It Is Humility Month (Part 2)

Some say it’s pride month! I say it’s humility month.

Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt 5:5). This beatitude reminds us that Christians are enigmas to the world. Jesus says, “You want to be happy? You want total fulfillment? Forget yourself! Don’t put yourself into that equation of happiness.” How does that reconcile with the world’s mantra – “Look out for #1” or “believe in yourself” or “you can do whatever or become whatever you want to be?”

This word for “meek” means “mild, soft, humble.” Jesus calls Himself “gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29).  

A humble person does not make room for boasting. A humble person does not assert his way or agenda over others. A humble person doesn’t get defensive. A humble person doesn’t pity himself. A humble person welcomes correction and teaching. A humble person does not justify his sinful decisions. He is quick to admit his wrong. He doesn’t minimize his sins and maximize the sins of others. A humble person doesn’t see himself as better than anyone or everyone else. A humble person surrounds himself with the wisdom of others. A humble person downplays his own accomplishments and honors others.

This Beatitude of humility is spoken of often throughout the Scriptures as a life-long pursuit. “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12). Keep putting these attributes on. Don’t stop being humble. The prophet Zephaniah writes, “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands;seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord” (Zephaniah 2:3).

If you are humble, you will be “blessed”. How? Jesus says that you “shall inherit the earth.” Does my humility somehow supersede his reign? This is probably an allusion to Psalm 37:10-11 when the psalmist writes, “In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves IN ABUNDANT PEACE.” The promise is not about ruling over domain like the earth. Inheriting the earth refers to one who has found complete satisfaction and contentment in the world – “in abundant peace.”

Pride is a never-ending unsatisfying cycle; humility brings contentment.