April 22, 2020
Jesus said in Luke 18:14, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Humility is a central character trait for followers of Jesus. But how do Christians develop it?
Humility is often misunderstood as self-degradation where someone might say, “Oh, I’m not good enough for that…” when actually they are. “Stop being so humble,” we typically respond. This is because people who are actually lacking humility are the ones who think (or presume) they are too good for certain things or they are people who pretend they are something greater than they really are.
I think C.S. Lewis says it best, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” Those with humility are those who naturally place other’s needs higher than their own. This is backwards thinking according to the ways of our world where we are taught to push our way to the front.
This devo was inspired by Dallas Willard, one of my favorite authors/teachers/theologians, who wrote in his book Renewing the Christian Mind: Essays, Interviews, and Talks…
I have a three-step plan for humility:
1. Never pretend.
2. Never presume.
3. Never push.”
Grace and peace,
Pastor Chris Tansey