Recently the Lord has been speaking to me about humility. To some, this adjective has become a disdained word. The very mention of the word can make you feel like you have to take the lowest road in order to reach the highest mark. It certainly sounds gracious, even poetic. I believe true humility has gotten a bum rap, mostly because its true form is often reduced to the level of false humility. In comparison to its true meaning, false humility is nothing more than the pride of flesh disguising itself in the form of servant hood.
There are various applications of humility, both in a positive and negative light. The word "humility" in its Hebrew form "anavah" is defined as gentleness and meekness of mind. Its opposing meaning "false humility" would depict a gentleness and meekness that is pretentious and extremely manipulative. False humility can also present itself in the form of condescension. Webster defines condescension as, "The trait of displaying arrogance by patronizing those considered inferior." Ouch!
In short, false humility can be used to exercise the knowledge you have and lord it over others, under the guise of being gentle and meek. It's nothing less than a deceptive attempt to mask the arrogance and pride of ones own heart and mind.
Paul writes:
"Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind..." Col 2:18
These words were written in reference to those who were seemingly doing all the right things according to the Law, then using their "practiced humility" to make others feel inferior. The enemy will always find people who are desperate to be recognized as superior spiritual beings. Through their desperation, he lures them into a pretentious realm of spiritual exercises and experiences that make others feel inferior to their grandiose encounters in God. The goal is to cheat the so called "less spiritual" out of their rewards as they strive to press deeper into the Spirit of liberty.
Paul sums up their practices with these words:
"These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh." (Col 2:23)
The knowledge and life of God that is expressed through others, no matter how great they may appear to be, should never make you feel inferior. On the contrary, they should exalt you into a realm of extreme confidence, making you think that with God, all things are possible.
The value of our efforts in God, no matter how they appear on the surface will, in the end, be eternally weighed.
A similar usage of false humility is when the enemy tries to use this same gross spirit to seduce you into seeing yourself beneath your true state in God, thus convincing you that this reductive view of yourself is an act holiness.
CONFESSING THE "H" WORD
Oddly enough, the majority of the body of Christ has steered away from the idea of ever suggesting that they could enter into a humble mind, believing that if they do so, they are exhibiting just the opposite. Yet, this is nothing less than another attempt of the enemy to lock you into a mind that refuses to embrace the gentleness and meekness of God that is working in your life. A continual denial of having a humble spirit working in your life will produce more of the same; false humility.
Paul expresses the intended character of God in this manner:
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;" Col 3:12
[Meek: gentle, considerate, unassuming, mild. Jesus showed humble wisdom and penetrating love. Meekness is not weakness, but power under perfect control.]
It is ok to say, "I exhibit the tender mercies of God in my life. I walk in kindness and humility. I have put on meekness and longsuffering." It is possible to confess these godly characteristics without giving over to arrogance or pride. The key is realizing that we have not arrived, that all the above are still being perfected in us.
Humility understands that our sources of accomplishments are not of ourselves, but from God. Therefore, we do not think of ourselves more highly than we ought. (Rom 12:3) This implies we are fully aware that every good and perfect gift comes from above. (James 1:17)
THE HONORABLE ROAD
There are many ways to achieve our dreams and goals in life, but not every way is the right way. Therefore, the common phrase, "whatever works" is not an accurate description for success. There are a lot of things that will work; assisting us on our journey, but not all are honorable. Humility will protect us from taking the less honorable road to success. It would serve us to remember that God's definition of success is faithfulness.
One of the primary keys to success is to cloth ourselves in humility, for God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Through humility we come under the authority of God, knowing that He will exalt us in due time. (1Peter 5:5-6)
HUMILITY AND PEACE
We have entered into an historical period where the meek shall inherit the earth and will delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Ps 37:11)
In the beginning, peace, like war, can be carried out in ways that are not in sync with the intentions of God. Yet, like a Michelangelo chiseling away on the stones of time, there suddenly emerges a sculpture of beauty that many never dreamed possible.
This reflects the peace of God's kingdom in this hour. In the midst of intense conflict, the faith and humility of God's people is continually chiseling away at the stony ground that bears little signs of any real peace. Let there be no doubt, the image of God's peace will appear, thus the promise of God realized in His children.
"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God." (Matt 5:9)
CROWNED WITH HUMILITY
"And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules." 2Tim 2:5
Everyday we are tempted to run a race that is not according to the rules of the Spirit. It's easy to break the rules if your primary objective is to simply reach your intended goal. The race is as much about how you run it, as it is winning it. In the end, the prize is defined by the process you went through to obtain it. (1Cor 9:24-26)
In the final days of Paul's life he said,
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2Tim 4:7-8)
Humility will keep us from giving up a heavenly crown for an earthly one. It will empower us to fully submit to the ways of God in our life.
Humility is a manifestation of God's love having supreme influence in our lives.
False humility will always tempt you into judging others wrongly. It will tempt you to negatively view others from the seat of your own personal accomplishments, and again, it will view true humility as weakness, thus an opportunity for self promotion.
A HUMBLE AND FAITHFUL GENERATION
Scriptures record that, "Moses was the humblest man on the face of the earth." (Num 12:3) Wow! The reality of these words would be worth digesting for a very long time.
When Moses married an Ethiopian woman, Miriam and Aaron became very upset. Ethiopians were Cushites, descendants of Cush. Cush, Hebrew word "kwush" means "black." She was most likely of African descent. That's right, Moses married a beautiful black African woman and Miriam and Aaron pulled out the old racial card and blasted Moses for doing so. Their confrontation with Moses would have sounded something like this today:
Paraphrase; "How could you Moses!? How could you marry outside your own kind? What kind of example are you setting for the whole Israeli nation? This is embarrassing to say the least. You know, you are not the only one the Lord speaks through, He speaks through us to. We are just as much "prophet" as you are."
Ouch! Those are some strong words to the humblest man in the world. Because of God's intervention, we know Miriam and Aaron weren't just talking behind Moses' back, but face to face.
"Suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, "Come out, you three, to the tabernacle of meeting!" So the three came out. (Num 12:4)"
It is apparent they were discussing this matter together before the Lord stepped into their conversation. The Lord appears in a cloud of glory and tells Miriam and Aaron to step forward. The Lord then makes some things very clear.
"Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, even plainly, and not in dark sayings; and he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?" (Num 12:6-8)
It is obvious by now that Miriam and Aaron underestimated the true nature of Moses' position in God. Their greatest error was failing to realize that it was not the function of Moses as prophet that made him special, but the spirit of humility and faithfulness working in his life. The lack of humility in their lives gave them the illusion that they could challenge the leadership of Moses on the premise of gifting.
Over the years we have seen the gifts of God working through his people, making its way into the kingdoms of the world, and rightfully so. However, the historical facts of biblical times make it very clear, that the penetrable force of God's kingdom came through spirit of love, humility and faithfulness.
Speaking of Jesus, Paul writes:
"And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."
Phil 2:8
The body of Christ has crossed the threshold of a new awareness in the kingdom of God. We are on the verge of experiencing a cloud of glory coming upon the earth, prompted by the humility and faithfulness of God's people. We are about to see the stark difference between the function of ministry and the humility and faithfulness of ministry. Those who have been exalting themselves will be humbled and those who have humbled themselves will be exalted. (Luke 14:11, 18:14) The leprosy of self promotion is being removed from the temple of the Lord. In the end, like Miriam and Aaron, a spiritual cleansing will reveal a new generation that will be known for their ability to esteem others better than themselves.
The words of Paul:
"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." (Phil 2:3-4)
Blessings,
Michael
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