Understand the universal equality of
each person’s worth; do not be prideful.
“Humility is the fear of
the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4
After
spending time focusing on our faith in GOD and who HE is, it is pretty easy for
us to find our appropriate place of humility as we compare ourselves to
HIM. The more common problem we have
with humility as it relates to GOD is understanding our roles. God invites us to partner with HIM in supernatural
ministry. HE provides the “super” and we
provide the “natural”. When we are
confused about our roles in this partnership we place too much emphasis on
ourselves and what we need to be able to accomplish; we become fearful, knowing
we cannot perform supernaturally. We
become too intimidated to even show up to do our natural part in healing, casting-out
demons, evangelizing, or anything else supernatural. Apart from Christ we have no ability to
accomplish HIS call. We must have faith
that HE will provide the supernatural power when we are obedient to step into
situations that are beyond our natural abilities. Avoiding stepping into supernatural work
because of fear of failure is a lack of humility; thinking our role is bigger
than it actually is.
Our
struggle with comparative humility is much more common as we look at our peers. Pride is an obvious problem that often leads
to arrogance. Scripture cautions, “Do
not think more highly of yourself than you ought…” and “When pride comes, then
comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom”. Pride is a lie that convinces us we have more
worth than another because of who we are or what we have accomplished. Worth is intrinsically equal in all human
beings as each of us has been created in the image of GOD. This is completely true in GOD’s eyes and it
needs to become completely true in ours.
The opposite of true humility is most certainly pride, but so also is
false humility. Similar to pride false
humility also is a lie. It is used to
manipulate others into boasting on our behalf.
By utilizing false humility one can often present an image of humility
while setting others up to sing their prideful praises for them. True humility is an honest assessment of our worth
and our value at the same time.
Contrary to our unchanging worth, value can
change based on what GOD pours into each of us as well as what we do with
it. We can make choices that will vary
how valuable we are in certain circumstances.
The more talents, gifts, blessings, and anointing HE pours into us, the
more HE expects from us, but these things do not change our worth. GOD knows exactly what HE has poured into
each of us and what HE reasonably expects as a return on HIS investment. If GOD expects a double return, the one
entrusted with $100 returning $250, did much better than the one entrusted with
$1,000 returning $1,500. We do not know
GOD’s investment or expectation of anyone and therefore are unqualified to
judge the value of another. “Who are you
to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall.” Ro 14:4
While we can acknowledge value, our assessment of each other should be
based on worth which is always exactly equal to our own.
Humility
is not about having a lack of confidence, presenting yourself as incapable or
incompetent, it’s about an honest assessment of where your confidence should be
placed. You can be humble and be
bold. Have a bold confidence that you
can do what Christ has called you to because of what HE has poured into you.
Assignment:
Practice stepping where
GOD is calling you beyond your natural ability, humbly trusting your part is
much smaller than HIS. “Be willing to
associate with people of low position.” Ro 12:16, humbly understanding their
great worth. In truth, recognize that
GOD’s unknown investment and expectation varies from one child to the next, but
the ultimate price having been paid for each one is the same.
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