The secular definition of humility is "to give a lower condition or station to; abase (synonyms: degrade.)" In essence, this is lowering a person's standards, or doing something that no one wants to do, simply for the sake of lowering yourself.

The Christian definition is not as simple as doing something degrading. In fact it is nothing like that at all.

The Christian meaning of humility is to have a servant's heart, to do everything in love. This does not mean doing things you hate to do, or living poor. It means being who God wants you to be.

Humility is acting in love, and without love, being humble is not more than degrading yourself, and means nothing. 1 Cor. 13:3 says, "If I give all my goods to the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it is of no profit to me." So even if you degrade yourself to death, it means nothing because it was not done in love.

1 Cor. 13: 5,6 says, "love has no envy, love has no high opinion of itself, love has no pride. Love's ways are ever fair, love takes no thought for itself; love is not quickly made angry, love takes no account of evil; love takes no pleasure in wrongdoing, but has joy in what is true" Secular humility is not true humility, because it lacks love, and love is not self seeking or boastful, but has joy.

Christian humility brings joy, not misery. Ps 22:4 says "True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life." The true humble person isn't thinking about themselves or humbleness, but are thinking about others. They simply do God's will happily because it helps and brings joy to God and His people.

Humble people are the happiest people because they do all things in love without worrying about themselves or how hard or easy a task may be. They may have money or a nice house, or nothing at all, but they know that things don't matter. They know that God, creator of the universe is their God, and they are his creation. They know that His love made us to be who we are, and we worship him through everything we do; work, play sleep; or eat. Humility is letting God use you to do His work to bring love and joy to others.

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