HAUGHTYOR HUMBLE?

HAUGHTY OR HUMBLE?

DOC LYNCH

You can be the overzealous braggart. Or the pathetically insecure. Both have something in common. They try to keep the spotlight on themselves.

It's the haughty spirit of self exaltation that Jesus speaks about being brought low.

Or the extreme practitioner of humility. The modest person. Never seeking attention. That one will be exalted and brought to a place of honor.

Matthew 23:12 (AMP) – "Whoever exalts himself [ with haughtiness and empty pride] shall be humbled (brought low), and whoever humbles himself [whoever has a modest opinion of himself and behaves accordingly] shall be raised to honor."

Clearly what Jesus says here points to humility as being the trait most pleasing to God. It is better to be exalted and honored then humbled and brought low. As long as it's God doing it.

But how about that SPIRITUALLY flat and unassuming person?

That person who just sits there. Somewhere between earthbound and spiritually vibrant.

They could actually be misunderstood. One could mistake their quietness as humility and modesty.

However, modesty and humility as Jesus prefers is not laziness or flatness. It's not a do-nothing-ness.

In fact…isn't the test of one's humility and spiritual modesty proven in the furnace of acting upon and carrying out all that Jesus expects us to do as believers?

Fake humility and modesty is simply bland and boring flatness with non-accomplishment. That person is not humble or modest at all. They are just lazy. Or ignorant. Or perhaps scared. In any event, they certainly aren't carrying out the will of God.

Non-responsive pew sitters are essentially reactive, never proactive.

This should not automatically be assumed to be a form of humble piety.

They will be stirred to some sort of emotional reaction when their anger is stirred, which is generally a reaction to their pride being hurt. Hurt pride is a sign of humiliation, not humility.

No True Believer can ever suffer "humiliation". It is the polar opposite of humility. Humiliation is a symptom of extreme pridefulness and self-exaltation. Self has nothing to be proud of. Good grief, it's a circumvention of God.

So what about the relationship of us and Jesus? Like what John the Baptist said.

John 3:30 (AMP) – "He must increase, but I must decrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so.]."

Pointing to Jesus always. Giving Him honor and glory at the expense of denying ourselves the spotlight.

Bland nothingness does not indicate this. True humility does.

Humility enters into the picture the minute others know a person has been doing spectacular things for the Kingdom of God, and it has become general knowledge through a wide range of sources other than the one performing them.

Passive and quiet hostility is not a form of humility. It's just a seething and suppressed anger that will eventually surface as depression.

That's a spiritual cancer in the Church. Sitting in church year after year and not having anyone ever know the real you. People generally have to sort of suspect or guess that all is well. They don't ever really know.

Maybe that person doesn't even know who they are themselves.

The Gospel should be a guide to discovery out of self to Jesus. It reveals things to us. It points us away from undesirable behavior and informs us as to what pleases Jesus.

One thing for sure. Good, bad, we can't be indifferent. He sees it anyway, no matter how good a job we do in fooling others.

I'm Pastor Doc Lynch from Revival Life Church, 21 Executive Center Drive, New Milford, CT 06776.

How's your journey out of yourself and to Jesus going?

We strive for that all the time here. How about joining us on Sunday morning at 10:00.

It's not just going to "happen" for you. You have to seek it. We can help!

Be REVIVED!

~Pastor Doc Lynch~