We have a perfect example--Christ.
What seems to be difficult is to know how to pursue humility. Doing so with the proper attitude and motivation is always a challenge. But perhaps a greater challenge is intentionally pursuing humility in practical daily ways.
Most of you are familiar with C.J. Mahaney--he exudes practical advice. His book Humility is no exception and is full of practical advice that is applicable, imitable, and extremely helpful.
Mahaney starts with the following words: "I'm a proud man pursuing humility by the grace of God. I don't write as an authority on humility; I write as a fellow pilgrim walking with you on the path set for us by our humble Savior" (p. 13).
So this is what a 'fellow pilgrim' offers as advice on how to 'weaken pride and cultivate humility':
Always:
1. Reflect on the wonder of the cross of Christ.
As Each Day Begins:
2. Begin your day by acknowledging your dependence upon God and your need for God.
3. Begin your day expressing gratefulness to God.
4. Practice the spiritual disciplines--prayer, study of God's Word, worship. Do this consistently each day and at the day's outset, if possible.
5. Seize your commute time to memorize and meditate on Scripture.
6. Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.
As Each Day Ends:
7. At the end of the day, transfer the glory to God.
8. Before going to sleep, receive this gift of sleep from God and acknowledge His purpose for sleep.
For Special Focus:
9. Study the attributes of God.
10. Study the doctrines of grace.
11. Study the doctrine of sin.
12. Play golf as much as possible.
13. Laugh often, and laugh often at yourself.
Throughout Your Days and Weeks:
14. Identify evidences of grace in others.
15. Encourage and serve others each and every day.
16. Invite and pursue correction.
17. Respond humbly to trials.
C.J. Mahaney, Humility: true greatness (Colorado Springs, Multnomah, 2005), 171-172.
Seems easy right??? These suggestions are not put before us to discourage us, but to encourage us toward godliness.
Knowing that the grace needed to grow in humility comes from the Lord and that He graciously gives to His children, let's ask and ask and ask for grace. God delights in conforming His children into the image of His Son.
4 comments:
As our focus in Care Groups during the month of February was humility I was truly blessed and simultaneously challenged to consider true humilty. I already knew and know that pride is at work in my flesh at all times.
Just as surely, I know and have confidence in the fact that God's spirit is alive and well in me at all times. In this true thing lies all the hope that I have for me...for all of us to BEEEE humble.
Regardless of what questions I begin or end my day with, the main thing to consider is this: "Did I image in thought, word and deed Christ in me?
I love the encouragement from CJM to start the day in prayer, which I am aware is a true lack in my life AND in the body of the church.
When I don't begin my day praying in the model of prayer the LORD gave us (The LORD's Prayer) I find I am less likely to consider Him in my doings. I am less inclined to even think about humility and therefore not likely to BE humble.
But to intentionally worship my creator, acknowledge my dependence on Him is the beginning of humility; of "being humble" in my day. In essence at the start of my day, I'm confessing the fact that this isn't about me.
More often than not, it would probably be true that I want it to be (about me)...and praise God His Holy Spirit is constantly, tirelessly reminding me that there is a bigger picture, or infinitely more value and worth.
This enables me to BE humble rather than act humble.
When I am being humble it is not likely that in the back on my mind I am thinking, "I need to be humble here." The reality is humility is so selfless that the awareness of it is minut.
I believe that the more I think about being humble the less humble I will be because humility is not an intellectual exercise. It is an overflow of walking with God and in the power of His alive Spirit in us BEING less than me and more of Him.
I thought it was interesting that we were encouraged not to be discouraged.
My experience has been that discouragement comes often and quickly when I think that the victory in any particular thing has to do with me.
Thus, even with humility, if I consider it something I have to "do" as opposed to "be". Then I could easily look at CJ's powerful encouarement as something to be discouraged by, simply because I'd approach all of 1-17 as tasks; a list of things that, IF, IF, I do them then I will know how to be humble.
The truth is I will never be humble apart from remembering that I am but dust apart from grace.
Robin, thank you for writing this blog. I receive it as an encouragement today to keep Him front and center in my thinking.
Question: For the purpose of encouraging us,I am wondering if you'd be willing to share with us how Christ in you has enabled you to lay down pride in your own life.
Are there moments when you have been aware that you considered others better than yourself and allowed His greatness in you to shine?
Well, Anonymous, I tell you--no one is qualified to talk about humility, least of all me. But however imperfect, we can still identify God's grace in our lives. All glory to Him!
On a personal level, I think that my pride manifests itself mostly in my desire for others' approval. The 'need' for approval and acceptance ruled my life for 20+ years and is an ever-present temptation that I fight.
How do I fight it? Prayer and fasting and meditation on Scripture. No secrets...just good old-fashioned spiritual disciplines.
When I don't feel accepted or approved of, I naturally spin into an all-consuming, introspective 'self-fest.' I replace God with the idol I make of myself.
When I am living in the flesh, I am ruled by the desire to be approved of (pride). I don't put others above myself and God takes a back seat.
When I walk by the Spirit, I need only the Lord's approval and my thoughts are turned upward, not inward.
It's hard--every day--and it is a battle that I cannot ever 'let up on.' I am inexpressibly thankful that the Lord works on us and redeems us and helps us and cares about us......Oh He is kind!!!
Hope this answers your question somewhat. I'd love to hear how the Lord has worked in your life in the area of pride/humility. :)
Just last night, Robin and I were speaking, and I mentioned as an example of what I was trying to say that I hate it when she reacts a certain way. But just a second later I had to take it back and apologize, because it hit me that she hadn't reacted like that in years. The reaction that I had disliked wasn't something wrong, just something that had bothered me and clashed with my way of thinking. When I apologized to her, she told me that she had been consciously trying to not react that way. She was laying down her rights for me, and I hadn't even noticed, and she never said a word. That's humility on display. She practices what she preaches.
Robin,
I am blessed by the time you took to openly and honestly share the pride vs. humility or flesh vs. spirit battles that are apart of your everyday life.
In my own personal life...just like yours...like all of us, I experience opportunities everyday to image self or image Christ.
We aren't so different, you in I, in the wanting...sometimes needing of "the pat on the back", that approval or affirmation of some deed done.
I can think of a time recently when I was moved to doing something solely to benefit another (which was all good, and all God)...and at the same time, in my head I was thinking two things simultaneously, which is a clear example of the flesh and spirit at war, or pride vs humilty.
1. I knew the thing I wanted to do (which was prompted by the spirit) to bless them was a good thing and I knew I didn't want any credit for it.
2. At the same time the thought popped in my head, "but then the people who think you aren't a mercy person won't know and they'll continue to think less of you, but if they know you're doing this thing, they'll change their opinion of you."
Ouch!! Yeah, there it was, right in my face! A beatiful opportunity to bless with a sincerely humble heart and, wham! There is the flesh wanting to taint it.
Praise God, that He gets the glory and the flesh did not have it's way...at least not that time.
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