Humility, Showiness and Discipline
Follow-up points on humility from previous post (go read that first).
Abacus: Doesn’t being so conscious of our humility and conscious of our efforts to be modest undermine the supposed humility in it?
Bily: It is ironic isn’t it. I agree it would mostly seem so and be the case. Those who are so conscious of it are struggling with their humility in a battle with pride. But with that said, while acts do not constitute humility itself, I do much believe that the practice of humble acts develops a humble attitude, and a humble attitude is the shape of the spirit of humility.
Insofar as it is a matter of discipline it is somewat analogous to devos n tithing, it is not to be a chore: that is not the spirit of it. But the practice of it should develop our attitude to it. Discipline is crucial in spiritual formation.
Abacus: I think humility is something that just comes about as a natural response to what you see and what you learn? How can discipline help?
Bily: Mmm, response (action) is an integral manifestation of a spirit of humility as I see it. But response does not define humility, but humility defines response. The separate factor of discipline molds response to condition the spirit, and it is possible because discipline is itself not merely action. discipline can condition spirit because discipline itself arises from the spirit, as the will.
Abacus: Are you saying humility is one kind of discipline?
Bily: No. I see it as a spirit of humility. I definitely do not see humility as a discipline.
Abacus: What is the root of humility then? Where does it start? Some people have a humble spirit by nature; some are just cocky by nature; and the majority are in between. So for those who are in between, what prompts a spirit of humility? do you think its internal or external? A humble spirit is not simply expression is it?
Bily: Let me put it another way. Humility is primarily internal (spirit), but has as a natural extension an external (action). Comparable to faith. Faith is internal; deeds external. But faith without deeds is dead.
Abacus: If deeds follow faith, then the expression of modesty follows a spirit of humility. How does a disciplined practice of modesty or something of the sort help then?
Bily: Because discipline has, just like humility and faith, an internal (the will) and an external (the practice). The external practice of discipline arises from the internal will. One reinforces the other. Something internal (will in discipline) can affect something else internal (spirit of humility) to an extent. Putting on a showy front of modesty when there is actually inner pride does nothing to develop humility. But exercising restraint in modesty out of a willful discipline and desire for humility I believe can help develop humility.
August 24th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
i always thought humility was seeing yourself as God sees you. So with a perspective of God and His grace and mercy for us it is hard to be too arrogant. But discipline is definitely necessary to see things as God sees them because it requires active restraint of the will at times, the so called dying to one’s self. Nowdays I don’t think too much about humility so I don’t know. These are simply my initial thoughts.