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| Humility in our walk The Spirit will always have us yield to what is right, good and true. Humility means one does NOT think more highly of themselves, they know their strong and weak points. They are able and willing to receive truth from another, even if it is correction. God ordained authority is living by humility, to consider oneself being equal with others takes a surrendered soul. To humble oneself in the sight of the Lord God can be difficult and is often a fight against pride that may be present. It’s our duty to examine ourselves. A servant is someone who spends time in God’s presence by reading His Word, praying and willing to minister to others even when it is uncomfortable. This does not always end in agreement. The more aware we become of who the Lord is, how holy He is, the more we become aware of our sins and flaws and our daily dependence on Him. This trains us in humility, that is when we understand in a personal way His grace and mercy to us. God’s power rests in his word which is to be received “ with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls .” (James 1:21-22) Meekness, humility is willing to yield to the words of truth, to God’s ways, not men’s. Submission has become an avoided word inside the church. One cannot submit to someone they cannot trust. So we need leaders we can trust, that prove they are god’s leaders so we can submit. I have written about those in leadership and how they are to relate to those whom they are to serve in the church. It is pride that stops people from any intent of submission when there are no issues. We are to serve those in leadership and allow them to lead. “ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you .” (1 Peter 5:5-7) However, if a pastor is trying to control you, give unbiblical directives that do not lead to your freedom then he is not serving. Servants help others, not manipulate them to serve them. Paul explained how he conducted himself among the church. 2 Cor. 10:1 “ Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.” Meekness did not stop Paul from telling them what they needed to hear. If one goes along with every decision the pastor makes they can rise to higher positions inside church, they become a special friend; they become what is called as “yes men.”Even a pastor can need correction and instruction at times. Truth is not easily accepted especially if someone consistently opens themselves up to error. This goes for pastors also. Correction does not come easy to leaders who are in charge of others, especially from someone they do not know, or respect. This is why we must walk in humility, as pride will always rise in us to resist the truth. When people do not listen to the Word, especially pastors, they are walking in pride and humility is not found there. James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable , gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. “ The Lord is behind those that protect the weak and promote ones individual freedom. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. The Lord is against those who enslave people with ideologies and their false Bible interpretations. Especially to keep their position or for money. Quickly repenting when one is shown they are wrong or in error shows humility is present. Col. 3:12-14 ‘ as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility , meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” If someone you have a conflict with comes to you asking to discuss it and asks forgiveness for the offence we should not hesitate in forgiving them. But when they propose conditions for it to have it side their way then they have an agenda that is not toward reconciliation. To reconcile must be done in humility. True humility is willing to yield to the words of truth and to admit one can be wrong and seeks what is wrong and right. Christian maturity is seen when one quickly repents, goes to the one they offend, finding out their offense and asks for forgiveness. If they make excuses and justify themselves then the Holy Spirit does not have control over their heart, they are acting carnally. Just because a pastor notices false teaching and at times speaks on it does not mean he is against it. You will know how he sides when he is faced with it from within his own church. Then you will know if he is a good shepherd that cares enough for you to tell you the truth and do it. I have seen many say the right thing over the pulpit and then when came time to act on it they didn’t, they compromised because of friendship. True friends tell the truth to the one who needs correction out of love. Soft spokenness does not mean true humility, more people get fooled by this outward action. Just as it’s not good to be brash and loud and boisterous which shows a lack of humility. Just because someone is soft spoken and quiet does not mean they have humility, there is such a thing as false humility where they act like they have it but really don’t. Nor is it someone saying in prayer “I humbly ask this in your name.” Rom. 13:13-14 “ Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts .” This can only be done… “ that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:24) Even when we correct people in doctrine we are to have the attitude of Christ: “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” (2 Tim. 2:24-26)
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