The Holy Habit of Harvesting Humility
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3 (KJV)
Harvesting is defined as the process of gathering a supply of something that has reached maturity and is then stored. Another word for maturity is complete. I submit to you that evidence of a growing Christian is his or her capacity to harvest humility.
At first glance the concept of harvesting humility seems to give the impression that I am encouraging a selfish orientation. On the contrary, I endeavor to emphasize the essentiality of this practice that invites the power of God in our lives. Our good God has granted us a gracious invitation to gather in his garden and harvest the heavenly crop of humility. Because its Source is divine, it will never be depleted.
Our God embraces and acknowledges a soul that has silenced the voice of self-sufficiency. I believe that a humble heart has a soul that has substantially secured a sense of one’s severe spiritual deficiency. In addition I believe that humility is the outward expression of a heart that has the reality of heaven.
Now consider with me the following point: No humility, No heaven. Remember God resists the proud in heart but He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). When we seriously saturate our hearts with submission to God's Spirit and Truth, it provides optimal conditions for growth in the soil of our souls. Subsequently the seeds of humility will thrive and flourish as opposed to the seeds of conceit and pride.
In contrast, a lack of humility will lead to spiritual heart failure. The prideful heart is dominated by demented directives. It produces a heart that is spiritually affected with arteries that are permeated with the plaque of personal pride. Pride that is not purged and eliminated invites permanent punishment from God. It is indeed an E.G.O. problem where pride “EDGESGOD OUT" of your life.
"The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts." Psalm 10:4 (KJV)
Pride will always resemble the three-headed monstrosity (Flesh, World and Satan) that seeks to mangle us in his mouth. The seeds of humility will never flourish in a hostile environment in our hearts. Listen to the Lord’s word which gives the perfect and infallible assessment of the human heart condition.
"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. " Mark 7:21-23 (KJV)
The assessment of the human heart or condition did not come from mental health clinicians, psychologists, their boards or organizations like the American Psychological Association. It did not come from malevolent and misguided magistrates that are moved by the enemy. Nor was it assessed by liberal clergymen and religious leaders that hold the Word of God in contempt. These types of men profess themselves to be wise but they are indeed fools and are sold out on a profession of profiteering from the flock that the Lord bought with His own blood. No, this absolute and superior assessment came from the Lord Almighty.
Men and women of faith, the Father will always reject the prideful but he eagerly embraces the humble. He rewards the pride in heart with the wrath that the insolent invited because of their irreverence. But HE lavishly pours out an exhaustible resource for grace for the humble.
“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” 1 Peter 5:5-6 (KJV)
Not only should we gather humility but we also must be dressed in the garment of humility. By this we will experience the Mighty Hand of Heaven in our lives as opposed to the meager hand of man. Humility takes hold to what I deem as the rule of undiminishing return. The more humility you have the more grace and goodness will abound in your life.
"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, ‘God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.’" James 4:6 (KJV)
In Philippians 2:3, Paul refers to this anointed attitude as "lowliness of mind." This heavenly attitude affords us the ability to acknowledge, exalt and endorse others as opposed to ourselves. This is what harvesting humility looks like. Paul went on to write that we should enjoy the same mindset that the Lord Jesus exemplified. We must trace His steps and trace His thoughts in order to gather humility. Let's embrace the Master of humility’s example.
"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2:6-8 (KJV)
When we practice the holy habit of harvesting humility, we gather and store up the power of heaven in our hearts. When we pursue the path of pride we engage in the power of hell. Question: Are you practicing and parking in pride or are you gleaning the grace of humility?
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR