Monday, May 18, 2009

Flattery

What is the humble way to receive a compliment? Do we reject the compliment? Do we insist the compliment is undeserved? How do we receive it without being prideful? We may think that accepting the compliment is conceit and the only humble response is to dismiss it. We think that way because we have wrongly defined humility as self-denial. Humility is unselfishness, not self repudiation. A compliment can be accepted with gracious appreciation free of self-admiration. It can be opportunity to encourage or discourage the kind flatterer. Which is the most humble reaction to applause and the most loving? “Stop it, give your approval to someone else, your estimation of me is incorrect.” Or, “You are so kind to award me with your approval, you are very sweet to do so.” The second response rewards the person for kindness. The first response discredits the person’s observations. Humility doesn’t solicit attention and praise, but also doesn’t imagine self as lacking noteworthy abilities or character. Our comeback to kudos will convey a spirit of humility by a gentle and courteous answer. Thank you is never out of order for the humble.

Monday, May 4, 2009

High Humility

If we can’t take pride in our accomplishments, what is the payoff? Does remaining humble when we achieve, reduce the benefit of the achievement and consequently lower our motivation for future success? The answer to both of these questions depends on the reasons for our efforts. Do we work and perform only so we can gloat and brag? Do we set the bar high just so that we have reason to think more highly of ourselves and can inflate our egos? Surely there are better reasons to set goals and climb ladders. If our only profit in prosperity is personal pride, then our only hope for humility is failure. If the purpose of our aspirations is for God’s glory and to serve others, then every victory is celebrated without selfish thought. We can excel and exceed without conceit. We can be humble on the top of the ladder. Humility is the enemy of pride, not the enemy of winning. We are to be on guard against arrogance, not in fear of first place. Humility is opposed to self-centeredness, not to successfulness.