as paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “may i say something to you?” and he said, “do you know greek? are you not the egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the assassins out into the wilderness?” paul replied, “i am a jew, from tarsus in cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. i beg you, permit me to speak to the people.” and when he had given him permission, paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. and when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the hebrew language, [acts 21:37-40]
humiliation in the Spirit
true heart humility does not come through …
a book,
learning,
mentoring,
desire,
or
self-discipline.
true heart humility comes from a purifying work of the Spirit – under the mighty hand of God.
humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, [1 peter 5:6]
i would go one step further and say – true heart humility comes from being humiliated – brought low and exposed as a broken vessel in desperate need of a high and holy God who alone can redeem and restore us to his presence and for his purpose.
when we are brought low and redeemed by holy God – our fleshly pride and self-saving heart is exposed and humiliated. it cannot save or change one thing in our heart. and when holy God redeems us by his power and love — that humiliation then turns to joyful humility.
now – how does humility grow in a believer – like paul?
great question!
i believe it grows as we are exposed to more humiliation – that we allow to be engaged by the Spirit. that is — when we walk by the Spirit in humiliation — humility grows under the “mighty hand of God.” i believe he has ordered this humiliation – not random chance or evil men.
paul knew he was headed into suffering and persecution as he headed back to jerusalem…
and now, behold, i am going to jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. [acts 20:22-23]
he knew this humiliation was from God. and led by the Spirit, God used this to allow paul to walk humbly (and boldly) in this moment. and i believe, it grew his humility.
in this moment, he responds kindly …
“may i say something to you?”
he responds gently …
i beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”
and he responds in humility to the people who had just beaten him, wanting them to hear about Jesus …
paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. and when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the hebrew language,
true humility, grows — even in humiliation — in the believer submitted to the Spirit.
Lord, we believe – help our unbelief.
empower our submission to your Spirit!
empower our belief in your truth!
and grow your humility in us for your name’s sake!
in Jesus’ name we pray and live …
amen!
~ john ryan