What role does humility play in your walk?

[David from New Bern]

A perfect example of how pride can cause problems for the proud...

I have been a Christian for a while and yet it took a while for me to believe that the Lord actually did give me salvation, is truly my Father and I am completely protected in Him.

Well a few years ago I had to go back and forth to court because of a custody battle. I was early in recovery and had about 6 months clean. In a nut shell I felt I had my @#$% together..So I put together all of these declarations to the court telling not just my past but also my present. I didn't want to come off as a liar. I didn't want my ex to pull any punches or bring up anything the court was not aware of.

Well before these court hearings I would pray..please God just let the judge see the truth and keep me protected so that Michael cannot harm me. But when I walked in I would use proud words, I would give glaring stares in the direction of my ex and I would think to myself I am gonna win because I got God on my side. Each time the judge was harder on me. Even though I was doing all I was required of by the state to show I was getting right. Well the last time in court which by the way was the 17th appearance in about 10 months the judge looked at me and told me to knock it off that I wasn't all that I thought I was and that even though I had done the things to get right I was no where near proving to her that I had what it took to care for my daughter properly.

I gotta tell you I was crushed. Everything I had worked for just flew out the window. I wanted to just give up.

Well it turned out that the Lord took those situations and turned them to good. He showed me that pride in MY actions was sinful at its best and that I needed to truly rely on him instead of using Him as a way of being boastful..you know..God's on my side so take that..but God said no he's not gonna take that you are you snotty little brat..and I deserved that discipline. I needed to know that God does not fight a battle that way. Jesus was never proud or boastful and I needed to know that I was not given the authority to be that way either.

It took years for me to finally stop being that way with my ex and it is very difficult not to fall back into it.

I do thank God for loving me enough to discipline me, however.

Jackie, you are an amazing lady...you have learned humility. What impresses me about you is your willingness to give Christ your life story to touch others with the truth, even if that truth is costly to you. King David was that way and many of the psalm show that brutal honesty and willingness to truly testify...good stuff!

[David from New Bern]

I share the thoughts that tah has expressed.

In addition;

Confidence in ourselves is pride.

Confidence in what God has given us, our salvation, his Spirit and guidance, not only comes from the humility of knowing we cannot do those things ourselves, but also knowing that it is His Spirit that inspires, directs and brings to fruition all the good things in our lives.

I believe that the more recognition we recieve for our works, the more we are tempted by the desires of this world.

It goes without saying that the more prominent a position a person may have, the more difficult it may be to remain humble.

Is there is a distinction between being proud in your WORK and being proud in your WORKS

As for displaying arrogance, being self- defensive or braggadocious, I've always considered it a sign of insecurity.

In a good, loving Christian atmosphere , where there is communication, it can be addressed.

Its a different story in the atmosphere of, say, the arts, where any sign of "weekness" is quickly exploited.

One of the hardest things any of us face, is saying to someone, "I dont know".

David has said,..'the majority of Christians come to the alter on the day of salvation and never return again',

For some reason those people haven't found an environment where they can let their guard down, a guard, they have spent a lifetime learning to use in the world.

It is so so so important that we have an environment that we can say "I dont know", an environment where we can let our humbleness show and become comfortable with it.

That is an environment where the people that are "teaching " are not percieved as smarter or better, but as humble servants.

Something that is completely backwards to everything we have learned in the world.

Something that is completely and totally in line with what Jesus has taught us.

Without humility it is impossible for us to really develope as Christians.

Humility is something we all have, but we have to learn to let it show, and be confident that in letting it show, the Lord will use it.

I have, in some situations, even though I thought I new it all, purposely taken the position of humility, of not knowing, of being unsure, and God has taught me things I never would have learned otherwise (how humiliating, hm tah).

Good thoughts...What do you think we need to do or say in the church to promote humility?

[tah]

I'll tell him..

[mike2]

I share the thoughts that tah has expressed.

In addition;

Confidence in ourselves is pride.

Confidence in what God has given us, our salvation, his Spirit and guidance, not only comes from the humility of knowing we cannot do those things ourselves, but also knowing that it is His Spirit that inspires, directs and brings to fruition all the good things in our lives.

I believe that the more recognition we recieve for our works, the more we are tempted by the desires of this world.

It goes without saying that the more prominent a position a person may have, the more difficult it may be to remain humble.

Is there is a distinction between being proud in your WORK and being proud in your WORKS

As for displaying arrogance, being self- defensive or braggadocious, I've always considered it a sign of insecurity.

In a good, loving Christian atmosphere , where there is communication, it can be addressed.

Its a different story in the atmosphere of, say, the arts, where any sign of "weekness" is quickly exploited.

