made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
I see humility in play very much when Paul talks about his struggles and how he could only boast in his weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:5-12
On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
So do you feel false humility is harmful?
Personally I do. I believe it is harmful because it propagates an arrogance and an unhealthy attitude amongst people bordering on narcissism and it would be detrimental to brothers and sisters in a group.
Here are a few additional ways to pick out false humility (again gleaned from the internet)
1. Real humility builds up; false humility tears down. The same person who is quick to claim credit for a project done well is often first to blame others whenever there is a problem.
2. In admitting an error or acknowledging that one is wrong, the humble person not only apologizes but also changes course. A person pretending to be humble might say a halfhearted “sorry,” but stubbornly continues down the same path.
3. Humility is about true service, not self-congratulation. Fawning, fake humility is ingratiating, not giving. It pretends to be generous, but in reality it’s self-centered. Take the humblebrag. When asked to identify a personal weakness, a humblebraggart might say, “I’m always working too hard for everyone else.”
4. Real humility leads a person to be curious about and concerned for others, not fixated on how others can lead to one’s own enrichment. Humility is putting others first in thought, word, and deed. It resists the temptation to self-aggrandize.
So here's a summary of the questions I put across to each one of you.
1. What does it mean to be humble?
2. What is false humility? Is there such a thing and how do you distinguish between true and false humility?
3. Do you believe false humility is harmful?
4. How do you deal with it? Are we even supposed to deal with it?
5. What aspect of Christ struck you most about his humility? (
Jesus is amazing )Proverbs 22:4
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
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