“You must therefore conceal from the patient the true end of Humility. Let him think of it not as self-forgetfulness but as a certain kind of opinion (namely, a low opinion) of his own talents and character.”
-Screwtape
Excerpt From
The Screwtape Letters
C. S. Lewis
Indeed. There is a malaise of false humility within Western culture, especially in the United States and specifically within many Christian Churches. Strangely enough humility can present as both bravado and wretchedness. Furthermore, we appear to be incapable of recognizing character defects within ourselves without revelation from God and feedback from our neighbors; therefore, our lone attempts at ‘going in the opposite direction’ by crawling into a hole of self-flagellation turns out to be as prideful as righteous indignation from the pulpit. To compound the dilemma, we have also been seduced to believe that pride is actually a valuable trait in a President, a teacher, a minister.....
In would seem the only way to address this damning problem is prayer and a willingness to receive feedback from trusted friends. Loving your neighbor creates relationships, which foster honesty, which leads to candid, kind, and accurate feedback.
1. What is your understanding of the difference between humility and false humility?
2. Is pride a permissible character trait in a leader? Valuable trait?
3. Can we talk about our struggles and successes without being prideful?
-Screwtape
Excerpt From
The Screwtape Letters
C. S. Lewis
Indeed. There is a malaise of false humility within Western culture, especially in the United States and specifically within many Christian Churches. Strangely enough humility can present as both bravado and wretchedness. Furthermore, we appear to be incapable of recognizing character defects within ourselves without revelation from God and feedback from our neighbors; therefore, our lone attempts at ‘going in the opposite direction’ by crawling into a hole of self-flagellation turns out to be as prideful as righteous indignation from the pulpit. To compound the dilemma, we have also been seduced to believe that pride is actually a valuable trait in a President, a teacher, a minister.....
In would seem the only way to address this damning problem is prayer and a willingness to receive feedback from trusted friends. Loving your neighbor creates relationships, which foster honesty, which leads to candid, kind, and accurate feedback.
1. What is your understanding of the difference between humility and false humility?
2. Is pride a permissible character trait in a leader? Valuable trait?
3. Can we talk about our struggles and successes without being prideful?
