“This is the one whom I esteem (says the Lord): he who is humble and contrite in spirit.” Isaiah 66:2
One of the best Christmas gifts I received was a book titled, Humility: True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney. Just what did Jenny mean by this gift??? J
Although I strive for humility, clearly I have much to learn according to the book. I wanted to share some insights from the book with you.
For example, Mahaney defines humility as, “honestly assessing ourselves in the light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness.” He also defines pride, the opposite of humility, and the first sin as “when we are contending for supremacy with God.” When you put it that way, it sounds ridiculous, but yet we do this all the time.
Speaking of time, I think this one of the areas of pride with which I really struggle. I am always saying and praying, “God, why not now!” and “Why do I (or we) have to wait!” “I mean, I am asking for good things, things that are within your will?” But that is prideful. I am basically saying that I know better than God who is omniscient and all-knowing. Quite foolish when I think about it and when I ask for His forgiveness.
Mahaney effectively argues that pride is more than just foolish – it is very destructive. It ranges from the pride of denying that a savior is even needed (pride of self-sufficiency) to the pride of Christians who are convinced that they are sin-free and are in a position to point out everyone else’s sins.
In essence, pride could cause us to be completely cut-off from God eternally as well as wrecking all that we cherish and hold dear in our lives. It can also prevent us from getting the care and help we need for addictions, diseases and other parts of our lives.
Christian singer Jeremy Camp (Brian and I saw him in concert last summer – awesome!) offers these thoughts in his song “Lay Down My Pride” – “I lay down my pride/My desires my demise/I’m ready now to see it your way/I’m done I’m thru ignoring you now it’s true/I’m kneeling at the cross of your grace/Lay down my pride.”
Mahaney makes the case that focusing on the cross is a sure way to humble ourselves – after all Jesus goes to the cross for our sins and ransoms or rescues us. Jesus, who is the ultimate example of humility – read Philippians 2:5-11.
In the last section of the book he lists and describes helpful humility practices. As you might imagine, it starts with acknowledging our need for Jesus everyday. I often start the day by saying those very words, “Lord, I need you today.” Some days it is, “Lord, I am really going to need you today” or “God, I can’t do this without you.” I usually follow that up by reciting the verse, “Into your hands I commit my spirit” from Psalm 31:5 and also quoted by Jesus on the cross in Luke 23:46.
Mahaney also offers the idea of “Identifying Evidences of Grace” as part of being humble. He states that pride is blinding when it comes to how we relate to others. He writes, “And only those who are humble can consistently identify evidences of grace in others who need adjustment. It’s something the proud and the self-righteous are incapable of.”
Inside and outside of church, we must see and believe that, in others “God is at work” to identify evidences of grace. Is it easier to focus on the negative and the things we don’t like or disagree with? Sure. But that is pride. Are there people in our families, churches and workplaces that are difficult and it would be easy to give up on? Sure. But again that is pride. Who are we to say that others are less worthy in God’s eyes?
Finally, Mahaney points to the importance of encouraging one another daily as well as when correcting or confronting people, we should always point out the grace as well – otherwise it is prideful. He passionately discouraged any “corrupting” or “decaying” talk about others – signatures of pride. He then encourages readers to welcome and invite loving correction from others.
It was a great read and I continue to look at parts since finishing it.
Amen.
Discussion Questions
- What is your pride index on scale from one to ten? One being “Very humble” and ten being “I am the greatest!”
- Is pride keeping you from acknowledging the needing for God and others in your life? Are you still thinking you can/are doing it on your own?
- Is pride blinding you from seeing things about yourself that need to change? Is it blinding you from seeing the grace in others?
- With what specific areas of pride are you struggling?
- How does pride affect your witness as a Christian? Are you judging? Are you always saying that you can do things better than others? Do you find yourself frequently criticizing others without communicating signs of their grace too?
- What are some things you can do to increase your humility and diminish your pride?
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