We all ask God to help us be more humble; yet humility is one of the most misunderstood divine attributes. It is important to understand just what humility is, why it matters.
Humility may be the vital element missing in moving forward in life, business and relationships.
Humility begins with gratitude to Adonai (God) for everything. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. True humility recognizes God’s gifts, is amazed at the results, and then falls to the ground in awe of God’s willingness to bestow these gifts upon us.
Humility does not come natural to humans. It is the Mount Everest of virtues; seemingly impossible to attain. It requires us to be self-aware; very aware. Sometimes this awareness manifests itself in self-doubt. Can this virtue that God so genuinely prizes be truly achieved? I will share a little secret with you. If it were not possible for man to truly be humble, God would not require it.
It is possible.
Humility does not involve self-deprivation. We are made in God’s image. We are not worms; God refers to us as Kings and Priests. However, humility is God’s way of keeping us tight with Him in our earthly walk. Those who fail to seek humility often fall prey to pride which is the snare of darkness. It doesn’t work. As a matter of fact, pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Haughtiness is pride’s precursor, as it only results in a fall. It is pride’s warning light.
I have observed several people who truly walk in humility. They are more concerned with the whole team and God’s preferred outcome rather than what’s in it for them. They serve, contribute, and expect nothing but God’s excellent results in return. They are secure in themselves. They are not afraid to take a lower position to gain a higher level. They are competitive but play within the rules of the game. Their reward is helping others succeed.
Do not mistake greatness for pride. Do not mistake the operation of divine power in us for pride.
Do not mistake strength for pride. We need these.
Those who walk in pride often consider themselves to be self-made men or women. They act with disdain and arrogance toward those who walk in humility, treating God’s people as if they are of little value. And then there is pseudo humility which appears super humble and contrite. This comes as a result of not having a proper understanding of one’s true relationship with God. Pseudo humility is a nuisance, and in reality, is a form of self.
The devil is the prince of this world. He uses the venom of pride to destroy our destiny. Only knowledge, love of God, and vigilance can ensure avoiding this demon. We have to ask ourselves, does our prayer go like this, “God make me great so I can serve you” (already signs of pride), or does it go like this, “God anything I can do for you, with your help, I WILL it”?
Theodor Hertzl a Zionist forerunner once said, “If you will it, it is no dream” concerning the Zionist state of Israel. We can will to be humble and achieve God’s joy in seeing his will in action.
Humility is an hourly decision of the will. It must be a conscious part of our lives. Humility destroys pride, and renders to God a pure conscience. Humility understands there are two sides to everything. Humility understands it needs heaven’s intelligence as our information resources are limited. Humility gives the benefit of the doubt; it trusts God and his people. Humility leaves judgement for a later date to be reviewed by God.
We know the feeling of success, a completed project, recognition, even consistent excellence in all we do. Yet, God laughs. Humility and praise to God, acknowledging him in all, may very well open the door to another dimension of progress in our life. A door of opportunity we never dreamed to make a difference will open. True humility will lead to a Tikkun Olam (repairing of the world).
Albert Einstein never credited his great research, or his genius, to himself. He publicly credited his Theory of Relativity to a dream God handed him in trust. Even Einstein was surprised with what God had trusted him with. The proper response was to honor God and not himself.
We must walk with God in rhythm. We must be obedient to his word and to his will. Leave the impossible with God. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Humility is the quiet hero, the empowered servant. It is the hidden secret of favor with God, that is, really, no secret.
#KEY: New Testament theology states in Galatians 5:22, the importance of the fruits of the Spirit. Humility is the master of all these disciplines.