False Humility
I have noticed this trend amongst folks that I understand to a certain extent, but it does make me wonder if it isn't really a case of False Humility. I see expressions like:
“I just want to be used”
“It doesn’t matter what you call me”
“It doesn’t matter what my title or function is”
In a sense that is right and correct, but is there just an underlying hint of False Humility in these expressions? Google explains False Humility as:
“Since others value humility, false humility is usually a strategy to gain the benefits of coming across as truly humble.”
In reality, False Humility is rooted in Pride. Believe me, I understand that God is opposed to the Proud and gives Grace to the Humble. But is False Humility really True Humility? Are we trying to keep up the appearance of humility so folks will think correctly about us? Are these thoughts truly in line with the way Paul the Apostle thought?
“For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry.” Romans 11:13 NKJV
“Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead).” Galatians 1:1 NKJV
“For which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” 1 Timothy 2:7 NKJV
“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” Romans 12:3 NKJV
You may be wondering why I chose this array of Scriptures to base my points upon. I trust I will make them clear from these verses. Please allow me to list them in Bullet Format.
In three of the texts listed Paul referred to himself as an apostle.
In one case he stresses his Metron as an Apostle to the Gentiles.
In another case he stresses that his apostleship was not through man but by God.
In the last case he stresses that he is telling the truth and not lying, that he was appointed as a Preacher, Apostle, and Teacher.
We also see that Paul said that he magnified his ministry. (other translations use the word office.)
Notice Paul did not have an issue with either recognizing how he functioned, or what his calling and assignment was.
This is the same man who writes in Romans 12 not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, but to think soberly.
So I guess going by Paul’s practice, identifying who he was and what he was called to was within the confines of not thinking of himself more highly than he ought to.
Yet today if someone refers to themselves by their function...like an Apostle or Prophet...they are ridiculed as being prideful.
Was Paul Prideful or was he just thinking of himself soberly?
Now I can hear the naysayers saying...well that was Paul...and you are not Paul!
Correct...we are not...but if Paul could be identified as an Apostle, If Junia could be identified as an Apostle, if James the Lord’s half Brother could be identified as an Apostle, if Adronicus could be identified as an Apostle...why can’t you or I?
My Brother and Sister, I submit to you that knowing who you are, knowing your Metron, knowing your assignment, knowing your calling, and Identifying it is not Pride at all; put True Humility thinking soberly as Paul did. Did not Paul say: “By the grace of God I am what I am”? (1 Corinthians 15:10)
I often tell folks that have the “Popeye” anointing…”I yam what I yam”. This is what Paul did. Identifying the grace God has placed on your life magnifies His grace...not you. So I ask again, are we exercising True Humility or False Humility?
