Humility Is Knowing What You Don't Know

[Richard]

Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his countenance is changed.
Ecclesiastes 8:1

Throughout the Bible, we are warned against being wise in our own eyes. Solomon says that a wise man has a shining face, a glowing countenance. A wise man knows some things and some things he doesn’t. But “the sternness of his face is changed” because he is not uptight about what he doesn’t know. He is wise, and his wisdom makes him humble.

In 1 Corinthians 8:2, Paul wrote, “And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.” Knowledge is a never-ending pursuit, an exercise in humility as we discover what we don’t know. Two decades ago researchers told us that the world’s knowledge changed every 38 years. That is, the knowledge you could acquire in 38 years was equal to all the knowledge that existed before. Today the knowledge of the world changes every single year! Today, more knowledge is accumulated in one year than in all the years that have ever been. And it will keep growing every year.

My grandchildren understand modern electrical gadgets better than I do because they have grown up with them. Knowledge is exploding—and it’s getting harder and harder to keep up. It is a wise and humble man who knows what he doesn’t know, what he can’t know, and what he doesn’t need to know—because you can’t know it all. Anyone who thinks he “knows it all” is already suffering from pride.

 

[jeremiah1five]

Humility is knowing what you do know and still remaining humble.

 

[Horatius]

Oh if you only knew. Counterfeit, or phony, humility Is the worst.

Even though these two concepts are virtually synonymous, I feel it is good to separate them because the Bible is very specific on the meaning of “false humility.” In fact, false humility only appears in one chapter of Bible—Colossians 2, where it comes up twice:

Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility Col. 2:18

These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body Col. 2:23

These two references to false humility are five verses apart. What is between the two of them? Four verses on legalism. In other words, the biblical definition of false humility is “legalism.” Here is a part of the text:

Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—“do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? Col. 2:20–22

 

[Believe]

Oh if you only knew. Counterfeit, or phony, humility Is the worst.

Even though these two concepts are virtually synonymous, I feel it is good to separate them because the Bible is very specific on the meaning of “false humility.” In fact, false humility only appears in one chapter of Bible—Colossians 2, where it comes up twice:

Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility Col. 2:18

These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body Col. 2:23

These two references to false humility are five verses apart. What is between the two of them? Four verses on legalism. In other words, the biblical definition of false humility is “legalism.” Here is a part of the text:

Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—“do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? Col. 2:20–22

Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
PSALM 40:4

The proud are not trustworthy. They don’t trust and they can’t be trusted. They’re self-contained in their own little controlling world. Their motives are suspect. It’s all about their agenda and their priorities. There’s a sense of urgency around what they deem important. Their only regard for others is to use them to accomplish their own end. Pride may give lip service to the Lord, but they trust in themselves. They even invoke the Lord’s name, but mostly in vain.

So stay away from the influence of the proud lest you become like them. Keep your distance from those whose heart is hollow of humility. The proud may be attractive because of their accomplishments, but even the devil can get things done. Models worth following are those who are quick to give God the glory for their family and work success. They bow humbly before God’s throne of grace and offer Him the fruits of their labor by faith. Trust the humble in heart.

“All those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:14).

Be especially wary of those who portray an air of humility but mask a proud heart underneath. This may be the most hideous sin because it’s unseen to the naive and naked eye. False humility wants you to believe what isn’t true. False humility smiles when it isn’t really happy. False humility serves, but only out of fear of the object of its service. False humility acts nice, but all the while resentment builds. False humility is pride in disguise. It’s the worst kind of pride.

Deal daily with pride in your own heart and mind. Trusting God means not trusting in yourself. It’s all about Him and His game plan. Success makes you think you’re something. When you’re tempted to that, run from taking credit for results. Humbly listen to the great thoughts of thinking people.

God’s way is the best way. Tap into His truth. Trust Him with people and circumstances. Wait on the Lord; His way will prevail by prayer and patience. The humble hone in on heaven’s agenda!


Psalms: A 90-Day Devotional