Sifting the Flavors of God - Part 1
Humility
Recently my mentor Dr. Pitman, went home to be with the Lord. He said something I will never forget and want to share with you: "What the righteousness of God demands, the justice of God executes." He was talking about blessings and discipline. In the light of blessings, we we talking about who God is, and why He wants us to be like Him in order to execute His blessing on us.
Pondering: Is humility cultivated through God's grace or do we develop it? Unless God blesses us with humility, it doesn't come naturally for most of us. So if that is true, then how does a non-humble woman become humble? Are you an extrovert or an introvert? Neither of these characteristic are necessarily humble. However, a desire for Gods' truth is in the attitude; doing whatever it cost to find answers whether we are out-going or shy. Are you willing to pay whatever it costs to know God's truth and character. . . no matter what?
Coaching: By God's grace, the Holy Spirit shapes the character traits of meekness, gentleness, and humility in the human soul. However, the key to obtaining godly character is through a willingness to be fashioned for God's purpose and in His likeness.
The beautiful soul of a God-controlled woman finds the best, noble, and most worthy qualities in others. To be humble means seeing roses among the thorns, rather than thorns among the roses. It is no different than seeing your glass half-full, rather than half-empty. It is all in the attitude.
The Greek word for humility means "gentleness". We can have immense intellectual or biblical knowledge, leadership, while serving God in great ways. However, if we don't reach the place where humility marks our responses toward others, we need to get down on our knees and talk it over with Him. It might be a good idea to stay on our knees until we can elevate the potential in others over their shortcomings.
"No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it away in a cellar nor under a basket, but on the lamp stand, so that those who enter may see the light. The eye is the lamp of you body; when you eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness" (Luke 11: 33-34 NASB).
These verses in Luke describe the wisdom of a balanced understanding of spiritual truths so our lights will shine for Jesus. The health, wisdom, and power of our understanding depend on obtaining the right attitudes toward hearing and sifting God's Word while releasing the spiritual flavors. Studying His Word is no less than a scientist separating particles to examine them carefully for evidence.
The Greek term (praotes) means "gentleness or meekness and expresses a spirit of willingness, obedience, and lack of resistance to God in dealing with us". Jesus is referring to Himself in (Luke 11) as light and life. The eye of a woman who receives light cannot help but absorb that light herself and reflect it others. Darkness can influence us profoundly, yet the light of Christ depends on the power and accuracy of our spiritual eyes.
God's Character in Us:
- Humility is focuses first toward God (Matthew 11:29; James 1:21).
- Humility is honoring others above ourselves (Romans 12:10; Proverbs 15:33).
- Humility is freedom from vanity, not self-depreciation.
- Humility is a command of God and essential to discipleship (Matthew 18:3-4; Psalm 25:9; Colossians 3:12; James 4:6, 10).
- Humility is (this is the hard part) love toward those who hurt us, so their sin might be used by God for our benefit (Acts 20:18-21).
If our spiritual eye distorts Gods truth, it betrays us. Spiritual perception influences our soul in a healthy way through prayer and sifting the Word of God. To know the Author is to discern His Word. To perceive His Word is to know the Author. Look at God. Is He good or evil? Our eye sees God properly if our perception is sifted through the Word with humility.
"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love" (Ephesians 4:1-2 NASB; Colossians 3:12-13; Romans 12:3).
Challenge: In the face of difficulties, we are prone to think our load is to heavy, our road more difficult, and our enemies to strong. That is Satan's deception. What keeps you from falling to your knees? Ask God to reveal how you can serve Him humbly. Humility is in the eye of the seeker who sifts God's Word. How is your vision? Do you see a hurting husband or friend beyond the angry responses that come so easily? Do you see the difficulty someone is enduring as the reason for her negative attitude?
Humility is not acting humble it is being humble-of-spirit and that, in turn, enables us to see the hurt in others through the eyes of light. How do others perceive you? Only you can answer that question... my job is to inspire you to think about it, will you think about it? Are you sifting Gods' Word reducing it down to the last drop of pure flavor? It is a choice only you can make, time is passing, what will you do? Are you interested in looking deeper into Gods' Word to become humble-of-spirit, like Jesus? Are you ready to sift the flavor of God?
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