One of the hardest things any of us face, is saying to someone, "I dont know".

David has said,..'the majority of Christians come to the alter on the day of salvation and never return again',

For some reason those people haven't found an environment where they can let their guard down, a guard, they have spent a lifetime learning to use in the world.

It is so so so important that we have an environment that we can say "I dont know", an environment where we can let our humbleness show and become comfortable with it.

That is an environment where the people that are "teaching " are not percieved as smarter or better, but as humble servants.

Something that is completely backwards to everything we have learned in the world.

Something that is completely and totally in line with what Jesus has taught us.

Without humility it is impossible for us to really develope as Christians.

Humility is something we all have, but we have to learn to let it show, and be confident that in letting it show, the Lord will use it.

I have, in some situations, even though I thought I new it all, purposely taken the position of humility, of not knowing, of being unsure, and God has taught me things I never would have learned otherwise (how humiliating, hm tah).

Good thoughts...What do you think we need to do or say in the church to promote humility?

Lead by example.

It has to start at the top, but its practice is most effective when we "divide and concquer".

Most people, as you have somewhat indicated, are'nt really aware of its neccesity, and I don't think it would be easy to nurture in the general context of a whole assembly.

It would have to be talked about and practiced in small groups, where its easier to be be more sensitive to individuals, where it is easier to relax and be open to the Spirits nudges.

Eventually it will grow into the general atmosphere of the congregation.

[David from New Bern]

I share the thoughts that tah has expressed.

In addition;

Confidence in ourselves is pride.

Confidence in what God has given us, our salvation, his Spirit and guidance, not only comes from the humility of knowing we cannot do those things ourselves, but also knowing that it is His Spirit that inspires, directs and brings to fruition all the good things in our lives.

I believe that the more recognition we recieve for our works, the more we are tempted by the desires of this world.

It goes without saying that the more prominent a position a person may have, the more difficult it may be to remain humble.

Is there is a distinction between being proud in your WORK and being proud in your WORKS

As for displaying arrogance, being self- defensive or braggadocious, I've always considered it a sign of insecurity.

In a good, loving Christian atmosphere , where there is communication, it can be addressed.

Its a different story in the atmosphere of, say, the arts, where any sign of "weekness" is quickly exploited.

One of the hardest things any of us face, is saying to someone, "I dont know".

David has said,..'the majority of Christians come to the alter on the day of salvation and never return again',

For some reason those people haven't found an environment where they can let their guard down, a guard, they have spent a lifetime learning to use in the world.

It is so so so important that we have an environment that we can say "I dont know", an environment where we can let our humbleness show and become comfortable with it.

That is an environment where the people that are "teaching " are not percieved as smarter or better, but as humble servants.

Something that is completely backwards to everything we have learned in the world.

Something that is completely and totally in line with what Jesus has taught us.

Without humility it is impossible for us to really develope as Christians.

Humility is something we all have, but we have to learn to let it show, and be confident that in letting it show, the Lord will use it.

I have, in some situations, even though I thought I new it all, purposely taken the position of humility, of not knowing, of being unsure, and God has taught me things I never would have learned otherwise (how humiliating, hm tah).

Good thoughts...What do you think we need to do or say in the church to promote humility?

Lead by example.

It has to start at the top, but its practice is most effective when we "divide and concquer".

Most people, as you have somewhat indicated, are'nt really aware of its neccesity, and I don't think it would be easy to nurture in the general context of a whole assembly.

It would have to be talked about and practiced in small groups, where its easier to be be more sensitive to individuals, where it is easier to relax and be open to the Spirits nudges.

Eventually it will grow into the general atmosphere of the congregation.

I believe you are right...I think that is probably why the small group gathering never needs to disapear from what the church is doing....whether they call it Sunday School, accountability groups, home groups or whatever...humility is learned in small environments...I think you are right.

[tah]

Humility is something we all have, but we have to learn to let it show, and be confident that in letting it show, the Lord will use it.

I have, in some situations, even though I thought I new it all, purposely taken the position of humility, of not knowing, of being unsure, and God has taught me things I never would have learned otherwise (how humiliating, hm tah).

Mike , I am not sure I agree with that..pride comes naturally but humility is learned..

At least that is the way I see it..

How many children have to be taught to be prideful..

nary a one..but you do have to teach them humility..

What do you mean by "let it show, and be confident that in letting it show, the Lord will use it."?

I don't understand what you mean by "taken the position of humility"?

Are you thinking about "vulnerability" ?

[mike2]

Humility is something we all have, but we have to learn to let it show, and be confident that in letting it show, the Lord will use it.

