The Paradox of Humility

From an early age, we do a pretty good job advocating for our own interests. We hone our skills, using all available resources, to fulfill our desires. We are continually striving to achieve our selfish goals. We like being first… first to be selected for a team… first in our class… first to the finish line. The world’s standards reinforce these selfish instincts. In fact, our culture (e.g., the economy, advertising, etc.) expects us to behave this way. God turns this self-focus upside down. A child of God, according to Paul, has an obligation to quit living according the world’s rules and follow the leading of God’s Spirit (Romans 8:12-17). Sometimes, even well-meaning, religious people misunderstand this lesson.

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

There is a stark contrast between the person living according to a worldly perspective and a person living according to the Spirit’s leading. These are mutually exclusive or contradictory points of view. The worldly man looks out for his own interests, while the humble man desires to fulfill the interests of Jesus Christ (Paul refers to Timothy in this way, Philippians 2:21). The self-focused man is interested in comfort, convenience, and prestige. The humble man finds happiness, contentment, and peace in serving according to the Lord’s will and looking out for the interests of others (Philippians 2:4).

Transitioning our thinking from the earthly mind to the spiritual mind is a difficult task. Living in humility requires us to acknowledge and appreciate the great mercy God is showering upon us. May the Lord bless us to live humbly and gently, worthy of His calling (Ephesians 4:1-2).

Our Father in heaven,

You are the true living God. You, dear Lord, are worthy of respect, praise and honor. You are the One offering forgiveness and hope. Because of your great mercy, in humility, we choose to live according to your Spirit. Help us replace our earthly, prideful thinking with your spiritual, heavenly leading. By faith we believe your Word to be true. Give us strength to overcome Satan’s temptation. We choose to humble ourselves and trust in Your exalting power. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Carl Smith
Stephenville