What is humility? One of the first words that come to mind is “lowness”. To lay yourself down in order to lift others up. The bible says humility is to “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
Humility is a rare, and often unsought attribute. Later in the same chapter, Paul says “I have no one like him (Timothy), who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 2:20).
In other words, most of us are more selfish than we are humble.
The world’s version of humility is not caring what others think about you, but God’s way is to care more about other people than yourself, regardless of what they think of you. It’s not selfish or reckless, but wise, caring, and helpful.
We all care what others think of us. It’s a human plight we can’t completely unravel from. How often do we neglect obedience because we’re worried about what others will think? Or fail to try something new, even for Christ, because we’re afraid to fail in front of our friends and family? For me, it’s a daily battle.
But there is something of humility that can make us bold. There is freedom, even power, in lowering your thoughts of self. The more you try to live for Jesus, the more opposition you’re likely to face.
So, let’s consider two possible ways people might judge you:
1. They might be right.
This thought can be terrifying at first. Do you have sins, deficits, weaknesses, pride, uncertainties and inconsistencies that you wouldn’t want others to notice?
Me too.
But we both know that the Lord uses sinners, right? If he can use David, Sampson, Rahab, Martha, and Peter, he can use us too. God is always using stuttering mouths and hesitant feet to spread his gospel. He thinks that is beautiful. So first, you need to get over the fear of not being good enough. You aren’t and you never will be. We obey Jesus anyways, knowing everything we do is all of grace.
But people might notice something unattractive in you; Maybe they will say so behind your back, or (welcome to the internet) they might say it publicly, or to your face. And they might be right.
Let me know if it’s just me, but I find this quote from Charles Spurgeon incredibly freeing:
“If any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him, for you are worse than he thinks you to be.”
Imagine if we applied that to our insults! How different from the world might we be? How bright might the light of Christ shine through our persecution? Wouldn’t we be voraciously bold?
“You’re nothing but a self-righteous hypocrite!”
“Yes, you’re right. And far more hypocritical than you can even imagine but let me tell you how Jesus has mercy on me. Let me tell you how he strips me of my self-righteousness and gives me his own.”
2. They might be wrong.
There’s a foolish game we all like to play called “guessing motives”. If other people guess at your motives, there’s a good chance they’ll be wrong.
“They just want a pat on the back.”
“Their trying to make up for what they did wrong.”
“Their trying to make other people guilty.”
The more you speak for Jesus, the higher the likelihood that you’ll be misunderstood, or misquoted. Other people hear your words with ears that are biased and have preconceived ideas about you (or about Christians in general). They might even hate you.
So, what does the bible say then? Matthew 5:11 says “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”
Slander is no surprise to Jesus. He was the most slandered man in history, and every insult was a bold-faced lie.
How does humility help you to be bold under the threat of slander? Well, do you love others more than you love yourself? If this cuts you, know that it cuts me too. I fail at loving others all the time. Can’t we just be nice Christians, and avoid getting hurt by others?
The Most Humble Man Who Ever Lived
That’s so much easier isn’t it? John 15:20 “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”
We’re the servants of Christ, and yet we expect better treatment than Christ. He went before us as the forerunner; The most humble, persecuted man who ever lived was God. We were wrong about him every time, accusing and beating him when all he did was in love for us. Lord, we haven’t bowed lowly enough.
Back to Philippians 2:7-8 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Mark the Possibilities
Write them down. What does God what from your life? How might others respond to you? They might judge you fairly, cutting your heart but humbling you deeper and giving you the opportunity to shine. They might slander you falsely, but then you have a brother in Jesus who knows just what that’s like. Through their slurs you gain intimacy with Christ and reward in heaven (Matthew 5:12).
Humility might give you such boldness, that you join Paul and Silas, singing in their chains. Like the disciples, you could leave the presence of your enemies, beaten “and rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (Acts 5:41).
Mark this possibility also: If you humble yourself to obey Jesus, loving others through truth and service, they might see the love of God shine through you. Heavy hearts might be lifted and encouraged; stone hearts might turn to flesh. Some might be snatched from the fires of hell and wandering feet from the path that leads to destruction. God might knit your life together with someone else’s in a way that bonds you for eternity. Who knows what God might do through a humbled heart, made bold and courageous.
