C.S. Lewis, renowned philosopher and beloved apologist, born and died this month of November, defined humility as a total absence of self-thought or consideration:
"True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less."
Humility. It is personified in the raw activities of daily life, subtly catching the eye of only the expectant observer: The young man who abandons all to serve on the mission field as men of prominence rebuke him for "wasting his intellectual capabilities." The dutiful housewife who contentedly serves her family as a virtually unnoticed shadow in the realm of more lauded careers. The meek single who acknowledges that future life may well hold permanent celibacy, and willingly embraces Christ as Husband enough. Such examples typify only a sparse understanding of the many faces of humility; evident is the fact, however, that this rare concept is constituted by a stripping of self---a denial of indulgence.
Moment by moment it seems as though, no matter one's purpose in life, men are urged to adhere to Death's surrounding voices. Dripping from the vat of pride, the world voices an urgency to do all possible to benefit oneself no matter the cost to conscience while submission is considered a primitive view of enslaving or suppressing one's abilities or potential. Sadly, the sheep often stray, doing what their hearts despise (Romans 7:15-16).
God, however, loathes a proud heart (Proverbs 21:4). At first thought, a "proud heart" conjures up imagery of a Narcissistic self-love, or haughty snobbery. Pride is not limited to either perspective. Rather, pride envelops every action or attitude which considers itself before God (Exodus 20:5). If one is honest, it must be admitted that pride is the governor of nearly every frame of mind. This was the cause of the fall of both Satan and man.
"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself...and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death to a cross (Philippians 2:5-8)."
