Do you know the great thing about humility? The great thing is there’s really no downside. Seriously. Really, we aren’t missing out on anything when we are being humble. You could try to make the case that you’re missing out on any glory that you might try to grab for yourself. But, really, any time we try to put the spotlight on ourselves, it’s not an appealing look. So, that’s why I say there’s no downside.
So, what’s the upside? If we look at the definition of humility it states that it’s ‘having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s own importance.’ However, I would clarify it to say that it’s not so much having a low opinion of ourselves as it is keeping ourselves in the proper perspective. I don’t think someone walking around and telling themselves they’re ‘a nothing and a nobody’ is displaying the proper definition of humility. We can still think something of ourselves and be humble in the process. Recognizing your gifts and talents is still allowed. Because the reality is that we all are good at something. So, if we acknowledge our gifts to the right degree we are really just putting things in the proper perspective.
Have you ever known someone, or met someone, who was always talking about themselves in such grand terms? Everything they did was the best, their possessions they owned were the best, and the people they know are the best. If you went by their sole opinion alone you would go away thinking they were Superman, or Superwoman. Of course it’s best for us to take these people with a grain of salt and realize that the truth is probably somewhere north of nothingness and somewhere south of superhuman. I think many times, in these situations, these people are trying to compensate for some ineptness that they feel in themselves.
Then there’s people who display false humility. It’s true. Some of us take great pride in our humility. We may have all done this at some point, or to some degree. This is where someone pays us a compliment and we either try to deny it or diminish it in some way, but on the inside we’re really thinking, “I’m so glad they finally realized my greatness. What took them so long to see it?” So, you can see there’s a great disparity between thought and action there. We’re not being very genuine or real in these times.
So, what’s a good way to prevent this? Well, I would say, putting it in its simplest terms, humility is just being real. Maybe humility is just being our most true authentic selves. I think it’s being who we were made to be and being comfortable with that. In this case, we aren’t insecure around other people and who they are, or what they can do. We’re even secure enough to pay meaningful compliments and honestly be happy for them and their “greatness”. I’m just kidding. I was just seeing if you were still paying attention.
I like this parable Jesus tells in Luke. In Luke 14:8-10 it says “When thou art bidden of any [man] to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.” Now, picture this scenario. Imagine if you were at a wedding and you just presumed, because of your high opinion of yourself, that you could just go sit at the table of the wedding party. You may be a distant relative or even a friend of a friend. Of course, the entire wedding party would be wondering what you’re doing there. Then, inevitably, you would be asked to take a table in the corner somewhere. That would be pretty embarrassing. But picture if you placed yourself at the lowest table in the room. Most people don’t know who you are. But, say the bride or the groom know you. They notice that you’re sitting at such a low table. And because of their high opinion of you they insist you come sit at a closer table, or maybe even their table. You would feel much better in that case, wouldn’t you? I think Jesus shows us here the value of humility.
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See, I truly believe that when we go about our lives in a manner of humility that God will make sure we receive the recognition we deserve to receive. In 1 Peter 5:6 it says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” So, we don’t need to make sure that other people are seeing our good qualities. God will make sure it’s known. Like we trust God with everything else, we can trust him with our recognition as well.
Here’s another take on this topic. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 it says “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” God is responding here to Paul’s petition for being relieved of his infirmity. I know that this is speaking about weakness here, and probably physical weakness. But I believe there is an important principle here. See, Paul states in this instance that, “lest he be exalted above measure” he was given this ‘thorn in the flesh’. Due to the great revelations he could have easily started overestimating himself. So, sometimes we can be used in greater ways through our weaknesses. God says his strength is made perfect in weakness. Why is that? Well, sometimes our pride can get in the way of God using us. And when we are humble God has a pure vessel through which he can work. So, there’s really no downside to being humble.
Luke 14:8-10 it says “When thou art bidden of any [man] to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.”
1 Peter 5:6 it says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”
2 Corinthians 12:9 it says “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”