The Blessings of Humility
“For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.” ~Psalm 138:6
If we want to walk closely with God, humility is essential. As St. Augustine once remarked, “If you should ask me what are the ways of God, I would tell you that the first is humility, the second is humility, and the third is humility.” The proud person thinks too highly of himself and fails to recognize his place before God. The Hebrew word for pride means to be exalted or lifted up, which is the inherent problem with pride. It challenges God’s position as the only High One and demonstrates profound ignorance of both God and ourselves.
Pride stands always at the door and can easily find its way into even the best of hearts. It seeks to take over and control our thoughts and actions. What are some signs that pride is gaining a foothold in our lives?
Firstly, self-righteousness is a significant indicator of pride. When we are ignorant of God’s perfection, we become blind to our shortcomings.
Secondly, a proud person is often hypercritical of others. They are unaware of their faults but readily see the shortcomings of those around them. They rarely have a kind word to say about anyone.
Thirdly, proud people struggle to love others well because they see only two categories of humanity: the useful (to them) and the useless.
Fourthly, a proud person is typically angry, frustrated, suspicious, and impatient with others. They resent people who get in their way and who waste their time. They also direct their anger toward God, at war with His providence and unable to learn contentment.
Finally, a proud person is habitually ungrateful. He can never be truly thankful because his pride feels entitled to everything he wants.
The antidote to pride is not merely thinking less of ourselves. Instead, we must learn to think more of God and behold His glory. This is the only way to shrink ourselves down to the right measure. If we want to conquer our pride, we must learn to pray: “Lord, be merciful to me and show me Your glory!” Though God could hold the proud at arm’s length, He delights to humble them and draw them close.
As Spurgeon commented on our text, God views the humble with pleasure, thinks of them with care, listens to their prayers, and protects them from evil. Because they think little of themselves, He thinks much of them. They reverence Him, and He respects them. They are low in their own esteem, and He makes them high in His esteem.
Where is pride active in your life, Christian? Is it just standing at the door, or has it already forced its way into the inner sanctum of your heart? Let us cry out to God for help, for He alone can cure us of this virulent disease. If we ask Him, He will humble us and draw us close to Himself.