FALSE HUMILITY

“False humility…” (Colossians 2:23, NIV).

Humility is one of those virtues that are very elusive and difficult to cultivate in one’s life. It is very elusive when we most think we are humble, we are not, and when we least think we are humble, we actually are. It is in human nature to put forward our best face to the world. We like to pretend and try to convince people we are humble, when we are not. This is false humility when we claim to have this virtue we do not practice. False humility is nothing more than pride masquerading as humility. Some commentators say humility is “being forgetful of oneself,” still others say humility is “putting others before yourself.” Perhaps Fred Smith is correct when he said the best definition he ever heard was this: "Humility is not denying the power you have but admitting that the power comes through you and not from you."  I believe Paul states it best in these words: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Phil. 2:3, ESV). 

Below is a diagram on "True Humility," "False Humility," and "Pride." Trust this diagram will shed a bit of light on the subject at hand: