Data publicării
01.02.1916
Volumul
37
Numărul
3
Turnul de veghe
What Is Embodied in True Humility
Revistele originale Turnul de veghe în limba engleză
../literature/watchtower/1916/3/1916-3-2.html
F£BRUARY 
1. 
1916 
THE 
WATCH 
TOWER 
(35-36) 
to 
just 
what 
the 
Apo~tle 
meant. 
Those 
who 
have 
come 
into 
Christ 
should 
make 
progress, 
and 
should 
therefore 
feel 
that 
they 
are 
better 
than 
they 
were 
before 
they 
came 
into 
Christ. 
Those 
who 
have 
come 
into 
Christ 
know 
that 
they 
are 
not 
lower 
than 
all 
others. 
Evidently 
the 
Apostle 
did 
not 
mean 
that 
the 
Lord's 
people 
should 
rate 
themselves 
as 
inferior 
to 
other 
men. 
In 
his 
own 
case 
he 
felt 
that 
he 
was 
the 
chief 
of 
sinners, 
be­ 
cause 
he 
had 
been 
an 
open 
opposer 
of 
the 
truth; 
and 
Jesus 
had 
said 
that 
whosoever 
should 
injure 
one 
of 
the 
least 
of 
his 
uisciples 
would 
transgress 
seriously. 
We 
cannot 
say, 
there­ 
fore, 
that 
we 
are 
the 
chief 
of 
all 
sinners. 
We 
think 
that 
few 
of 
the 
Lord's 
people 
could 
say, 
I 
am 
the 
chief 
of 
sinners­ 
either 
from 
the 
standpoint 
of 
committing 
crime 
or 
from 
that 
of 
persecuting 
the 
ehurch. 
We 
are 
not 
to 
bear 
false 
witness 
against 
ourselves. 
In 
what 
way, 
then, 
are 
we 
to 
understand 
the 
Apostle's 
in­ 
junction 
~ 
In 
this 
way: 
We 
are 
to 
realize 
that 
no 
two 
of 
the 
Lord's 
people 
are 
just 
alike. 
If 
we 
have 
the 
right 
focus 
upon 
the 
matter, 
we 
shall 
think 
of 
our 
own 
talents 
in 
a 
humble 
manner. 
We 
shall 
think, 
"I 
have 
something 
of 
this 
quality 
or 
that 
talent 
or 
grace; 
and 
therefore 
I 
have 
much 
responsi­ 
bility 
to 
the 
Lord. 
I 
wonder 
whether 
I 
am 
using 
as 
faith­ 
fully 
as 
I 
could, 
this 
talent 
which 
I 
think 
is 
greater 
than 
that 
of 
my 
neighbor 
or 
my 
brother. 
Though 
they 
may 
have 
less 
than 
I 
have, 
they 
may 
be 
using 
all 
that 
they 
have 
with 
more 
resolute 
purpose 
to 
succeed 
than 
I 
am 
using 
what 
I 
have. 
If 
this 
be 
so, 
then 
he 
is 
better 
than 
I 
am, 
in 
this 
respect." 
A 
PROPER 
ATTITUDE 
TOWARD 
BRETHREN 
As 
we 
look 
around 
in 
the 
Lord's 
family, 
we 
are 
bound 
to 
see 
the 
weaknesses 
and 
frailties 
of 
its 
various 
members. 
We 
are 
not 
to 
allow 
our 
thoughts 
to 
dwell 
too 
much 
upon 
their 
undesirable 
qualities, 
however, 
but 
are 
to 
remember 
all 
their 
good 
ones, 
especially 
their 
loyalty 
of 
heart. 
With 
ourself 
per­ 
sonally, 
it 
is 
always 
a 
recommendation 
in 
anyone 
that 
God 
has 
called 
and 
accepted 
him. 
Whenever 
we 
see 
one 
who 
has 
come 
into 
the 
truth, 
we 
say 
to 
ourself, 
"Well, 
no 
matter 
what 
he 
may 
be 
according 
to 
the 
flpsh, 
God 
saw 
in 
his 
heart 
some­ 
thing 
good, 
noble 
and 
true; 
and 
since 
God 
is 
dealing 
with 
him 
as 
a 
son, 
he 
is 
therefore 
to 
be 
esteemed 
as 
a 
brother." 
Although 
we 
might 
not 
be 
able 
to 
esteem 
that 
man 
highly 
ac­ 
cording 
to 
his 
natural 
qualities, 
yet 
we 
would 
do 
him 
good 
as 
we 
had 
opportunity. 
