Hey Dad,
By random I was reading Wikipedia’s definition of humility (below), and the part about self-abasing caught my attention. I don’t know really how self-abasement fits with a lack of humility, but that sure does ring true.
Humility is the quality of being modest, reverential, even politely submissive, and never being arrogant, contemptuous, rude or even self-abasing.
This seemed to fit very well with XXXXX. Since I first was able to recognize it as wrong, I’ve never liked his talk about being chastised “down to the bone”. I’ll take the innoculating shot please.
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Wow, that is very good John. I love it when God talks to our children like this – they are having experiences… it’s great.
I used to think it was really humble to put myself down. A few months ago, the Lord stopped me and said, “would you do that to _______? (named a brother, meaning would I run them to the ground like I was doing to myself). You are doing that to MY child (meaning myself)… and it’s pride. Stop it.”
Since then, I have caught myself doing it, more often than I thought I did – I did not even realize just HOW often I did that. It’s pride, it’s phony. But it’s going, thank you Jesus.
I have never seen that definition of humble, but it’s good and encouraging that God showed John David that. And it’s encouraging to me, because it helps me better understand my little experience and why.
Gary
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The flesh really can become proud of how much it can make itself suffer. We see it all the time. Paul called it “will-worship”, and we are blessed if we escape it. Genuine humility does not glory in living like a monk and abusing oneself; all that kind of thing is a self-willed show. Real humility is doing the will of God from the heart.
Jesus said, “I am meek and lowly,” but he had no problem chasing people out of his Father’s temple, or letting his disciples call him “Lord”, telling his accusers that they were sons of the devil.
Moses was “the meekest man on earth”, but he smashed that golden calf to pieces and made Israel drink it.
We don’t know what real humility unless we know God.
jdc