.....humility

 A man's pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor Proverbs 29:23.

"Tony Campolo tells of preaching a really good sermon in his preaching class in seminary. Campolo felt pretty proud of his outline, his arguments, and his delivery. He felt pretty proud of himself--until he read his professor's comments at the bottom of the page: 'You can't convince people that Jesus is wonderful and you're wonderful in the same sermon.'"

I recall hearing a somewhat heated discussion between a church member and his minister. I couldn't help but overhear the member all but shouting, "I tell you, I AM humble!" The trouble is if I have to tell you how humble I am, already I've lost it. 

Humility, however, is not degrading or putting yourself down or hanging your head in a false kind of shame. That's insecurity. True humility is having a realistic evaluation of your self, recognizing your gifts, abilities, and strengths and being grateful to God for them. Humility also recognizes and accepts your weaknesses.

On the other hand, pride is a cover-up of one's weaknesses and a blowing up of one's strengths. This, too, like false humility, is a symptom of insecurity. 

True humility recognizes that all of our gifts and blessings are from God and is the fruit of Christian growth and maturity. 

- dick innes