Humble words that aren’t so humble
Today’s featured devotional is from Oswald Chambers’ classic My Utmost for His Highest. It asks us to think carefully about what we say to God and our fellow man. What we think sounds “humble” in one context might communicate something very different in another:
The way we continually talk about our own inabilities is an insult to our Creator. To complain over our incompetence is to accuse God falsely of having overlooked us. Get into the habit of examining from God’s perspective those things that sound so humble to men. You will be amazed at how unbelievably inappropriate and disrespectful they are to Him. We say things such as, “Oh, I shouldn’t claim to be sanctified; I’m not a saint.” But to say that before God means, “No, Lord, it is impossible for You to save and sanctify me; there are opportunities I have not had and so many imperfections in my brain and body; no, Lord, it isn’t possible.” That may sound wonderfully humble to others, but before God it is an attitude of defiance.
Conversely, the things that sound humble before God may sound exactly the opposite to people. To say, “Thank God, I know I am saved and sanctified,” is in God’s eyes the purest expression of humility. It means you have so completely surrendered yourself to God that you know He is true. Never worry about whether what you say sounds humble before others or not. But always be humble before God, and allow Him to be your all in all.
Thank you for helping me!
thats good stuff!!
to be humble is to be like Christ ways, of course we are not perfect but by the grace of God we can be a humble person, ready to forgive others, to accept all people and even to love our own enemies and to pray that the adversaries to be healed by Christ. All these can be done with the humbleness of heart, without also Christ our hearts cannt learn to be humble, it is in Jesus the vine which a person can bear fruit, as we are the branches, so without Jesus christ a person cannot do a thing, and i say to those who have not experience the love of Christ, Isaih 55:6-7 + Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts, let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. + Seek the LOrd you People and in him you find rest and comfort in everything. May the Lord Of mercy and love open your eyes that you may see the truth which is Jesus Crhrist our savior
Thanks Andy for this posting. I have been thinking about somethings I heard some preachers say on their broadcast that sound very humble. But what they don’t realise is that they are diluting the power of the word and Spirit of God to move mightily in the lives of Believers. Their messages sounds very humble but they deny the power of God. Child of God rise up in faith and trust God to be and do what He said He will in His word. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever.” Heb. 13:8.
Thanks so much for this post today. It reminds me of Philians 4 13
I can do all things through Christ that enables me.
I have the strenght of Christ, and He made me in perfection and excellence. I rather remain humble to God that please any man
I know God shall keep helping me forever.
This is an Eye-opener for me! Thanks!
To say that we are unable to do the things God has ask us or to feel unworthy of all that He has freely given is to cheapen the Blood that was shed for us. Yet to raise up and go where He sends us, to speak often of His goodness toward us, to be grateful for His provision, that in itself is showing to the world that God’s love to mankind provides all that we need. That the Blood that was given for us is Holy and worthy,and more than adequate, therefore it is humbling and empowering to realize the impact it has on us! We need to mirror the very image of Jesus, who was meek, kind, and yet walked in the authority of God himself.
I think there is a lot of truth in what one of these individuals says about doubting in our abilities as a means of disavowing God if indeed you have a solid understanding of who God is. If God is in you, there is simply no room for this type of thought. Now, if you are not far enough along in your walk to understand that all the things that happen in one’s life make them an even better testament to God, keep walking. Our afflictions or inadequacies and the way we perceive them are either a testament to God’s almighty power or simply those things that separate us from him. I have been through much in my life, and early in my walk, I was angry and resentful, not toward God but toward man and the men or women (not gender specific) that I believed accosted me. As I grew more in Christ, more was revealed and now I know I am a testament to God and the atrocities I went through were like basic training that upon graduation, which I believe never comes, only strengthens, not only my relationship with God but makes me a stronger more well equipped Christian. Enabling me to minister to those who would not otherwise accept Christ. Remember there is only one pair of footsteps in the sand and they don’t belong to us.