Christian Living

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FALSE HUMILITY


“Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10). Humility, in turn, may be defined as a modest appraisal of oneself. As such, it is in keeping with our relative insignificance. Accordingly, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him?” (Psa. 8:3-4).
Even so, humans were created in God’s image. In context, to act as a steward of God’s larger creation. Moreover, to be endowed with such means as to make this possible. Which brings to mind Mother Teresa’s humorous comment, “I have no doubt God will provide whatever is necessary for me to do his will, but I wish he were not so optimistic.”
However, there is also a false sense of humility, which may hinder us from embracing some divine initiative. Gideon comes to mind in this connection, when the angel of the Lord abruptly greeted him: “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12). Which should have primed him for service, but failed to do so.
“But sir,” he protested, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now he has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian.” So that it apparently appeared to be a hopeless situation.
But then the visitor admonished him, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Do not depreciate your potential to serve at this critical juncture. And so Gideon undertook the task at hand.
The Israelites subsequently encouraged him: “Rule over us—you, your son and your grandson—because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian” (8:22). Another formidable challenge, but one he was now more inclined to undertake—having shed his false humility.
I was raised in a family that tended to depreciate self, and acquired something of that perspective. So it was that when presented with the senior teacher of the year award, it seemed unrealistic. Then when the student body decided to initiate its own award for excellence and I received the second highest vote among the faculty, I was still more perplexed.
On the other hand, I have been enabled to respond to challenges that some others might have found impossible to embrace. For instance, the rigors of higher education. Coming from a background where only about a third of our high school freshman class graduated, the thought of extending my education seemed presumptive. But I was convinced that it was God’s intent, and so persisted. Where false humility might dictate otherwise.
When given the opportunity to serve overseas, I also answered the call. Upon arrival at the mission compound, I was appreciatively welcomed. I was then taken to the rustic hut which would serve as my residence. The generator had been turned off to conserve energy, so that a single lamp served to provide a glimmer of light. Flying insects gathered to share in its glow. This encouraged me to head off for my bunk. No sooner had I done so that I heard strange noises outside. At one point, I peered out the window, half expecting to see a ferocious animal staring at me. Instead, I could only make out the dim outline of trees and bushes. I shortly heard the sound of guns being fired in the distance. It was not until the next morning that I learned that this was a common practice, to scare away undesirable spirits which prowled around the village at night. It goes without saying that this was well beyond my comfort zone.
Any misgivings I may have had were largely dispelled by the subsequent comments of missionaries and nationals. And then with the fact that seventeen of my former students elected to further their education at the college where I was teaching.
Am I still inclined to depreciate my efforts? Yes, to some degree, but confident in God’s enablement. As I have heard it said, “One with God is in the majority.” So Gideon might have concluded.
So it is that I have come to think of self-depreciation as a negative expression of pride. Since both alike focuses unduly on one’s self. In conclusion, we ought to expect great things from God. Then, having done so, to undertake great things in his name.

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