False Humility or Genuine Humility

When We Deny the Glory of God’s Workmanship from within – i.e. False Humility.

Or, recognising our true identity in Christ and honouring His life in one another – i.e. Genuine Humility.

The danger of false humility

Humility is one of the most beautiful characteristics of a believer. Yet there is a subtle danger in confusing genuine humility with self-abasement, or any form of a self-imposed piousness. We may believe that diminishing ourselves, denying our worth, or refusing to acknowledge God’s work in our lives is an expression of piety. But is it?

Or we may take the Old Testament Scriptures like Isaiah 42:8, “I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols” out of context, as the whole point of the new covenant is to become one with Jesus Christ, united forever – “the two becoming one” as the Bride and Wife of the Lamb. The total devotion and sanctification within a personal relationship now makes the possible carved images in our lives redundant, we are being changed into His image.

Paul warns against religious practices that have an appearance of wisdom through self-imposed worship, false humility and severity toward the body (Colossians 2:18–23). His concern is not genuine modesty, but a spirituality that appears impressive while failing to hold fast to Christ.

False humility can take many forms. We may repeatedly describe ourselves as worthless, incapable or unworthy, even when Scripture declares that we have become new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We may hesitate to acknowledge spiritual gifts, calling such recognition pride. We may even mistake an identity rooted in our former failures for an appropriately humble attitude.

But consider the danger: “When we continually define ourselves by what we were, we may fail to recognise what God has made us.” But also, if you are considered the temple of Holy Spirit, and you have the mind of Christ, being transformed from glory to glory in His Presence with a “remaining glory”, why has it become so easy for believers to deny the permanency of God’s holy (sanctified) deposit and change in our lives? (Also, Ephesians 1:13–14 and 2 Corinthians 1:21–22).

Such thinking can undermine confidence in God’s promises, discourage spiritual growth and hinder the expression of His life through us.

This does not mean that we should deny our weaknesses or cease acknowledging our dependence upon grace. Rather, we must distinguish between our former condition apart from Christ and our new identity in Him.

Romans 12:3 calls us to think soberly about ourselves. Sober judgment is neither exaggeration nor self-contempt. It is agreement with the truth. But as His spouse (eternally) we submit to His authority, glory and love – and in that eternal, authentic identity we can face the areas that need transformation. That should not make us feel less than precious and glorified, it should excite us, spur us on to complete the path of progressive sanctification.

True humility constantly acknowledges God’s workmanship

Paul makes an extraordinary declaration in 1 Corinthians 15:10: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.” Notice that Paul neither denies what he has become nor claims the achievement as his own. He recognises the transformation while giving all the glory to God’s grace, but appreciated who he had become in Him.

This is the heart of true humility!

Ephesians 2:10 describes believers as God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. Would an artist be honoured if his finished work continually denied the skill and beauty imparted by its creator? We do not honour the Artist by belittling His workmanship. Neither do we honour Him by claiming His work as our own.

True humility acknowledges the glory of God’s handiwork while recognising that the glory belongs to Him. Celebrating the glory of being a vessel of honour, bedecked with gold, silver and precious stones: containing the precious wine, the true reason of being His vessel and spouse. (Also, read 2 Timothy 2:20–21 and 2 Corinthians 4:7).

We must stand in the experiential knowledge that we are partakers of the divine nature.

Peter takes this revelation further: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3). He continues by declaring that through God’s precious promises we may become “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).

What an extraordinary invitation! We are not merely called to admire the character of Christ from a distance. Through the Holy Spirit, we are invited to participate in His life and increasingly reflect His nature.

This does not make us independently divine. Our participation remains entirely dependent upon Christ, who declared, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). And being submitted to Christ in all things! Yet neither should we deny the transforming power that God has made available through union with Him.

The Holy Spirit renews our thinking, transforms our character and enables us to express the righteousness, love and goodness of Christ.

Arise, shine!

Isaiah declares: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1). Originally addressed to Zion in a vision of restoration, this beautiful prophetic imagery also invites us to reflect upon God's glory becoming visible through His redeemed people. Notice that the light originates with God. Yet those upon whom His glory rests are called to arise and shine! We are not the source of the light, but neither are we called to conceal its radiance.

Such a mindset will help us to recognise His glory in one another, and bring us into unity.

Perhaps the most profound expression of this truth appears in Jesus’ prayer: “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one” (John 17:22). Here, the glory given by the Father to the Son is shared with His people for a remarkable purpose: unity.

Recognising our identity in Christ must therefore extend beyond ourselves.

When we recognise God's workmanship in fellow believers, our relationships begin to change. We learn to honour one another, appreciate different gifts, exercise patience and cultivate genuine love.

The unity of the Spirit is not built upon spiritual superiority, but upon our shared participation in Christ.

Stepping into our true identity - How, then, do we move beyond false humility?

Begin by accepting what God declares concerning those who are in Christ. Renew your thinking through Scripture. Abide in Christ and depend upon the Holy Spirit to transform your attitudes, desires and actions.

Practise loving obedience. Recognise God’s grace in others. Celebrate His work without claiming its glory (it is inherently obvious!).

Above all, remember that spiritual maturity is not achieved by cultivating a greater opinion of ourselves, but through a growing revelation of Christ and our life in Him.

True humility does not deny the glory of God’s work. It acknowledges His transforming grace as part of our glorious metamorphosis and His work in and through us will give Him the honour and glory due to Him.

Let us therefore arise, shine, and encourage one another to become all that God has called us to be in Christ Jesus.

Blessings

Ben

Our thanks to Ben for this month’s Blog contribution

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