Humility is a difficult thing to fake. I don't mean that people can't pretend to be humble. I mean, if you are not truly humble, your pride will eventually come to the surface. Without true humility, you'll eventually blow your cover.
What does it mean to be humble? Humility is the ability to see yourself for who you truly are and recognize that the world doesn't revolve around you. A humble person can put someone else first, not because they have to, but because it is the right thing to do.
Humility focuses more on responsibilities than rights. Being humble doesn't mean a person doesn't think he has rights. It means he understands that his rights have to be used responsibly.
One of the fastest ways to test a persons humility is to correct them. Pride hates correction. Why? Because correction implies (or explicitly states) that a person is wrong. Pride has developed an exception to every rule, and therefore needs no correction.
Ask yourself, "What is my reaction to correction?". Let's assume you got overwhelmed (because you are overworked and under appreciated) and you missed an appointment. The person with whom you were to meet is upset. They accuse you of being disorganized and lazy. How would you feel?
Do you feel betrayed? bewildered? hurt? defensive? How certain are you that there isn't a shred of truth in their accusations? Pride will have you on the defensive. It will arm you with a list of reasons that you can't be wrong.
Humility acknowledges the mistake. It acknowledges limitation and the temptation to defend oneself. Humility takes the time to consider the complaint, then acts accordingly.
Jesus walked in humility. He had a humble heart. His followers need to pursue humility, as well. I want a humble heart, but I wrestle with pride every day. I wish correction didn't chaff me as much, but it does. Until that day, my prayer will be, "God, grant me the ability to endure correction until my heart walks in humility."
Showing posts with label Correction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Correction. Show all posts
Monday, February 25, 2013
Friday, October 1, 2010
Log Removal May Be Required
"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? Your hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" (Matt. 7:3-5).
Have you every watched someone you love throw their life away? Have you had to watch helplessly as they inch closer and closer to death? It may be that you find yourself wondering if today might just be the day you get that call--the wretched call that tells you the torturous waiting is over, and your worst fears are realized. Such phone calls do not bring about relief. They only intensify the pain.
How can we help someone who is in the habit of making bad choices? Is there any sense in warning someone who has shown as much interest in repentance as a four year-old boy shows in a bath? What about your own sin? You know the one (or ones) I'm talking about--those sins you detest, but persist in. Every time they trip you up you vow to never do them again, but much to soon you find your vows broken into a thousand pieces.
Jesus warns us of the inherent danger of looking to the sins of others without first looking to our own. But is this an absolute prohibition against confronting others in their sin (especially when there is sin in our lives)? The context of this passage suggests that isn't what Jesus meant. Yes, Jesus wonders why someone is worried about sin in another's life, but blissfully ignorant of their own sin. But his solution to such strange approach is not to command silence, but to call for confession and repentance. He says, "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" (Matt. 7:5).
We are to remove the "log" from our own eye, that is to remove sin from our lives. This does not mean that only sinless people can warn, correct, or encourage people. It means that we must approach them in humility, fully aware of our own sinful tendencies, and completely dependent upon the grace of God that is in Christ Jesus. In such an atmosphere, we extend to them the grace we wish to receive. We treat them as fallen brothers until they prove otherwise. We do not approach the situation with an attitude of superiority, but one of sympathy. If not by God's grace, we to would be carried away into some greater mischief.
We remove the log from our eye by confessing our sin to Jesus and trusting him to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. We earn the right to correct by walking the humility that comes from grace. We aren't moral authorities, as if we don't make mistakes. We are broken individuals who know where to turn to be fixed. When we encounter other broken people, we just point them in the right direction. The goal isn't to get them to behave the way we want; the goal is to point them to Jesus.
So don't be afraid to approach someone you love with a message that confronts them in their sin. It isn't hypocrisy if you're not pretending to be something your not. I hope this emboldens you to speak to that person you've been afraid to talk to. I hope they see your heart, and God uses it to move their hearts to repentance. I hope you will tackle the logs in your life, so that you might see clearly to point other toward the right path.
Have you every watched someone you love throw their life away? Have you had to watch helplessly as they inch closer and closer to death? It may be that you find yourself wondering if today might just be the day you get that call--the wretched call that tells you the torturous waiting is over, and your worst fears are realized. Such phone calls do not bring about relief. They only intensify the pain.
How can we help someone who is in the habit of making bad choices? Is there any sense in warning someone who has shown as much interest in repentance as a four year-old boy shows in a bath? What about your own sin? You know the one (or ones) I'm talking about--those sins you detest, but persist in. Every time they trip you up you vow to never do them again, but much to soon you find your vows broken into a thousand pieces.
Jesus warns us of the inherent danger of looking to the sins of others without first looking to our own. But is this an absolute prohibition against confronting others in their sin (especially when there is sin in our lives)? The context of this passage suggests that isn't what Jesus meant. Yes, Jesus wonders why someone is worried about sin in another's life, but blissfully ignorant of their own sin. But his solution to such strange approach is not to command silence, but to call for confession and repentance. He says, "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" (Matt. 7:5).
We are to remove the "log" from our own eye, that is to remove sin from our lives. This does not mean that only sinless people can warn, correct, or encourage people. It means that we must approach them in humility, fully aware of our own sinful tendencies, and completely dependent upon the grace of God that is in Christ Jesus. In such an atmosphere, we extend to them the grace we wish to receive. We treat them as fallen brothers until they prove otherwise. We do not approach the situation with an attitude of superiority, but one of sympathy. If not by God's grace, we to would be carried away into some greater mischief.
We remove the log from our eye by confessing our sin to Jesus and trusting him to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. We earn the right to correct by walking the humility that comes from grace. We aren't moral authorities, as if we don't make mistakes. We are broken individuals who know where to turn to be fixed. When we encounter other broken people, we just point them in the right direction. The goal isn't to get them to behave the way we want; the goal is to point them to Jesus.
So don't be afraid to approach someone you love with a message that confronts them in their sin. It isn't hypocrisy if you're not pretending to be something your not. I hope this emboldens you to speak to that person you've been afraid to talk to. I hope they see your heart, and God uses it to move their hearts to repentance. I hope you will tackle the logs in your life, so that you might see clearly to point other toward the right path.
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