True Humility

I've been wondering about true humility, so I browsed it in the internet. Here are some things I've found. (Post note: May the Lord teach us all true humility in every sense of that phrase.)

1. Discussion on Humility:

If we compare ourselves DOWN, that can make us conceited, even proud.

Look at it the other way: if we compare ourselves UP, does that work? It discourages us. It doesn’t produce humility; it just grinds us down.

Humility comes from seeing ourselves before God.

Humility in the Bible is always a Godward virtue. It is not a comparative virtue. It is not the virtue of the psychologically damaged or of those who feel inferior to others. It comes from really seeing what you are in your attitudes and your actions as God alone knows you to be.

2. The Many Faces of Humility ----> I recommend you to read the article as it's too long for me to copy here, but let me give you an excerpt of it:

Receiving humility—Known for giving sacrificially to meet the needs of others, humility also knows when to gratefully receive help and kindness.

Skeptical humility—Humility knows when to give others the benefit of the doubt. But on important occasions it knows when to lovingly and courageously disbelieve what it is hearing.

Self-helping humility—While self-help can be an arrogant way of rejecting the help of God and others, humility also knows when to educate and improve itself for the good of others.

3. True Humility Balances Self-Worth with Modesty:

The root of true humility is never a belittling or denying the gifts we have been given. That is more in keeping with false modesty. True humility requires an honest and sincere acknowledgment that the credit for these gifts is due entirely to God.

4. Being a Man of Humility: (There are 10 traits of humility written in that site but I'll only copy three, you can read the rest in the site)

1. True humility enables us to honestly recognize whom we are as finite humans compared to the infinite majesty of God (i.e., who we are relative to who God is). It allows us to see ourselves as God sees us.
2. True humility is not a matter of downcast weakness but of a strong determination to let God work in and through us, not by our own power but by the working of his power—not by our wisdom but according to the wisdom of his plans and purposes.
3. True humility frees us from pretense and delusion about ourselves; it strips away whatever would mask our identity as God’s beloved children.

5. True Humility. Bill Williams wrote that a truly humble person is:

a. Honest
b. Unpretentious
c. Manageable
d. Bold
e. Loving
f. Enthusiastic

To read each trait's description, click on the above link.

6. From the Scripture:

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
- Ephesians 4:2

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
- Philippians 2:3

7. From Lady's Quotes:

True humility is intelligent self respect which keeps us from thinking too highly or too meanly of ourselves. …it makes us modest by reminding us how far we have come short of what we can be.
--Ralph W. Sockman

True humility is not an abject, groveling, self-despising spirit--it is but a right estimate of ourselves as God sees us.
--Tryon Edwards

Many people believe that humility is the opposite of pride, when, in fact, it is a point of equilibrium. The opposite of pride is actual a lack of self-esteem. A humble person is totally different from a person who cannot recognize and appreciate himself as part of this worlds marvels.
--Rabino Nilton Bonder

Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much;
Wisdom is humble that he knows no more.
--William Cowper ("Winter Walk at Noon" The Task)

I'd love to end this post by quoting this creed:

A Creed For Those Who Have Suffered
by an Unknown Confederate Soldier

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey…

I asked for health, that I might do great things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things…

I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise…

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God…

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things…

I got nothing I asked for – but everything I had hope for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am, among men, most richly blessed!