Do I trust God for everything?
The
heart of humility is acknowledging you utter dependence on God.
Am I grateful for what God has given me?
If you
truly recognize God as your sole provider, who supplies you with every good
thing that you have, you will be thankful to Him for all of His gifts.
How well do I receive help from others?
Whereas
it’s easy to acknowledge your need for God, it’s another thing to acknowledge
your need for another person. When God uses someone to pay your rent, buy you
lunch, pray for you, babysit your kids, fix your car, or teach you a biblical
lesson, how quick are you to receive these gifts with thanksgiving as from the
Lord? Stiff-arming help can be a sign of pride.
Do I become envious quickly?
Your
level of envy toward others is a practical gauge to see whether or not you are
truly grateful for what God has given you. Gratitude and envy don’t really mix.
Am I easily offended?
If you are
proud, you will become defensive when someone degrades you. Of course it's never fun when someone puts you down, but humility doesn't feel the need to defend its own reputation (e.g. Jesus on earth).
Am I able to acknowledge my strengths
without boasting?
The key
to humility is not pretending that
you don’t have strengths or trying to diminish them. Rather, if God has truly gifted you in an area
(and He does give Christians spiritual gifts) then you are allowed to be honest and as objective as possible
about that. In fact, it is a sign of ingratitude when you try to ignore or diminish the gift that you have received from God as if it was not even given but self derived.
Would I care if no one ever
recognized my gifts and strengths?
Humility
is being able to wait for the recognition of one’s gifts and the exaltation
that ensues. It is not seeking out how one’s strengths might be made visible
here and now at every possible moment.
Can I ponder my weaknesses
without becoming hopeless?
If you come to the end of your strength and find that you have no
hope whatsoever, then you are probably putting your hope in your own strength.
Weakness is a constant and necessary reminder that we need God for everything. When we come to the end of
ourselves, our hope in God and dependence on Him should only be strengthened. Weakness
is the garden of humility. So how do you handle situations that draw out your weaknesses?
Do I always need to make my opinion known?
Social media has revealed that everyone has an opinion and wants it to be heard. The ability to remain silent when wisdom calls can be a sign that you don't feel the need to defend yourself.
Do I always need to make my opinion known?
Social media has revealed that everyone has an opinion and wants it to be heard. The ability to remain silent when wisdom calls can be a sign that you don't feel the need to defend yourself.
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