Recently I’ve been much drawn to the concept of humility as a result of ruminating over a few Scripture passages. I’ve come to a conclusion… I have a problem. The problem is that I need God to work on me extensively in this area. I don’t like writing that, it’s just the truth. At the same time I think that a lot of other people have the same problem and need I have (That’s called hubris).
Hubris is pride and arrogance. Hubris is like bad breath. Everyone else knows when someone has it, but the person themselves doesn’t know. Hubris is found in the quote in to the left under the picture.
Humility: I’m not so arrogant to think I’ve arrived at the truth about anything. But I’m pretty sure everything you say is not only dead wrong, but really stupid too.
Admit it or not, that is the way many of us think whether it is about politics, doctrine, theology, relationships, raising kids, how to do church, or any of a thousand other things. We think we’re right about everything. We are not in the habit of questioning the possibility that we could actually be wrong. Not only that, we believe our assessment about others and what they should do is also right.
The only way we can think in that manner is when we see ourselves as superior to others (Think through that for a moment.!). Only as we believe we are smarter… more intelligent… more mature… wiser… and better than other people can we denigrate them in our mind to the point of us always being right and them wrong. Usually the words we use are, “You know, I really feel sorry for that person…” or “I feel nothing but pity for them…” or “I’ll tell you what I’d do if it were me…”
God had Paul write in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Let him who stands take heed lest he fall…” Truth is, we don’t know what we’d do if we were in the other person’s position. We don’t know how we’d act in their situation. We can’t say for sure how we’d conduct ourselves. To believe anything other than that is to be laughably out of touch with ourselves and reality. It is hubris.
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.
For a day or so I’d like to consider Scripture as related to humility. For now… consider this.
Very good post. I have hubris and can’t tell you how many times it has caused me to make wrong judgments. The only thing I am absolutely sure of any more is that Jesus Christ died for my sins and that I am saved by the grace of God.
Very interesting topic Pastor Ron. Once again I am touched by your transparency. This seems like a subjective condition though. It seems to me that it is easy to see another and label them as hubris when in fact the one labelling lacks sufficient confidence and self concept and is therein offended by someone with a secure and confident relationship with God and in themselves. So it appears to me as a Christian I need to examine myself for excessive pride but not transfer that onto another. I believe that to be the intent of your addressing this and I applaud your efforts! I believe that there is not a single person on this plant from whom I cannot learn something. That allows me to always see myself as a student and not a teacher and helps control pride. Thanks for the new word too!
You are exactly right… to identify hubris (pride) in someone else in and of its self is a hubristic attitude. Thus my comment about myself and recognition of my need for God to work extensively on me in this area, and for me to cooperate with Him in His work.
Blessings!