Article May 27, 1967 Issue

The Positive Force of Humility

DELBERT D. GILLETTE

Many people have the mistaken notion that humility is weakness, that the humble man is somehow less a man than his boastful neighbor. Indeed, one dictionary not only defines "humble" as "not proud or haughty" but says that it "may also imply undue self-depreciation. Neither the Bible nor Christian Science agrees with this implication. The importance of humility to the student of Christian Science is shown by Mrs. Eddy's statement, "Experience shows that humility is the first step in Christian Science."^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 354;}

There is a positive force to humility that is never recognized by those who equate a humble status with failure or weakness. Some of the world's greatest men have been truly humble, whereas littleness of character accompanies arrogance, wherever found. That greatest of all men, Christ Jesus, was also the most humble. He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise."^{John 5:19;} Therein lies the positive power of humility.

Christian Science teaches that man, far from being a sinning mortal with big or little ideas of his own importance, is the image of God, the perfect reflection of infinite Principle. A clear understanding of this relationship of man to God is fundamental to demonstrating this Science. Christ Jesus' life of humility and power best exemplified the true reflection of God and set a pattern for all to follow. And follow we can if we realize the importance of getting our material sense of self out of the way so that our true spiritual selfhood, the perfect reflection of divine Mind, can be seen and expressed in thought and action.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

The Positive Force of Humility

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access