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"I Must Decrease" Biblical Profiles in Humility Pride often rears its ugly head in our lives, often stealthily, or at times too suddenly for us to react properly. It may creep up in the form of some entitlement we feel due to our status or level of achievement. It may also arise from having to eat a serving of humble pie, where our tendency is to excuse or defend ourselves, and react negatively, if we make a mistake.
We often succumb to these temptations because of our inherent self-centeredness. We don’t like admitting that we are not the “masters of the universe” that we thought we were nor do we like people judging or criticizing us in any way. “How dare he?” “Who does she think she is?” “I really don’t care what they think.” “I’m better than them.” To the rest of the world, these may seem like natural reactions when faced with real or perceived offenses. But as Christians, we should recognize that pride is hiding beneath these reactions. Pride may express itself in two situations: First, when we react by saying “I don’t deserve this.” This happens when we are criticized for making a mistake or feel persecuted in some way and we rationalize our actions, saying, “I am not at fault. I did not act out of any malice or bad intentions. That’s just my style.” That may be true, but this prevents us from seeking forgiveness from the aggrieved party, repairing the damaged relationship, and correcting the wrong we have done. Matthew 5:23 describes the primacy of relationships and reconciliation over justifying ourselves: “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Secondly, we may react to the other extreme by saying, “I do deserve this” or “I should be given more respect.” When we feel that our status or position is being threatened or not being appropriately recognized, we bring attention to ourselves, claiming entitlement to our “rights” because of who we are or what we have achieved. In Luke 14:8-11, Jesus advises: “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” But make no mistake about it. If we are truly children of God, and pride becomes an issue in our lives, God will bring us to a place of humility. Otherwise, God might just let pride run roughshod over our lives, leading us to destructive tendencies and emotions that will ruin us forever. The good news is that if we ask for help from God in dealing with such a situation according to his will, he will help. We are not expected to use our own determination and will to be humble; our sinful natures are certain to obstruct us every step of the way. We instead need to rely on God’s grace. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5). God’s grace will enable us to do what we ourselves cannot do. When I have to eat humble pie, I find it helpful to remember examples in the Bible that inspire me. There are countless examples of humility in the Bible, but some examples stand out for me because they are all too familiar in my everyday life. The characters involved all could have felt self-righteous, defensive, vindictive, offended. But they exercised humility, through God’s grace, that transcended normal human behavior. 1. 2 Samuel 16:5-13. Shimei, a relative of Saul, accuses David of murdering Saul, cursing and throwing stones and dirt at him. David could have reacted with anger and even violence, due to his power and high status. “Who is this puny fellow criticizing me in public and in the presence of my soldiers and servants? What right does he have in insulting me, a king?!” With one word, David could have ordered any of his followers to strike Shimei down (as his soldier Abishai actually suggested). Instead David acknowledged God’s will in his own humiliation, and responded humbly, saying, “Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.” David let Shimei continue to curse and throw stones at him as he continued on his way. When people criticize you, especially people who you think (wrongly, of course) are “beneath you”, it takes God’s grace to look beyond the source of the criticism and to take an honest look at yourself and be accountable for your actions. 2. Genesis 50:15-21. Joseph forgives his brothers. Joseph had every reason to hate his brothers for selling him into slavery to travelling merchants, where he eventually ended up in Egypt as a servant, then later as a prisoner. Through God’s favor he later becomes one of the highest officials in the land. So when his brothers come to ask for his forgiveness and offer to be his slaves, Joseph could have reacted with vindictiveness. He could have thrown them into prison, or worse. He could have said, “You ruined my life, and now you are at my mercy.” He could have gloated, “Well, well, look at me now and look at you. You are getting what you deserve.” Instead, Joseph said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” Joseph was humble in his success, and quick to forgive those who wronged him. Again, it takes God’s special grace to make us look beyond personal circumstances and see the hand of God in our situations, making us humble in our outlook. 3. Galatians 2:11-14. Paul rebukes Peter in Antioch. Peter kept himself away from the Gentiles, refusing to eat with them, succumbing to Jewish tradition. But this act was in contradiction to the gospel message, which claims that all people can be saved through faith in Jesus, without having to follow any religious traditions. Peter could have reacted to Paul’s rebuke defensively and condescendingly: “How dare this “newcomer” lecture me about the gospel? And lecture me in public! Me - one of the original apostles who actually spent time with Jesus, and an acknowledged leader of the church.” But indications point to Peter humbly accepting and considering Paul’s rebuke. Later, in the Jerusalem Council, he actually defended Paul’s earlier stance at Antioch (Acts 15:6-11). And in 2 Peter 3:15-16, he mentioned “our beloved brother Paul” and referred to his writings as scripture, which indicated his continuing deep respect and affection for Paul. What is our first reaction to criticism? Is it to defend ourselves and immediately strike back? Or is it to honestly ask ourselves why we are being criticized in the first place? Peter, despite his standing in the church, was humble enough to admit his mistake and not let criticism ruin his relationship with Paul. 4. John 3:22-30: John the Baptist finds out that Jesus was also baptizing others and that many were following him. John could have reacted with envy and moved to defend his status: “I was the first to gain many followers. I paved the way for Jesus and am now losing followers to him and am losing my place of prominence as a prophet.” Instead, John responded, “He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease.” John recognized his role as humble servant and not as a celebrity whose purpose is to gain fame or popularity for himself. How vulnerable are we to puff ourselves up and engage in conceited thinking, when we attain some higher status or achievement? How often do we start crediting ourselves with our own success, when we could not really have achieved anything without God? John the Baptist said in John 3:27, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given to him from heaven.” 5. The ultimate example of course is Jesus Christ himself, who is God, who became human and walked, talked, ate with his creations on earth, and who was later crucified by them. This is the greatest injustice, irony and tragedy of all. The almighty, perfectly righteous God, put through the indignity of being judged, humiliated and mocked, and made to suffer incalculable pain and anguish, not only by the raucous crowd that witnessed his trial and crucifixion (and who probably did not know better), but more so the self-righteous Pharisees who could not in any way match or even grasp his perfect holiness. Of course, Jesus could have reacted with righteous anger, and it was certainly within his power to do so. Instead, he asked God, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Can we ever do the same thing – exercise this divine forgiveness, borne out of perfect humility? Jesus does not expect us to be perfect, and we should not despair if we stumble ever so often. But he calls us to lean on him to find the grace to be humble. If we are to boast at all, it is to boast in our weakness so that Christ’s power may rest in us (2 Corinthians 12:9) The biggest step to being humble is to realize that I am proud – because pride is so deceitful and devious; it will sneak up on me and set up a stronghold when I least expect it. It is also a constant battle – there is no limit to the times I disturbingly find myself acting and thinking in prideful ways that I could never anticipate. It’s ironic that just when I begin to pat myself in the back for being “such a humble guy” that is when I actually become proud again. But it is in those times, that we should let God’s grace get hold of us – convicting us and giving us the strength not to give up, not to get discouraged, to continue the good fight. Lord, search my heart and show me where I am proud. Grant me the grace to always be humble, in my words, in my actions, and in my thoughts. To your glory and honor. Amen.
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