A couple of weeks ago I finished reading C.J. Mahaney’s Humility: True Greatness. I’ve been thinking about reviewing it but I wasn’t sure how to share about how this little book addresses the big problem of pride. It is simple and easy-to-read but is addresses well the deep sickness of sin in our hearts and presents God’s desire for us to be humble before Him. This book is convicting and encouraging, meditative and practical. Time spent reading this book would be edifying and worthwhile for anyone.

“This is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at My word.”
Isaiah 66:2

I agree with C.J’s description of this verse–”astonishing.” How amazing that God, the Creator of the universe will look upon fallen and sinful people. This verse is also sobering because God does oppose the proud (James 4:6) and they are an abomination to Him (Proverbs 16:5). He writes, “Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him.” (p. 31) and “Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness.” (p. 22). This is why we need to be in the habit of studying and obeying His Word. When we are lowly and humble we can see more clearly how great and deserving He is.

C.J. does a good job in warning his readers to heed conviction of sin and to be sensitive to weak areas where we are prone to pride. My favorite part of this book was where he gave advice on some habits that would beneficial in the quest to winning over pride in our lives. These two really encouraged me to work on them daily in my own battle against pride and striving for humility.

Begin Your Day Acknowledging Your Need For God.

In this section he wrote about how the sin of pride is active. When we allow ourselves to be undisciplined for just a moment, it can creep in and taint our thoughts. He quotes Martin Lloyd-Jones who wrote, “Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?” C.J. reflects on this profound statement:

Most of us spend more time listening to lies than we do speaking the truth to ourselves. And the listening process usually starts as soon as we get up. The alarm has rudely interrupted the gift of sleep, and the listening begins. As we stumble through our morning routine,we’re not directing our thoughts in our mind–we’re simply at their mercy. We’re not in charge of our thinking. We’re just there.

But instead, you can declare war on pride by speaking the truth to yourself and set the right tone for your day by mentally affirming your dependence on God and your need for Him.
p. 69-70

Identifying Evidences of Grace.

C.J. explained why identifying evidence of God’s grace in other’s lives will help cultivate humility in my own heart–”This means actively looking for ways that God is at work in the lives of other people.” He encouraged the reader to become very familiar with the lists of fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, gifts of the Spirit in Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 and to then be on the lookout for the Spirit’s working in other’s lives so that we can become more aware of what God is doing around us and not proudly focus on ourselves.

Throughout the book, C.J. presents a beautiful image of humility as being void of anger or bitterness, being God-centered and a servant to others. He helped me remember that pride can be blind and so I need to be open to hear correction from others, especially in areas where I am possibly blinded by pride in my own heart. This book gave me a whole new perspective on the seriousness of pride and the decay it promotes in my heart and life. I am thankful that by God’s grace, He will continue to change me to be lowly and tremble at His Word.