There are many ways God grows humility in us. Sometimes the humbling comes like a flood of water, drowning the proud heart. Other times it comes like a gentle rain, exposing the façade of a self-centered life. However, whenever and however it comes it’s never pleasant, as Hebrews says “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Today I have come face to face (as a flood) with my sinful arrogant heart. It’s not pretty, and in some ways it surprises me (is that really me?). CJ Mahaney makes this great point in his book humility, “The real issue here is not if pride exists in your heart; it’s where pride exists and how pride is being expressed in your life.” CJ then quotes John Stott, “At every stage of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend.”
One of the greatest ways I see pride in my life is the lack of self-control over my speech and my joking. Pride says, “I can say whatever I want to say;” “Come on, I’m only joking;” “If that’s how you took it, it’s your business;” “I’m just being honest;” “I’ve done nothing wrong.” However, the book of Ephesians has a ton to say about how we speak. “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving”(Eph. 5:4). “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear”(Eph. 4:29). God’s very words are powerful and profitable to convict me of my sin and train me in righteousness.
It’s also in the midst of God’s words that we see our great Savior who came and died for sins! Christ became sin for me (and you) and poured out his blood for the forgiveness of my sins. When I see and acknowledge the darkness of my sins it makes the gospel of Christ Jesus shine as bright as a million suns. God has not dealt with me as my sins deserve. I am a great sinner, but I have an even greater Savior!
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10)
Kurt,
Your humility is an example to me and your quickness to see and repent of sin and your swiftness to run to the Gospel is a work of amazing grace in your life. Thank you for this reminder that ALL my speech must be for the purpose of bringing grace to my hearers (even the little hearers in my care!). I love you! -b-
Kurt,
This brought tears to my eyes and made me think of the words that come out of my mouth. It reminded me of how sarcastic I can be and how many times in the past I have hurt others in the name of “just joking”. It also reminded me of a professor at PBU who once informed us in a chapel that the greek word for sarcasm is sarcasmo which literally translates into the tearing of the flesh. In our haste to judge we often “forget” our own words and how we use them. Thank your for the humility of your post.
Well done brother. You are more humble than I. I continue to learn from your example.
kurt,
Thank you for this post. I was reminded this morning about my own pride after thinking about something my wife said to me last night. I can only thank my Savior for you and many others for being a example in this area I find so hard to move forward in. This is a encouraging reminder to me of His great love for us all.