Have a healthy sense of holy humility

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Live like it’s true”

Our Bible verse for today: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Have a healthy sense of holy humility”

Humility is good, right? Well, yes. Sometimes. Good humility is good. Bad humility is bad. Humility can be good or bad depending on its source. Humility is good when it is a holy humility. That’s what Peter was calling for in 1 Peter 5:6-7.

When a Christian has a healthy sense of holy humility, that person realizes that he or she is simply a sinner saved by grace. The person also realizes that because God is in the process of working His good and perfect plan in their life, it is the work of the Holy Spirit in their life that empowers them with gifts, skills, abilities, resources, and talents in order to live their best life. It is all grace and it is all from God. That’s good humility. That’s holy humility.

However, humility can also be bad – it can be unhealthy and unholy. Humility can be bad when it is a false humility. In other words, the person is putting on a show, pretending to be humble in an attempt to impress others with their humility. That’s not humility, it’s pride. It also deceptive, manipulative, and phony. An older pastor and I were once discussing the importance of humility as a virtue among Christian leaders. He made the point that it’s important for us to have mentors in the ministry who are truly humble and who model good humility for us. Then, with tongue firmly placed in cheek he said, “Take me for example, Jim. I’ve very humble, and I’m proud of that.” (Obviously, if you’re proud of being humble then you aren’t really humble.)

Another example of unhealthy humility is the self-depreciating kind that comes from insecurity and self-doubt. This is the person who thinks poorly of themselves. They believe they don’t measure-up compared to others and they’re always down on themselves. This isn’t false humility. In this case the person sincerely does think poorly of themselves. They find it hard to believe that God does not think poorly of them, and they struggle to believe that He loves them and finds them worthy in Christ.

To live our best lives – to live like our faith is real and true – we must have a healthy sense of holy humility. Realize that you are valued, loved, fully accepted, and esteemed by God because you come to Him through faith in His Son Jesus. Beyond that, understand that the Holy Spirit is working in you to transform you into the fully mature spiritual person God intends for you to be. I encourage you to embrace that truth and to thank God for it.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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