Christianity Oasis Forum

[Ivan]

I was always wondering where is border line between being humble and

normal self respect?

Many goes too high and many too low..is it hard to find where it is exactly?

If I go too proud on people things went wrong cos being too selfish if I go

below sometimes I feel like burning paper

Any comments?

GB

[Dora]

I've often wondered that myself. Even today.

[Mackenaw]

Hello Ozziah,

God bless you this day.

I can only answer by my own experience, and what helps me, and I share in hopes that it helps you too.

I'm humbled in the presence of God. It is because of who He is, that my very being bows to Him in awe. I can't replicate it anywhere else, because it is totally in response to Him.

In that state, I walk in love and in gentleness, and I am able to be meek -- like in an afterglow -- from being in the presence of The Lord. In meekness I'm able to grace other people -- to extend love and forgiveness -- to them.

But it wains, it slowly dissipates, until the next time I'm in His presence.

I know sometimes I stretch the memory of that anointing (virtue) further than the actual anointing power, and I'm only running on fumes. That is when I'm totally walking in obedience, but the feeling is not the same. I have to strain to extend grace to others. It's not the same though, and what I've found is that the enemy of our souls slips in there, unawares, and then suddenly my arrogance crops up, and the pit opens up and I fall -- eeeuuwwww, the falls -- they are gross and dark.

The answer for me...Don't be late in going into the holy of holies. There is nothing like an awesome dose of humility, hand fed to us by The Lord.

I'm reminded of a song by Kutless "Take me in"

God bless and keep you.
Love,
Mack

[Ivan]

Thank you ladies for your posts,appreciate it.

AS I can see we are humble as much as God wants us to be humble so what

is normal..or is there any "normal" value for it.

I am asking this cos I vary from arrogance mixed with anger sometimes

and some real nice patience with His love on other side in all that.

Maybe better question would be how to remain constant and balanced in His mercy.

Many people of God have this issue,like you both said...sometimes I think

that I am the only one with it..cos I am ashamed of it and don't like to

accept it as my failure..and that's lack of faith,cos if I would be really into

faith I won't be worry I am this or that,I would be happy to serve..

There is long way to the top

Thinking about my own self is so wordly..fear of being humiliated,what a

spiritual weakness...

Ty Jesus for knowing you.

GB

[Mackenaw]

Hello Ozziah,

Being ashamed of our sinful nature is a work of The Holy Spirit within us, but the enemy of our souls can also use it to convince us not to confess it.

Another tricky area is -- at least for me -- I despise the evil within me. This is also a work of The Holy Spirit, helping me to recognize quicker and then to repent quicker -- and that is a good thing. The problem is, I also despise those same evil traits in others, and oh boy, does the enemy of our souls prey on that. He thoroughly twists our emotional reactions to things, and if we are not careful, we'll start feeling hatred for those that have not yet been fully converted.

James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon; behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

In other words, REPENT!!! And pray, pray, pray for the other person(s).

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The Word of God tells us repeatedly that when sharing, teaching, and helping our brothers and sisters in Christ, we have to do so gently, because we ourselves can easily become a target of the enemy.

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

A spirit of meekness, is not weakness. When Jesus went to the cross, He did so in a spirit of meekness, NOT in a spirit of weakness. It was His choice and He was in control through the power of Almighty God working through Him.

Your question about maintaining a healthy level of self respect, well I, Mack -- a woman, see it this way:
God has ordained that men are responsible for the welfare of women. Like or not, men will be held accountable for the women that God places in their lives -- be it grandmothers, mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, cousins or nieces. His call. If you, as a man, are defending others, do so valiantly with God as your lead. If you are defending yourself, allow God to defend you.

Luke 12:11-12 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say. For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

Ozziah, you've presented us with an awesome topic to discuss. I hope others, men and women, will chime in here too.

God bless and keep you.
Love,
Mack