HAVING A PURE AND HUMBLE HEART

The discipline of wisdom is fear of Adonai,
so before being honored, a person must be humble. Proverbs 15:33

Harry* was one of the most humble persons I have ever met. He always thought of other people first and gave to others, before he thought of his own needs. Harry was always there, when any of his friends needed help and he offered his services freely and exorbitantly. He had a truly humble heart.

What does it mean to be humble of heart? The internet is filled with countless definitions and sayings focusing on humility. One clear definition, found at Merriam Webster, claims humility is freedom from pride and arrogance. Pride. What a horrible weight to carry upon one’s shoulders. When I am prideful, I am filled with the absolute solid conviction of my being the best. No matter what I do, I am the best and everyone else is somewhat diminished. We see this state of pride in some of our world leaders. When pride enters the picture, I will do whatever I can to avoid admitting being wrong or having hurt someone else, through my stubbornness (pride), arrogance (pride) and feelings of superiority (pride). Pride and arrogance are clearly related.

There are those who claim a clear difference between pride and arrogance. For example, in dealing with the work of a team, pride is the positive feeling that comes with accomplishment, brought about by the entire team. If everyone on the team feels this joy and encouragement of accomplishment, then the pride is warranted. However, when the pride over-reaches itself and begins to become boastfulness, by one or more members, this becomes arrogance.

However, this is not what I associate with pride. With this degree of encouragement comes wisdom, wisdom that the entire team deserves credit for a job well done. This may seem to be pride; however, there is no insecurity at its base. You see, the foundation of pride, as a sin, is insecurity. This feeling is deep-seated, perhaps not even conscious, and drives the desire to feel better, more in control, more competent, etc.

Arrogance is merely a heightened awareness of the pull of insecurity on the individual. There is no wisdom in arrogance. The greater is the arrogant spirit, the greater is the chance of narcissism. Unfortunately, many leaders in government and industry, are driven by a narcissistic spirit.

This narcissistic spirit is one which imbues us with patterns of self-centeredness, arrogant thinking and behaviour. Narcissistic personalities display a lack of empathy and consideration for others. These natural relationship bonding traits are replaced by manipulating, patronizing, selfish and demanding traits. The narcissist will likely never reach a state of maturity and will possibly remain a wounded child for life.

Well, let’s regard Yahveh’s understanding of humility. We find ample references to our Beloved Abba’s perceptions in His Word. For example, Proverbs 11:2 tells us, First comes pride, then disgrace; but with the humble is wisdom. Then, in Luke 14:11, we find Adonai Yeshua’s words – For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Clearly, Yahveh’s desire is for us to humble ourselves before Him and others, to put others and their troubles and issues ahead of ourselves. Finally, in Micah 6:8, we are told – Human being, you have already been told what is good, what Adonai demands of you — no more than to act justly, love grace and walk in purity with your God.

Beloved, are you walking in humility with your God? Are you displaying a humble or a narcissistic, an arrogant spirit? Which direction do you wish to spend the rest of your life?

CONSIDER: Let me restate these questions: are you walking in humility with your God? Are you displaying a humble or a narcissistic, an arrogant spirit? Which direction do you wish to spend the rest of your life?

ACTION: If you have decided to walk in humility with your God, to display a humble spirit, I urge you to present yourself before Him and beg His forgiveness for walking another path. He will help you, if you are dealing with obstacles greater than you can face; He will not let you carry a tiresome burden alone, if you but go to Him in a humble spirit.

PRAY: Beloved Abba; I pray you will hear my plea to help me lose the arrogant and prideful spirit I carry with me. I humbly ask you to remove this weight from my being and endow me with a humble spirit, one that seeks to care for others, rather than for me, one that extends outwards, rather than into my heart. I ask this in Your Beloved Name.

May the God of Avraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you richly.

* Name changed.