Recently I've began to read Bernard of Clairvaux and his thoughts are fascinating. Truly a man of God and you can tell because he quotes scriputre in some form almost every other sentence. At the beginning he puts a list of things that distinguish pride from humility. It was pretty good for me to dwell a bit on pride. I figured I'd post it, think about it, dwell on it, I found it helpful.
The Steps of Humility and Pride.
Pride
1. Curiosity about what is not one's proper concern.
2. Light-mindedness chatter and exclamation about things which do not matter.
3. Laughing about nothing. Foolish merriment.
4. Boasting and talking too much.
5. Trying to be different claiming special rights.
6. Thinking oneself holier than others.
7. Interfering presumptuously with the affairs of others,
8. Self-justification. Defending one's sinful actions.
9. Insincere confesson.
10. Rebelling against superiors
11. Feeling free to sin.
12. Habitually sinning.
Humility
12. Containment of ones interest which shows itself in a humble bearing and a lowered eyes.
11. Quiet and restrained speech.
10. Reluctance to laugh.
9. Keeping silent unless asked to speak.
8. Regarding oneself as having no special rights in the community.
7. Thinking oneself less holy than others.
6. Thinking oneself unworthy to take initiative.
5. Confessing one's sins.
4. Patience in face of accusation.
3. Submission to superiors.
2. Desiring no freedom to exercise one's will.
1. Constant Watchfulness againts sin.
good. that is really helpful. i am not sure i would agree with the reluctance to laugh under humility except to things that are not funny, of a serious manner, or sinful. but if that is what is meant by that point then i agree completely. I also have been meaning to ask you, and my mind has been saying yes and no back and forth but, do you think it is possible to be living a humble life and not notice it because you have either been doing it so long or because it has become part of your life? do you think God would give that kind of spirit without recognition of that humility?
ReplyDelete"2. Light-mindedness chatter and exclamation about things which do not matter." how is that prideful?
ReplyDelete"12....and a lowered eyes." does that mean we have to always be looking at the floor?
"10. Reluctance to laugh." Don't listen to him on this one.
and that's all I gotta say. but thanks for posting it :)
I will not justify I will only clarify and you can draw your own conclusions.
ReplyDelete2. Its prideful because your "wasting your words" on things unhelpful to your soul. Meaning, your so arrogant that you think your "mindless chatter" is more important than whatever God might be telling you at that time.
12. Its metaphorical for not allowing your spirit to be distracted by worldly things. Examples being things like being distracted during church worship by watching other people.
10. Your disapproval is inadequate to deserve a rebuttal.