Hovering over the first part of Philippians 2 this morning. Noodling on the One who existed in the form of God but did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped. The One who emptied Himself, taking on the likeness of humanity and the essence of a servant. The One who humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross. The One who lowered Himself so that the Father might exalt Him (2:6-11).

Meditate on those verses, and they are a source of awe and wonder. But consider them also in their context and they are to be received as a sobering example. For they describe an attitude to be desired and adopted by the follower of Christ (2:5). And at the heart of such an attitude is humility.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.

(Philippians 2:3-4 CSB)

In humility . . .

That’s the operative mindset of the attitude of Christ, humility.

But defining humility can be somewhat evasive. Spelling out exactly what is humility can be a bit of challenge (and, as some have pointed out, whatever you think it is, when you think you have it, at that moment you are in danger of losing it).

Paul would seem to indicate it’s the opposite of “selfish ambition or conceit.” Webster’s kind of in line with that as he defines humility as “freedom from pride or arrogance.” Oxford renders it, “a modest or low view of one’s own importance.” My Greek lexicon breaks it down as: “1) having a humble opinion of one’s self; 2) a deep sense of one’s (moral) littleness; 3) modesty or lowliness of mind.” Perhaps one of the most famous non-technical definitions is the one given us by C.S. Lewis: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”

But as I chew on these verses this morning, it hits me that the Spirit may want me to recognize that humility is less something to be defined and more something to be displayed.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look . . . to the interests of others.

(Philippians 2:3-4 CSB)

Consider others as more important. Look to the interest of others. While I may not know exactly how to explain humility, scriptures are pretty clear on how to recognize it. While I may not be satisfied fully with what it sounds like as defined, it’s pretty clear as to what it looks like when it’s displayed.

I don’t need to make a big deal about going to the back of the line, I just need to let people in in front of me. I don’t need to stop having desires and wants, I just need to count other’s desires and wants as greater than mine. If I let others increase, then by default I’m gonna decrease. Isn’t that why Jesus said the way of the kingdom is to be a servant of all (Mk. 9:35)? I’m thinkin’ . . .

The mind of Christ will be at work in me when, by the sanctifying work and power of the Spirit, the actions of Christ are coming out of me.

So, maybe I fret less about defining humility and ask that the Spirit’s Christ-imaging work in me would lead me to consider others more important than myself, look out for their interests above my own, thus displaying humility.

‘Cause you know it when you see it.

True?

By His grace. For His glory.