Now we know what true humility is, let's see what mockery of humility is. We have learned that humility in a nut shell is esteeming others better than ourselves and putting others first and the rewards of doing this are of great value to our personal lives.
But there is a false humility that we need to be aware of, we don't want to fall into the trap of the devil with our put on humility. For example:
We could dress slovenly, dirty and even wear clothes that had rips in them to show how humble we are. I know that sounds outrages but I knew some people that wore wrinkled clothes that had been stuffed in a basket and pulled out and put on to show their humility. I also knew a man that came to church with a suit on but it had stain spots all over it and this was his way of showing humility. His wife would wear long dresses that drug the ground and become filthy that way and that was her way of showing how humble she was.
Back in Bible times the Priests and Rulers would fast to show how humble they were. There might even people today that would brag about their fasting and prayer life. I knew a man that would brag about how early he would get up in the morning to read his Bible and pray.
Boasting about our holiness is a mockery to God. We can only be holy through His holiness.
Bragging about all the good deeds we do, and all the accomplishments we have made is pride, not humility.
From my experience I can tell you that usually people who go off to extremes in dress for example, are very critical of the dress of others and not only of others dress but of everything about them. Finding fault and criticizing is not humility, it is pride of heart. It is a form of will-worship. Worshiping ourselves as the Bible says the Pharisee did in the temple. The Bible says that the 'Pharisee prayed thus with himself' but the Publican prayed 'God be merciful to me a sinner'. The Pharisee's prayer was a prayer of bragging and the Publican's prayer was one of complete humility. You can read all about this in Luke 18.
The Bible says the 'Publican went down to his house justified, rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.' Luke 18:14.
Satan always has traps for Christians to fall into if they are not staying in Christ's presence and keeping their eyes fixed on Him. How many times I have fallen into his traps and ended up being humiliated. How about you? It is much better to let go of our pride and humble ourselves in the sight of a Holy God, than to have a proud heart that God has to humble for us, which might not be the best experience we have ever had. In the long run it probably would be the best experience we have ever had but a hard lesson to learn.
In our next study, I would like to mention some people in the Bible who were of a humble character, to encourage us to continue on in our experience of humility. It always helps to have examples to encourage us.
I hope and pray that God is blessing you on your journey of humility, your life will be so much happier, I know mine is and I am amazed how God is teaching me day by day to put others first, it really is amazing.
God bless each of you as you journey towards the kingdom. Grandma Joan
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