Introductory Thoughts
Though despicable in the eyes of God, humility can be feigned or faked. Colossians 2:18 touches on this principle. The saints were admonished against demonstrating a “voluntary humility” while being “vainly puffed up” by their fleshly minds. Humility and being “puffed up” are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Yet, these believers pretended to be humble, while they were, in reality, puffed up. Colossians 2:23 reveals a second clear proof that humility can be false. Here the Bible speaks of things having “a shew” of “humility.” In other words, people can “shew” humility while being overtaken with pride. False humility can sometimes convince and satisfy others, but rest assured that God clearly knows the difference.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Picking up trash around your yard or at church is never a pleasant job. Are you willing to pick it up when no one is around to see, or do you only do it when someone is watching? God wants us to be willing to do things for Him when only He is watching.
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(For everyone): Can you think of any instance where someone seemed to show humility but was obviously filled with pride? Is God ever fooled by someone trying to deceive others with their feigned humility? Does the individuals shew please the Lord?
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What is really going on within your heart? Are you full of pride or do you try to stay humble by giving God the glory? You cannot be both prideful and humble simultaneously. Do you make a shew of humility, knowing that it is feigned? What will you do to seek true humility?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to help you to be real with Him and with others.
- Ask God to give you a genuine humility that pleases Him.
Song
All That I Was
