Thursday, September 1, 2022

Definition of Humility - Nah, I'm Good 

September 1, 2022/ in Week 4, Bible Study

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What is humility?

Our world teaches us it’s having a sense of unworthiness, or not focusing on ourselves. You hear about it everywhere: A fighter’s devastating loss humbled him. Or the popular girl wearing a zit in her prom photo gave her a sense of humility. It seems to me that those scenarios are more humiliating than anything else.

Lead Pastor Ben Snyder mentioned there are many misconceptions about humility. While it’s often assumed humility is about making yourself small, others define it as “not just thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.”

In Hebrew, however, they teach a different meaning of humility.

Humility (Adavah): Occupy your God-given space in the world.

We shouldn’t try to play the role of God, whether it be for our own benefit or to fix the lives of others; rather, we need to step into the role he has uniquely called each of us to. This requires trusting God and his invitation to be a part of his work in our world. We can be confident that he runs to both the rebellious and the self-righteous. God both welcomes us into his arms and invites us to do his work regardless of where we are on that spectrum. But it takes humility.

You offer or accept humility when you step into God’s invitation—you humiliate yourself when you don’t.

In Jonah 4, we see Jonah’s anger at God for showing mercy to Nineveh. He threw the worst temper tantrum, wishing for his life to get snatched and crying about a plant’s death.

Jonah 4:10-11

10 Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came and died quickly. 11 But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”

Jonah, the blessed prophet of the Lord, wanted his pride more than he wanted to trust in God. This reminds me of a quote by Paulo Freire: “No one can be authentically human while he prevents others from being so.” Instead, we should set aside our pride and clothe ourselves in humility because rescued people rescue people.

James 4:6

And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Philippians 2:3-4, 8

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. … 8 [H]e humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Humility isn’t putting yourself down to build others up. Sometimes, it’s pulling others to your level and propping them up, and sometimes, it’s allowing others to pull you up. It’s all part of being human.

Questions:

Does your pride get in the way of trusting God? How are you helping others build a relationship with God?

Next Steps:

Read “Have the Attitude of Christ” in Philippians 2:3-4, 8.

Focus on building relationships with non-Christians. Invite those new friends to church and talk about joining a Group. Open yourself up to also living life outside of CedarCreek so others can see what you’re all about.

Prayer:

I’m living proof of what the mercy of God can do. I am thankful that my steps continue to move toward the invitation God extended. Lord, I am equally grateful for your running toward me when my doubts, hurts, and pride steer my feet from the path. Thank you for promising to never give up on me and for the people you’ve put in my life who lift my spirits when the days seem too long. Amen.