I have, in some situations, even though I thought I new it all, purposely taken the position of humility, of not knowing, of being unsure, and God has taught me things I never would have learned otherwise (how humiliating, hm tah).

Mike , I am not sure I agree with that..pride comes naturally but humility is learned..

At least that is the way I see it..

How many children have to be taught to be prideful..

nary a one..but you do have to teach them humility..

What do you mean by "let it show, and be confident that in letting it show, the Lord will use it."?

I don't understand what you mean by "taken the position of humility"?

Are you thinking about "vulnerability" ?

Pride is the opposite of humility and is something we use, to ward off the feeling of humility.

We have heard the expression "pride goeth before the fall",.... the fall to humiliation.

The awareness and ability to be humble is something that we have, or God, would not ask us to show it.

I do agree that it is something we have to learn to show, just as we have to learn how to show love, the more we show love....the more we show love, it grows in us.

We can be humble (take the position of humility) in so many ways, it all depends on our personality and those around us.

eg. letting someone go through the whole explanation of something you are thoroughly versed in, without interupting or rolling your eyes.

To some that would be considered polite, to others it would be considered a humble gesture.

To someone that is learning about something, you may have given them the first oppotunity to trully express themselves.

And, in so doing, you may gain another perspective of something you thought you knew inside and out.

There are many ways to be humble, unfortunately we look at humiliation as an embarassment.

How can we witness, if we are afraid of humiliation. If we dont experience humiliation and learn to be humble, we will witness based on our pride in knowledge, rather than by the Spirit, and if we dont have the recquired knowledge...we are reluctant to speak about the wonders of God.........for fear of humiliation

Most importantly being humble is soothing to those around us, and allows them the comfort to open up.

We don't always have to exude confidence, especially in situations that we are not familiar, if we allow ourselves to be humble in those situations we set the example to others that it is OK if we need to be led, that we dont know and need help.

I do not mean the position of vulnerability in that I would appear weak, but, in a non judgemental way, in a way that it would allow someone to express themselves, without fear of being wrong.

Our being humble allows us to teach in a different way then we may normally consider, and it allows us to learn more because we are not afraid to be humbled.

[Openly Curious]

What role does humility play in your walk?

Well it makes for peace between me and the Maker. It is better to walk with the Lord in humility than to walk with Him in pride. As the Lord will resist you in this way and will actually fight against you as you are doing to Him when you walk proudly before Him doing your own thing instead of being like a little child that is being taught by your Heavenly Father. So it is good to be and walk in peace with the Heavenly Father so he can lift you up in due season.

OC

[mike2]

What role does humility play in your walk?

Well it makes for peace between me and the Maker. It is better to walk with the Lord in humility than to walk with Him in pride. As the Lord will resist you in this way and will actually fight against you as you are doing to Him when you walk proudly before Him doing your own thing instead of being like a little child that is being taught by your Heavenly Father. So it is good to be and walk in peace with the Heavenly Father so he can lift you up in due season.

OC

I understand what you are saying, but do you think that rather than the Lord fighting against what we are doing when we are proud, He might be leaving us on our own, till we realize, somehow, that we are caught up in our pride...let the pride discipline us.

Is it the actions of our pride and the results of those actions that seem like the Lord is fighting back.

What do you think? Is this a way similar to what tah was saying earlier, where we are humbled when we step back and say to ourselves, in our pride, we have messed things up.

[tah]

Mike....

I am sorry but I still do not understand where you are coming from....

I see humility as a state of the heart not an act of the will..

just as pride is a state of the heart...

...How do I say"well,in this situation I am going to be humble.."

I can only find myself "being humble" in a situation..

eg. letting someone go through the whole explanation of something you are thoroughly versed in, without interupting or rolling your eyes.

To some that would be considered polite, to others it would be considered a humble gesture.

This is just being polite....I can move in pride and do the same thing...

How can we witness, if we are afraid of humiliation..

That is pride...

I do not mean the position of vulnerability in that I would appear weak, but, in a non judgemental way, in a way that it would allow someone to express themselves, without fear of being wrong.

Again folks are afraid of expressing themselves because of pride....or perhaps in their heart they know they are wrong...it would make no difference whether I was moving in humility or pride for someone else to express themselves...

Our being humble allows us to teach in a different way then we may normally consider, and it allows us to learn more because we are not afraid to be humbled.

Again, humility is a state of the heart not an act of the will...

How do you say as you enter Church "I am going to be humble this morning for the sake of the congregation."

I do not see humility as and act I do but as a heart response...

Can any of you purple people help out here with your "great wisdom" on humility..

What is it I am not understanding...