Whether it’s athletes, politicians, entertainers, business leaders, or people we encounter every day, we understand the value of confidence and self-assurance. But at the same time, perhaps paradoxically, we also delight in seeing and hearing displays of genuine humility.
We find many examples of non-humility, people with household names who seem consumed with themselves. “Look at me!” “I’m so great!” “Did you see what I’ve done?” Even if their accomplishments are significant, don’t you find attitudes like that extremely off-putting?
Not sure who said it first, but here’s a great definition of true humility: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself but rather, thinking of yourself less.” It doesn’t mean self-flagellation or self-deprecation. But it does mean, as Romans 12:3 expresses it, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”
Even for individuals unusually gifted in certain areas, there’s little reason for becoming overly prideful. As the apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:7, “…What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”
In other words, even if one can run fast or jump high, speak powerfully in a resonant voice, sing glorious melodies, or influence people through a winning personality, that’s not cause for boasting. We can hone and refine innate talents through training and practice, but we couldn’t have excelled without the raw talents to begin with.
It’s become a Christmastime tradition for some people to engage in escapades they call, “Elf on the Shelf.” Humility can be a year-round pursuit – putting self on the shelf.
I’ve found an excellent description of this in what I refer to as the “do nothing” verse from the Bible: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
When we encounter someone sincerely concerned about the needs of other people, even at a cost to themselves, doesn’t that warm our hearts? People like Mother Teresa come to mind, as well as folks who dedicate themselves to working with the homeless and the inner-city poor, schoolteachers resolved to identify the best in every student, and other sacrificial endeavors.
We can manifest the so-called Christian life in many ways, but one of the most attractive traits of a true follower of Jesus Christ is humility, not thinking of yourself more highly than you ought. We have no greater example than Jesus Himself.
Philippians 2:5-8 admonishes, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and become obedient to death – even death on a cross.”
His example applies to everyone, but especially for those in positions of leadership and great influence. As Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke12:48).
We often interpret this teaching in terms of wealth and material possessions, but it also concerns the abilities and opportunities the Lord gives and sets before us. Rather than utilizing them for our own advantage, the principle is we’re to use them to benefit others. We find the following exhortation for those in leadership:
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be…eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock…. Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:2-6).
Is this easy? Or even natural? No. We’ve heard people say, ”If I don’t look out for myself, who will?” So, it requires a willingness and determination to follow through on what Jesus instructed: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). This is one reason Paul wrote, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). It’s an ongoing process, not a one-time event.
Much more than could be written about this; I wrestle with it more often than I’d like to admit. But one place to start is by heeding the challenge of Hebrews 12:2 – ”Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame….” Focusing on Him and not ourselves can be a beneficially humbling experience.
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