In regards to how a person assesses a subjective view of himself or herself, I believe it falls into one of three categories. Two of these categories are just different versions of the same view while the other is the only valid assessment. These three categories are; Pride, Humility and False Humility.

First let us consider Humility in order to put the other two views in their right perspective. Humility is a very, very misunderstood word in the English language. Even amongst the average Christian there are presumptions about the word that do not apply. After reading several authors on the topic perhaps the best definition presented on humility was; "To think of one's self no greater, and no lesser, than the station they possess."

Most people would agree that to think of one's self more highly than they ought is not an earmark of a humble person. However, thinking less of one's self than one ought is not true humility either, which we will get into in a minute. Actual humility is often confused with, or used synonymously with, modesty. A person is complimented on a brave or noble act and when they respond with an, "Aw shucks, just doing what anyone else would have done.", onlookers observe the modesty and consider the man to be humble. Humility is an attribute of many modest people, however not all modest people are truly humble. For that matter, I really don't see that it is possible in this human flesh to consistently remain humble every minute of every day. Pride is our nature and humility is something we must learn. Humility is not a trait that comes natural.

While we may not think we take the time to assess ourselves the fact is that we actually have very distinct ideas of who we are and our worth in our own eyes. When someone offends us with statements that fall beneath our own estimation of ourselves we are quick to respond. This is why humility is so important, that we know ourselves as we are.. not as something so much greater or so much lesser.

Pride is the term used when we think more highly of ourselves than is justified. Unfortunately too many people think that the path to reaching new goals is to "think it into existence". Rather than say to themselves (and others), "I am a good mechanic and my goal is to learn and be the best mechanic I can be.", instead pride plays in and the resulting statement is more like, "I AM the BEST damn mechanic in this whole shop. The whole planet for that matter." Pride causes a person to think of himself or herself more highly than they ought.

Here is another distinction. Pride will produce arrogance and arrogant statements. However, humility will at times be confused for arrogance and subsequently confused with pride. For instance, let's say that five mechanics were independently tested on their knowledge, experience, technical ability and problem solving skills. After the testing was completed it was found that two mechanics were undertrained, one mechanic scored nominal, another scored better and finally the fifth mechanic (we'll call him, Joe) possessed twenty years experience on every make of car and scored well above excellent in all areas. The truth is that Joe is the best mechanic of the five in the shop.

If there ever were a dispute amongst the mechanics as to who was the best mechanic, in all humility Joe can rightfully say, "I have been determined to be the best mechanic in this garage." But if any other mechanic thinks higher of himself than he ought, his pride will flare up and he will likely tell Joe his statement is an arrogant one. Because Joe has a proper view of himself, claiming to be the best mechanic is not arrogance, but humility.

Finally, there is false humility, thinking of one's self less than they ought. If Joe were an insecure person, or too proud to endure any mocking from his peers, his pride could actually lead him to assume a position of 'false humility'. Under this condition Joe would accept and even come to believe he was not a very good mechanic. He may silently consider his talents as being worth more, but in his actions and conversation would insist on taking the position that any of the other mechanics were truly better mechanics than himself. This is not only unhealthy as a self-esteem issue but can lead to inner resentment for accepting a station that is below his true capabilities.

Usually we expect that the only person in need of exercising humility would be the mechanic with the least amount of experience and ability, or whatever field we are observing at the time. But humility is actually required of all five of the mechanics. Those two who scored better than the nominal one can honestly say they are better than some, but not as good as others in their field. For any of them to wrongly interpret or present their station is to leave the definition of humility for either pride or false-humility.

Over the years the issue of 'equality' has been a recurrent theme. From the rights of former slaves to the right of women to vote the idea that all people are equal has been the catalyst to fueling such movements. I remember driving with a friend of mine who out of the blue asked me, "Do you think some people are beneath other people or are all people equal?". After giving is some thought I replied the following.

