When is humility the wrong option?

[Godlovesmetwo]

Survival in this life in not the top priority.

That is an interesting comment.
Try telling that to a person living in a 3rd world country or war-torn country for that matter. (apart from the Muslims who think they get automatic Heaven)

 

[Archie the Preacher]

So what does "meek" mean?

As mentioned, post #4 hits upon it and #5 is exactly correct. "Meek" does not equal "milksop".

Ok, I will try to think of some scenarios when humble might be the wrong option.

• When you are advocating for yourself or someone else. Complaining about poor customer service for instance.

• Yes, but only with the proviso one is not obnoxious or rude. Be specific about the problem and be as matter of fact as possible. Raging, turning red and waving one's arms is not 'positive'; it is obnoxious.

You are getting a "dressing down" from the boss. He is raising his voice and abusing you for poor performance. Do you just take it?

That would depend on if one actually delivered poor performance. As Peter said, getting a beating for an actual misdeed is only just desserts. (1st Peter 2:20; a trifle out of context, but carrying the same concept.)

A family member is talking to you on the phone without letting you get a word in. They seem to be uninterested in your input. Do you just let it ride?

Now you're getting personal.

Still, it depends. I have some relations who seem to think I'm dumber than dirt. That sort of attitude does wear thin, and quickly. However, I think it more in tune with God to merely not talk with them than to rant, rave and treat them in the same manner.

But I agree, living in God's image does not require me to roll over and take it.

 

[Archie the Preacher]

That is an interesting comment.
Try telling that to a person living in a 3rd world country or war-torn country for that matter. (apart from the Muslims who think they get automatic Heaven)

As a Christian, my primary responsibility is to honor God. Survival is a human quality (impulse?) and quite possibly altered - twisted - by the Fall.

We're not talking about non-Christians. Unless you somehow want to justify non-Christian values in a Christian by actions of non-Christians. What others - non-believers in Christ - do or do not do is not our direct concern regarding our behavior.

Paul, I'm not part of the Roman Catholic community; do they teach that sort of thing?

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

Paul, I'm not part of the Roman Catholic community; do they teach that sort of thing?

Don't know. Don't think so.

 

[Archie the Preacher]

Don't know. Don't think so.

Therefore it has to come from somewhere else; based on if you don't think they teach it, you probably didn't get it from there or them.

Any idea where that concept about third world people came from?

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Ok, I will try to think of some scenarios when humble might be the wrong option.

• When you are advocating for yourself or someone else. Complaining about poor customer service for instance.
• You are getting a "dressing down" from the boss. He is raising his voice and abusing you for poor performance. Do you just take it?
• A family member is talking to you on the phone without letting you get a word in. They seem to be uninterested in your input. Do you just let it ride?

In those situaitons Id meditate on "emptineess" (shunyata/voidness of ego). As in Buddhism. Im not saying thats the only way, but I am quite weak psychologically when it comes to self assertion, so its a good move for me. The upshoot would be no mtter how "bad" things got, I'd probably be totally relaxed and wearing a smug smile.

 

[Greg J.]

My short version of what Biblical humility is: Recognizing the truth. The longer version is, do you know who you are in your heart? You cannot throw a ball and guarantee where it will land (because you lose control after you let go), you can't know what you will have for breakfast tomorrow, because you might die between now and then. You do not have control over anything in your life. But God does and he loves you. The implication is: does your attitude and behavior reflect this? (See James 4:13-16)

My working definition of Biblical meekness is strength clothed with softness. This one I found online looks good, too:

Meekness is therefore an active and deliberate acceptance of undesirable circumstances that are wisely seen by the individual as only part of a larger picture. Meekness is not a resignation to fate, a passive and reluctant submission to events, for there is little virtue in such a response.*

*http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/meekness/

 

[Dave-W]

That is an interesting comment.
Try telling that to a person living in a 3rd world country or war-torn country for that matter. (apart from the Muslims who think they get automatic Heaven)

Mark 8:35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.