Day 24: Why False Humility Will Rob You of God’s Best

False humility is a deceptive kind of pride; It’s not as obvious. Let’s break down what it means and why false humility will rob you of God’s best. From the 40 Days of Daily Bread Series.

There are three types of pride. Today we will talk about the third kind: false humility.

The subject of false humility is one that isn’t easy to explain. It’s full of nuances, and what it really boils down to is what’s in your heart. 

It’s using words to manipulate others into believing that I’m walking in humility—when it’s simply a lie.

Humility grows out of strength. Pride grows out of weakness.  

– Life’s Little Handbook of Wisdom

What Is False Humility?

False humility is a deceptive kind of pride; It’s not as obvious. Let’s break down what false humility is by beginning with what humility means:

• the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one’s own importance, rank, etc.

So humility is not to think less of one’s self but to think of one’s self less. And the truth of that helps us to see things clearly.  

False humility is pride, but it’s not as easy to spot. Basically, it’s when you discredit yourself, making you appear humble. For example, I sing on our church worship team, and I will often receive compliments. The times when I said, “Oh, no, it wasn’t that great” I cringed inside. I knew it wasn’t truly how I felt. It was a false humility coming out of my mouth.

On the other hand, when I said, “Thank you for the compliment! I love leading people into God’s presence!” there hasn’t been that little check in my spirit letting me know I was wrong.

While I’m not perfect in it, decades of experience has provided continual improvement. At this point, I recognize that I have grown enough in my gifting, and that it’s okay to say thank you and move on.

Some other examples of false humility are:

• fishing for compliments
• deflecting praise
• self-deprecating jokes

False Humility Before God

Have you ever come into God’s presence and then started feeling inadequate? You start to think, I am not worthy to be in your presence, Lord. That might be a focus on self.

If God convicts you of something while you are in His presence, then repent, but don’t let the devil dupe you into a pity-party. It’s time to focus on the Lord and worship Him.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Apply the Word

This section is to help us respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 ESV

If you are willing, God is able. Sometimes after you hear something your emotions can be overwhelmingly loud. Stop. Listen to the Holy Spirit.

• If you notice false humility in yourself, write down what happened and who said what. Take it to God in prayer. You can learn from these experiences. 
• Boast in the Lord. My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice. Psalm 34:2 NASB
• Pray the verses from this post over yourself and write them or their locations in your journal.

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 ESV

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15 ESV

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 ESV

False humility robs you of God’s best because you’re living a lie. God’s best for you is true humility.

How has the devil been cheating you of walking in the confidence of God?