By Brenda Cannon Henley
Lines in an old country song say, “It’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way…” and the thought goes on that the guy singing is really trying hard to be humble, but is finding it very difficult because he is simply, by all accounts, so very wonderful. In fact, true humility in anyone is not usually a natural occurrence. Most of us, if we have developed any self-esteem at all, are more than willing to overestimate our own accomplishments. There is a very thin line between being confident, hopeful, and outgoing, and being able to exercise humility.

I suppose that the current elections and politicians give us plenty of fodder for this discussion. The contenders must let us know what they have accomplished, but when is too far simply too much? When one interviews for a position of employment, how much do we share in order to get the job and how much to we keep quiet in order to appear humble and contrite, easily teachable, and a team player?

C. S. Lewis is one of my favorite authors and he wrote about this subject. “Humility isn’t about thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” That thought will take some seeping in time. I admit I did not get it at first. But, when I did, it changed my thought patterns and hopefully, my life.

I came to realize that our pride has a way of leaking out, despite our efforts to disguise it in seemingly humble language. We can also see clearly the great gulf between authentic or true humility and faux or fake humility. The dictionary defines humility as having a low view of one’s own importance. But if you study more deeply, you’ll learn that the Latin root word from which it comes means “humilitas,” or “to lower yourself.” One definition says the word was first used in the Roman culture as early as the second and fifth centuries AD and truly means “the noble choice to forgo your status, deploy your resources or use your influence for the good of others before yourself.” If you have something you want me to know, just tell me, but please don’t come off as trying to be better than you are. Be honest about your intention. True humility is not about lowering yourself for the sake of keeping up appearances simply because it is impolite to brag — but to do so for the sake of serving others. Pride has a way of leaking out in conversation and in deed.

We are taught in Scripture that God honors true humility. He rewards those who humbly serve Him. Luke 14:11 states, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” It is far better for someone else to honor you than for you to do so yourself. I Peter 5:5 reminds us to “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” A very well known verse in Scripture, 2 Chronicles 7:14 is oft quoted. “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” And Philippians 2:3 states clearly, “Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.”

The best illustration I have ever heard on humility came from an older minister who told the story in our local church. He said a young minister came straight from a large seminary and was pretty proud of his accomplishments and honors. He pranced into the pulpit and failed miserably in his presentation. People were bored with his message and no one responded. As the service ended, he was invited to stand with the host pastor at the front door of the church to greet the parishioners. A dear old lady walked up to him ever so quietly and said, “Young man, if you had gone up into the pulpit like you came out of the pulpit, you could have come out of the pulpit the way you went up into the pulpit. God honors the humble.” She patted him on the arm and left.

True humility is not usually natural or normal, but it certainly is nice. Beth Moore often says, “If you know who you are in Christ, your personal ego is not an issue.”

(published 11/4/2014)

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at (409) 781-8788, at
[email protected], or by using the contact form below.

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