Living Hope Church - A Free Methodist Congregation in Eugene, OR.

Humility in a Culture of Self-promotion

In a world that is all about self promotion and getting our 15 minutes of fame, I found Jeremy Taylor’s (1613-1667) principles for humility both refreshing and practical. I paraphrased a few of them but here they are.
1. Do not think better of yourself because of an outward circumstance that happens to you. (Wealth, promotion, fame, etc.)
2. Humility consists in a realistic opinion of yourself, not self-deprecation.
3. When you hold a realistic view of yourself, be content that others see you the same way.
4. Nurture a love to do good things in secret.
5. Never be ashamed of the lowly status of your birth, parents, occupation, or present employment.
6. Never say anything, directly or indirectly to illicit a compliment or praise.
7. When you receive praise, take it indifferently and return it to God.
8. Make a good name for yourself by being a person of virtue and humility.
9. Rejoice in God who gives the gifts others see in you, not in the praise of people who see those gifts.
10. Don’t ask others your faults with the intention or purpose of receiving praise for your good qualities.
11. When you are slighted or undervalued by other others, don’t harbor secret anger towards them.
12. Don’t fantasize about being powerful, rich, popular, or famous.
13. Actively praise others.
14. Be content when you see or hear that others are doing well, even if you are not.
15. Never compare yourself with others, unless it is to advance your impression of them while lowering your impression of yourself.
16. Don’t try to excuse all of your mistakes.
17. Give God thanks for every weakness, fault, and imperfection that you have as a way to keep you from becoming prideful.
18. Do not expose others weaknesses in order to put them down and exalt yourself.
19. Submit all that you are and have to God.