All people are equal in the sense of their intrinsic value as a human being. We all have, or should have, the same value of life regardless of our handicaps, creeds, religion, and such. There is no group of people who can be casually put to death merely because their life has less value than anyone else's. We are all equal in the sight of God as concerns our value as a person, aside from anything else; we all share equal value because we share the common value of life itself.

However, not all people are equal either in their abilities, beliefs or value to society. Some people hold themselves to a high level of integrity or pursue goals that help mankind in general. Other people value only themselves and pursue goals that maim, murder or rob other people they think have less value than themselves. Back to the issue of pride, they refuse to learn humility and instead live their life based on themselves as a priority and anyone else's life as below secondary to their own wants and desires.

As to value to society, a surgeon is of more value to society than a drunk who wanders through the street aimlessly is. However, both the surgeon and the drunk are equal in their value as human beings. Each of their lives deserves the same rights afforded to any other human life. They each deserve compassion, medical aid, food, shelter, etc. But they are not equal in what they have done with their lives. The surgeon has chosen a pursuit that is worthy of honor. To bestow that same level of honor upon someone who has chosen to waste away their abilities on alcohol contributing nothing to his family, friends or society in general is to bestow honor where it is not merited.

Many people have a problem with making this differentiation. The idea that the two people (surgeon and drunk) possess equal value as human beings is too difficult to separate from the idea that they are not equal in value according to their accomplishments. In the bible we are told to "give honor where honor is due" and that "honor is not befitting for a fool." Likewise the bible makes no difference between the rich or the poor, Jew or Gentile, man or woman in regards to intrinsic human value.

So far we have applied the definitions of pride, humility and false-humility to something as basic as one's occupation. However this concept reaches into every area of our life. It affects the way we look at and treat other people around us. It shapes the allowance we give to others in their ability to abuse our self-respect. A proper, sober stance of humility regarding our abilities shields us from the dangers of arrogant pride and self-demeaning false-humility.

One of the most important assessments we can make about our station in life is in regards to God himself. On the surface most people will agree that God is worthy of honor, respect and love to a far greater degree than any human being. Yet in practice what we tend to do by our very nature is exhibit a lifestyle born and shaped in pride. In the bible God makes many clear statements regarding how we should live, change and believe about everything pertinent to our survival. Yet, while one moment acknowledging that He is a superior being to ourselves, every one of us at some time says with our actions, "I know better how to run my life than you do, so please go away."

As swimming is natural to fish and flying natural to birds, pride is so very natural to our human condition. Animals do not act out of pride; they act out of instinct. Humans, possessing the attributes that allow us to create and reason, possess the ability to exercise pride or humility.

It is usually assumed that the polar opposite of love is hatred. This is not true. Love is the essence of a selfless life that seeks the good of others before itself. Pride is the motivation that lives in the belief that Self must come before all else and everyone else. Pride is what leads to hatred, to envy, to lust, to murder and all other things that place the importance of Self ahead of all else. Just as Love seeks to improve and serve those around them, pride seeks to take what it desires from others, whom it considers less than itself, in order to satisfy self.

This is why, as C.S. Lewis once put it, that lust is not the sexual desire of a man for a woman. The woman is merely the utensil by which the man satisfies his desire. It is not the woman, but the satisfaction of his own lust that he is after. Love, on the other hand, desires not just a woman.. but one particular woman to 'give' to her the benefits that love has to offer. Love seeks out the needs of others and goes to work fulfilling the needs and desires of others, secondary to it's own needs or desires.

Whenever a person has difficulty distinguishing where he or she stands in regards to their pride or humility they can place themselves before the feet of their Creator for a comparison. If we think ourselves to be virtuous, loving, perfect, wise or understanding beyond our station.. a silent moment before the perfectness of God should put things into perspective. If we feel we are worthless and beyond redemption, too cruel or wicked by even our own standards that we hate the very life we breathe.. again, placing ourselves before God's mercy is what we need to set ourselves where we need to be. If He deems we have forgiveness, not even our own residual guilt can argue otherwise. Humility deems us as no more.. and no less, than God has assessed us to be.

©2005

Back To Article Index