Define Humility?

Answer 1

Dear Mibandibe: Jesus is my chosen Teacher and I will attempt to put into words here what He has taught me in my lessons:

Humility need not, necessarily, be lowliness ( as spoken of in regard to one's station in life). A lowly attitude CAN be a part of "feeling less than others." Let's go deeper. Humility is activated in the human Intellect when it has been shown and has learned that it should turn to Jesus and the Holy Spirit for Guidance and Comforting - for inspired Thought, and recognize where it's intuitive feelings emanate from. This, He taught me, is because we eventually learn that of ourselves we cannot Know what is occurring inside another ; but the Holy Spirit and Jesus do Know. We cannot understand ALL aspects of any situation ; but, They Know. We cannot plan for a future that may arrive looking quite different from what we had anticipated and, therefore, our well-layed plans are valueless; but, The Holy Spirit and Jesus Know what our future conditions will appear like and Know how to position us, accordingly. Humility is understanding MORE than the fact that there may be a greater Power or Force than ourselves ; it's a "surrender" to that Powerful Knowledge that is made available to us. It's knowing, then, where our successes come from. One of the most difficult aspects anyone has in truly "surrendering" themselves to Jesus and the Holy Spirit is that the human Intellect dislikes the IDEA that it is not capable of making good, rational, and proper decisions, and the idea that it needs Guidance - on a regular basis. The human "ego" wrestles with the word "surrender" and finds it somewhat personally insulting to itself !

In this context, it is understandable that the human "ego" finds self-esteem in making it's OWN decisions ; it identifies with it's comparative successes in life - pulling it's self-esteem from them.

Those who have reached "surrender" have learned that in our human-ness we do not Know what the Holy Spirit and Jesus Know. We cannot foresee all the aspects of a future that has not yet arrived - as They can. In the surrender to Their higher Knowing and Guidance we find They are willing to make us successful on every conceivable level of human endeavour. Not only Knowledgeable about our Creator, and reinstated into Grace, but a successful business person as well ! They teach us how to become a "substantial" person - one without exaggerations in their speech, one of honesty, one with tactfulness in speaking with others. One of sensitivity and a fair degree of selflessness. They enter into every vital aspect of our lives. So, this means that well-to-do people may be filled with humility. Well dressed, well groomed people may be filled with humility , as possibly a person of "lowly" status is - or isn't (necessarily) ! The human "ego" or Intellect is sublimated by something that stands in greater Knowledge ; the ego redirects itself toward True Knowledge.

If someone stands in a position of modest or even "lowly" circumstances and feels they cannot stand as tall as some others - because of their position - their "meekness in attitude" due to lack of self esteem does NOT actually denote humility. (Meekness should come from a lack of Self Interest ! ) They may APPEAR humble by their position - BUT, if someone in meagre circumstances feels EQUAL with those of higher means (in a quiet, substantial manner) that is when they are defining the word humility ; for if they are in a surrendered relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit they, too, should have everything they need ! (Example: Mother Teresa lived lowly, but was equal to all.) Humility is knowing how to look at the physical, material world with a certain detachment (while enjoying it) and having that attitude IF you have abundance - or not.

More capsulized : If you have everything you require, you realize you gained what you have through your "surrender" to a higher Power. You did nothing purely of yourself. This is true humility.

I've really enjoyed sharing this with you.

Best regards, Lana

Answer 2

Humility is a quality or characteristic ascribed to a person who is considered to be humble. A humble person is generally thought to be unpretentious and modest: someone who does not think that he or she is better or more important than others. The concept of humility in various religions is often much more precise and extensive. Humility is not to be confused with humiliation, which is the act of making someone else feel ashamed, and is something completely different.

Answer 3

Humility isn't hating your self, or laying down and allowing others to stroll throughout you. Humility isn't wondering extra quite of your self than you should, and also figuring out that God is God, and we are not.

Answer 4

Modest; humble;

In Catholicism it refers to lowliness and submissivenes.
(From the Catholic Encyclopedia)

Answer 5

Thinking of yourself as less compared to others and especially God... wanting to be less, wanting to be unnoticed only in Gods eyes, wanting to be unnoticed for the good you do.

Answer 6

Knowing the ego can do nothing to save it's self, as it is invented.

Answer 7

Seeing oneself as the lowest servant among all humanity.

Answer 8

Deferring praise and notoriety.