The Intersection of Spirituality, Psychology and Theology
The Intersection of Spirituality, Psychology and Theology
Step 7 of Life Recovery
Humility is vital when asking God to remove our defects of character. This movement from pride to humility is instantaneous for some, but often, this change occurred after an honest and thorough personal inventory and then contrary action until Christ has transformed us.
We must continue to ask Christ for daily help because of the pervasive sin nature that we all have. In those with addiction, codependency and trauma, the stakes are higher due to the complexity of our life problems.
All people on this side of heaven would benefit from consistent contrary action, which put simply means to do the opposite of what our sin nature tempts us to do. This demonstrates a willingness to go to any length to cooperate with God.
Step 7: Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.
What is a shortcoming?
- Any weakness that leads to sin.
- A flaw of character.
- An inability to meet the standard.
- for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)
What is humility?
- The absence of pride.
- Being comfortable with who you are.
- Thinking less about yourself and more about others.
- Humility resolves conflicts with wisdom and love.
- Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than you. (Philippians 2:3)
We need humility for three pertinent reasons.
- We have a sin problem that is the source of most of our problems.
- We do not have sufficient power to relieve our sin nature.
- God will provide the humble with the power to carry out His will.
- Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:5-8)
Humility is practiced by.
· Surrendering your own will to God daily.
· Accepting responsibility for your own actions.
· Thinking of the welfare of others.
· Serving the needs of others.
· Prioritizing character building before comfort.
· Recognizing your gifts are from God.
· I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
(2 Corinthians 12:11)