What words come to mind first when you think of humility? Perhaps words such as: quiet, timid, self-deprecating, unassuming, retreating, apologetic, etc.? Likely we would also come up with words referring to the life of Jesus such as: meek, obedient, submissive, kind, and more. Here’s the thing though, I am convinced that lists like these indicate we as Christians often miss some of the most important expressions of humility. What’s worse, I believe we also attribute to humility some of the sneakiest expressions of pride.

The foundation of all God-honoring humility, and all knowledge and wisdom as well, is the fear of the Lord. Humility fundamentally is an ordering of one person underneath another. It is a word often used in a military context to describe the strict hierarchies of military discipline. For the wise, humility is ordering oneself under God – completely and permanently. This should produce for us a lifestyle that may be quite unexpected.

No good soldier humbled beneath his commanding officer will shrink before the enemy apologetically confessing his inadequacy to engage in combat. Rather, he will courageously engage his enemy in obedience to his orders and with confidence. Not a confidence in himself, but in his training and the resources provided. He will not stand on the hill of victory blushing at the success and promising everyone it was no big deal. He will shout for joy at what has been accomplished in the name of his commander.

This example is helpful for us in rethinking what a life of humility should look like. Moses was the most humble man on earth (Numbers 12:3), but God used him to lead an entire nation boldly. Our Savior, the greatest example of humility of all time, spoke as one with unheard-of authority (Luke 4:32; Mark 1:22) and braided a whip from time to time when necessary (John 2:15).

You cannot identify a humble person by their shyness. You cannot identify them by how they recoil from a compliment. A humble person is identified by their courageous obedience to the one over them. They are marked by a shameless commitment to the mission. Humble people are brazen.

So what are we to make of the great Committee of Cowering Christians? As I have been convicted, this is no demonstration of humility. It is the paralyzing effects of pride. Those who do not fear the Lord will either act with the insanity of thinking they are without accountability or will live in the fear of the opinions of the masses. On one hand is the narcissistic monster, on the other is the stereotypical “humble” Christian.

I believe that if God did a miraculous work of humbling our church it would be mistaken by some as an outbreak of pride. We would see such leadership, courage, boldness, joy, and determination, that it would boggle the contemporary evangelical mind. Over time, however, the fruit would be conclusive. The glory emanating from our church would find its way, down to the last amen, to the throne of heaven.

God desires to use such people and is constantly watchful for them.

Isaiah 66:1-2

 “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word."

Those who tremble at the word of God have no need to tremble before any word of man.