The most subtle trick of the devil is to cause us to think we are being humble when in reality we are camouflaging pride. How can we really know? The acid test is: does the fruit resemble the character of Christ and does it reveal the fruit of the Spirit? Who is being glorified?
RELEVANCE
We all have measures of pride that need to be crucified with Christ, that our strength reflect the resurrected Christ in us—the substance of His nature—the substance of His Spirit, the Holy Spirit.
Many well-meaning leaders will even fall prey to the devices of false humility, often expressed through religious thoughts and activities. The LORD alone is the Head of the body—community of believers—and He alone can stand in the position of Headship, otherwise known as Lordship. Without any fanfare, we can observe others; but resist judgment and let God be the judge. We do this by submitting our observations in prayer to the LORD.
Paul gave an illustration of false humility to the Colossians. The context related to legalistic performance of religious rituals, but the message applies to all aspects of life.
“Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God… Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations — “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using — according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh” (Colossians 2:16-23).
The bottom line is; who is on the throne– self or God?
REFLECT AND RELATE
Only God can truly measure and judge the substance our heart and compare it to His standard of righteousness—Christ. Ask Him to reveal truth to your heart so you may keep humble before Him.
REFERENCES
John 16:8