What I hope to expose in this chapter is an extreme or “false” sense of humility that looks and sounds right, but is actually very self centered. It’s a thought that goes something like this… “Oh woe is me… I’m just a sinner saved by Grace. I have nothing to offer… Oh terrible person that I am, I’ll never be a strong Christian” (this is actually an appropriate reaction for a person who has just discovered their own wretchedness for the first time). What I’m concerned about is when people never make it to the resurrection. I’ve watched some people almost competing to be the most “humble”. How crazy is that? That doesn’t even make sense does it? Let me try to explain what I’ve seen. Some people think “humility” is the same as “ignorance”. This mindset has produced many clueless Christians. If you ask this type of person about their faith, they respond with something like, “Uh, are you talking to me? I’m just a poor humble sinner. Why would you ask the lowly such as I, about God’s kingdom? You should talk to a preacher, that’s their department, and they do a much better job than us poor, unworthy sinner folk.”
Like I said, it’s crazy, but it’s out there. Friends, this is not humility. This is fear and ignorance. The driving force behind it is a lie that says, “Just stumble along for now… Don’t make any waves… Don’t do anything to draw attention to yourself… Make sure you don’t step on anyone’s toes… Just hide in the background and act like you don’t know what you’re doing. Then when you get to Heaven, God will reward you for being the quietest, most humble (more like ignorant and powerless) Christian who’s ever lived.” Believe me, when God is living in you and he wants to impact the people around you, you’re going to get some attention and make waves whether you like it or not! In God’s kingdom, ignorance is not bliss. Ignorance will get you killed spiritually.
Those who settle into true humility find themselves being exalted here on Earth, and they use their platform to honor God. Funny thing is, this usually happens when a person is no longer interested in even having a platform or position, because one who is truly humble is fine without one. However, he/she will not shrink back when asked to serve in some way. Real humility helps a person serve effectively. False humility is like an ostrich with its head buried in the sand. You are lowering yourself, no doubt, but you are still very visible, and very exposed. Some may refer to you as the “quiet” one, (it’s hard to talk with your head in the sand) some may think you are rather strange, but the only people who would call you humble are others who are also playing the same ridiculous game.
Some people get caught up in the game of “looking humble”. The Pharisees were particularly good at this. They focused exclusively on outward appearance, and ignored the more important inward issues. They appeared to be humble, but were actually full of pious pride. This is still a huge problem today. People hide their issues by dressing or acting a certain way. God sees through this. He knows who is truly humble, and who is not. You can find real humility and false humility in every denomination known to man. From the most conservative to the most liberal church there is. Remember, “The wheat will grow with the tares” (Matthew 13:30) until the end. Don’t fall for the idea that you need to rid the world of all the “tares” (it’s not going to happen), just thank God if you are “wheat”, and humbly go about your business.