What is Humility?
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus”
These words coming from Paul’s pen were radical to the ancient Roman world, for there they applauded pride and strength. Humility would have been a foreign term to the Romans, and an even more foreign concept, it was not practiced much among them. But Paul encouraged the Philippians to be humble.
But what does it look like, true humility? I heard a phrase from a very popular psychologist and philosopher on humility recently, and it struck a chord with me for it has certainly been my experience, this is the phrase;
“It is very difficult to have humility without being arrogant about it.”
I’m sure many can sympathise with this experience, but where did we go wrong? Why did our humility turn into arrogance? I believe C.S Lewis can help us with this – he wrote in his book ‘Mere Christianity’,
“Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call 'humble' nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him… He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.”
When our humility, which by nature is selflessly outward looking, turns inward as we think about how humble we are, then this causes us to think “oh look at me and my humility”, which is not very humble. True humility reaches to the depths of our heart, it requires a complete change of heart, this is why when somebody says, “be humble”, it is not very easy in that moment to be humble.
But in this passage in Philippians, Paul is effectively saying to the church, ‘be humble’, and what this looks like – “count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others”. He then writes, “Have this mind among yourselves” This is the mind of humility. But then he says something which brings us into way of true humility - humility which isn’t seasoned with arrogance. This mind of humility is ours in Christ Jesus.
Now this is the only way to true humility, in Christ, so through our union with Christ we can be truly humble, for the Spirit of Christ who dwells in us transforms our hearts. True humility must reach to the depths of our heart where the Spirit is at work. In Christ there is humility, when we realise this, we will start acting in the way of humility, totally depending on the Spirit and intently looking outward to the needs of those around us.
Although this challenge is incredibly difficult for us to fulfil, and although this path involves much sacrifice, may we count others more significant than ourselves. And look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others, for we can in Christ.