He 
might 
not 
be 
one 
whom 
we 
would 
sl'!ect 
as 
a 
companion; 
yet 
God 
may 
esteem 
that 
brother 
more 
highly 
than 
he 
does 
us. 
Realizing 
this 
we 
would 
try 
to 
keep 
very 
humble 
and 
to 
learn 
whatever 
helpful 
lessons 
we 
might 
be 
able 
to 
get 
from 
that 
brother. 
In 
all 
persons 
there 
are 
certain 
qualities 
that 
may 
be 
es­ 
teemed 
and 
appreciated; 
even 
as 
the 
old 
lady 
said 
that 
she 
could 
wish 
that 
others 
had 
as 
much 
perseverance 
as 
Satan. 
We 
are 
to 
appreciate 
good 
traits 
whenever 
we 
see 
them 
in 
others. 
We 
do 
not 
know 
whether 
in 
the 
Lord's 
sight 
they 
may 
not 
be 
more 
noble, 
more 
self-sacrificing, 
more 
lowly 
in 
mind 
than 
ourselves. 
Our 
duty 
is 
plain. 
Weare 
not 
able 
to 
read 
the 
heart, 
and 
hence 
we 
arc 
to 
think 
kindly 
and 
generously 
of 
all 
those 
whom 
God 
has 
brought 
into 
his 
family. 
"Love 
beareth 
all 
things, 
. 
. 
. 
. 
endureth 
all 
things." 
"As 
we 
have 
oppor­ 
tunity, 
therefore, 
let 
us 
do 
good 
unto 
all 
men, 
especially 
unto 
them 
of 
the 
household 
of 
faith."-l 
Corinthians 
13:7; 
Gal­ 
atians 
6: 
10. 
HUMILITY 
THE 
PATH 
TO 
GLORY 
The 
Apostles 
Peter 
and 
James 
also 
emphasize 
the 
necessity 
on 
the 
part 
of 
the 
Lord's 
people 
that 
they 
be 
clothed 
with 
humility. 
They 
tell 
us 
that 
this 
grace 
is 
indispensable 
to 
those 
who 
would 
abide 
in 
the 
Father's 
favor; 
for 
God 
resists 
the 
proud, 
while 
he 
continually 
shows 
favor 
to 
those 
who 
are 
of 
humble 
spirit. 
Thus 
he 
encourages 
humility 
and 
discourages 
pride. 
(1 
Peter 
5:5; 
James 
4:6) 
We 
can 
see 
a 
reason 
for 
this 
course. 
The 
Almighty 
sees 
that 
we 
have 
nothing 
what­ 
ever 
of 
which 
to 
be 
proud 
or 
to 
boast. 
Whatever 
we 
have 
has 
been 
of 
the 
Lord's 
providence, 
or 
favoring 
circumstances. 
The 
Scriptures 
give 
some 
marked 
instances 
of 
the 
evil 
re­ 
sults 
of 
pride. 
Lucifer, 
one 
of 
the 
very 
highest 
of 
spirit 
beings, 
became 
proud 
and 
vain 
in 
his 
imagination, 
and 
en­ 
couraging 
these 
evil 
qualities 
he 
lost 
his 
exalted 
position, 
hav­ 
ing 
become 
Satan, 
the 
adversary 
of 
God. 
If 
Mother 
Eve 
had 
possessed 
the 
proper 
humility 
she 
would 
have 
said, 
when 
tempted 
of 
the 
serpent, 
I 
will 
not 
listen 
to 
this 
suggestion 
to 
disobey 
my 
Creator; 
he 
knows 
what 
is 
for 
my 
highest 
good, 
and 
I 
therefore 
submit 
myself 
to 
him 
who 
knows 
all 
things. 
"Pride 
goeth 
before 
destruction, 
and 
an 
haughty 
spirit 
before 
a 
fall."-Prov. 
16: 
18. 
In 
contrast, 
we 
have 
given 
to 
us 
a 
beautiful 
illustration 
of 
the 
opposite 
spirit-humility-in 
the 
case 
of 
the 
Logos. 
We 
are 
&hown 
how 
he 
humbled 
himself, 
and 
how 
God 
has 
highly 
exalted 
him-to 
the 
very 
position 
which 
Satan 
coveted. 
So 
if 
we 
are 
fully 
obedient 
to 
the 
Lord, 
the 
results 
with 
us 
will 
be 
as 
with 
the 
Lord 
Jesus, 
a 
great 
blessing, 
a 
high 
exaltation. 
After 
presenting 
this 
argument, 
the 
Apostle 
says, 
"Humble 
yourselves, 
therefore, 
under 
the 
mighty 
hand 
of 
God, 
that 
he 
may 
exalt 
you 
in 
due 
time."-l 
Peter 
5:6. 
The 
heavenly 
Father 
has 
deeper 
love 
for 
those 
who 
are 
humble. 
This 
is 
the 
reason 
why 
we 
should 
humble 
ourselves. 
Since 
we 
find 
that 
"God 
resisteth 
the 
proud," 
and 
that 
humility 
is 
one 
of 
the 
basic 
principles 
of 
a 
properly 
crystallized 
char­ 
acter, 
we 
should 
more 
and 
more 
seek 
to 
develop 
this 
grace 
and 
attain 
to 
the 
attitude 
in 
which 
God 
can 
give 
us 
the 
greatest 
blessing. 
THE 
"SOUND 
MIND" 
IS 
HUMBLE 
To 
humble 
ourselves 
does 
not 
necessarily 
mean 
to 
think 
that 
we 
have 
no 
talent, 
no 
power, 
no 
ability. 
Such 
an 
atti­ 
tude 
would 
be 
foolishness. 
But 
we 
should 
think 
soberly 
of 
ourselves. 
We 
should 
think 
of 
all 
our 
powers 
as 
coming 
from 
God. 
So 
if 
we 
find 
that 
we 
have 
some 
blessings 
more 
than 
our 
neighbor 
or 
our 
brother 
or 
our 
sister, 
let 
us 
be 
thankful' 
but 
let 
us 
not 
for 
a 
moment 
think 
that 
we 
have 
anything 
t~ 
make 
us 
proud. 
It 
is 
a 
gift. 
We 
should 
appreciate 
the 
gift, 
but 
we 
should 
not 
be 
puffed 
up 
over 
its 
possession. 
The 
fact 
that 
we 
have 
received 
the 
gift 
indicates 
that 
we 
lacked 
it 
needed 
it. 
' 
. 
The 
one 
who 
has 
naturally 
a 
proud 
heart, 
but 
who 
brings 
hImself 
to 
the 
point 
of 
submission, 
manifests 
humility. 
If 
on 
the 
other 
hand, 
one 
who 
by 
nature 
has 
too 
Iowan 
estimate 
of 
himself, 
will 
submit 
himself 
to 
God, 
the 
Father 
will 
show 
him 
the 
proper 
attitude 
of 
mind. 
The 
Apostle 
speaks 
of 
those 
who 
receive 
the 
holy 
Spirit 
as 
having 
the 
"spirit 
of 
a 
sound 
mind." 
In 
proportion 
as 
we 
seek 
to 
become 
acquainted 
with 
God 
and 
to 
submit 
ourselves 
to 
his 
will, 
in 
that 
same 
propor­ 
tion 
we 
become 
balanced 
in 
mind. 
We 
become 
more 
and 
more 
sane, 
if 
you 
please. 
He 
who 
receives 
the 
mind 
of 
Christ 
the 
mind 
of 
God, 
the 
holy 
mind, 
is 
instructed 
more 
thoroughly 
by 
the 
Word. 
Thus 
we 
are 
getting 
the 
balance 
of 
a 
sound 
mind 
the 
spirit 
of 
a 
sound 
mind. 
Our 
reasoning 
faculties 
becom~ 
more 
developed 
as 
we 
grow 
in 
grace 
and 
in 
the 
knowledge 
of 
the 
truth. 
ILLUSTRATION 
OF 
TRUE 
SUBMISSION 
No 
one 
can 
come 
to 
the 
Father 
except 
through 
full 
conse­ 
cration. 
We 
must 
admit 
that 
we 
need 
the 
Master 
and 
that 
~ithout 
hi~ 
we 
can 
~o 
nothing. 
So 
we 
take 
this 
position: 
I 
am 
nothI.ng 
but. 
a 
smner; 
I 
know 
that 
I 
am 
imperfect, 
that 
I 
~ave 
nothIng 
WhICh 
I 
have 
not 
received. 
God 
provides 
every­ 
thIng; 
whatever 
I 
have 
is 
a 
,gift 
from 
him. 
Knowing 
all 
this, 
I 
gratefully 
accept 
these 
thlllgs, 
and 
humble 
myself 
under 
his 
mighty 
hand." 
The 
world 
says, 
"No! 
I 
will 
not 
submit 
myself' 
if 
I 
neeu 
any 
P1!~ishment 
I 
will 
take 
what 
is 
coming 
to 
me:" 
Such 
is 
the 
SpIrIt 
of 
a 
worlilly 
heart 
that 
has 
not 
yet 
learned 
its 
need 
and 
its 
impotence. 
But 
the 
spirit 
of 
a 
consecrated 
heart 
is 
that 
of 
.submission 
to 
the 
will 
.of 
the 
Lord. 
Such 
recognize 
that 
theu 
only 
source 
of 
help 
IS 
the 
Almighty 
God 
through 
the 
Lord 
Jesus 
Christ 
as 
the 
Savior. 
For 
those 
a:lone 
who 
become 
his 
disciples 
can 
our 
Lord 
become 
the 
Advocate; 
and 
unless 
he 
be 
the 
Advocate 
none 
can 
be 
accepted 
of 
the 
Father. 
We 
might 
have 
a 
blessing 
in 
the 
times 
of 
restitution, 
but 
no­ 
body 
can 
come 
to 
God 
now 
except 
through 
the 
Advocate. 
. 
The 
terms 
o~ 
discipleship 
are 
that 
we 
lay 
down 
all 
earthly 
rIghts, 
earthly 
mterests. 
Everything 
must 
be 
submitted 
be­ 
fore 
the 
Father 
will 
accept 
us 
as 
disciples 
of 
Christ 
at 
all 
before 
he 
will 
beget 
us 
of 
the 
holy 
Spirit, 
before 
we 
can 
be~ 
come 
a 
part 
of 
the 
anointed 
body 
of 
Christ. 
If 
we 
would 
m~ke 
any 
t.rue 
progress,,, 
we 
must 
say 
from 
the 
heart, 
"Thy 
wIll, 
not 
mIne, 
be 
done. 
We 
know 
that 
God's 
will 
is 
best 
whether 
we 
understand 
that 
will 
or 
not. 
A 
person 
with 
larg~ 
self-esteem 
might, 
as 
a 
natural 
man, 
think 
his 
own 
will 
better' 
but 
when 
he 
comes 
to 
see 
the 
truth, 
he 
will 
say, 
"I 
have 
mad~ 
mistakes 
before; 
but 
now 
I 
will 
do 
the 
Lord's 
way 
regardless 
of 
what 
my 
judgment 
may 
be." 
, 
Such 
a 
course 
would 
evidence 
real 
humility, 
no 
matter 
how 
proud-spirited 
one 
might 
be 
by 
nature. 
As 
he 
would 
progress 
III 
the 
good 
way, 
and 
see 
more 
clearly 
wherein 
he 
had 
made 
mistakes, 
his 
humility 
would 
increase. 
So 
we 
are 
to 
submit 
ourselves, 
humble 
ourselves, 
have 
no 
will 
of 
our 
own 
but 
merely 
seek 
the 
Lord's 
will. 
' 
ILLUSTRATION 
OF 
FALSE 
HUMILITY 
There 
is 
such 
a 
thing 
as 
a 
false 
submission, 
which 
might 
deceive 
even 
the 
person 
himself. 
One 
might 
talk 
a 
great 
deal 
about 
submission 
to 
the 
will 
of 
God, 
and 
yet 
be 
only 
nomi­ 
nally 
submitting 
while 
he 
is 
really 
doing 
his 
own 
will. 
We 
are 
to 
watch, 
therefore, 
that 
we 
are 
carrying 
out 
the 
profession 
of 
submission, 
and 
that 
in 
our 
daily 
course 
of 
life 
we 
are 
ask­ 
ing, 
"Is 
this 
the 
course 
which 
the 
Lord 
wishes 
me 
to 
pursue' 
Is 
this 
the 
will 
of 
God 
f" 
The 
most 
submissive 
will 
receive 
the 
greatest 
blessing. 
[5843] 
Fepruary 1, 1916 to just what the Apostle meant. Those who have come into Christ should make progress, and should therefore feel that they are better than they were before they came into Christ. Those who have come into Christ know that they are not lower than all others. Evidently the Apostle did not mean that the Lord’s people should rate themselves as inferior to other men. In his own case he felt that he was the chief of sinners, because he had been an open opposer of the truth; and Jesus had said that whosoever should injure one of the least of his disciples would transgress seriously. We cannot say, therefore, that we are the chief of all sinners. We think that few of the Lord’s people could say, I am the chief of sinners— either from the standpoint of committing crime or from that of persecuting the church. We are not to bear false witness against ourselves. . In what way, then, are we to understand the Apostle’s injunction? In this way: We are to realize that no two of the Lord’s people are just alike. If we have the right focus upon the matter, we shall think of our own talents in a humble manner. We shall think, “I have something of this quality or that talent or grace; and therefore I have much responsibility to the Lord. I wonder whether I am using as faithfully as I could, this talent which I think is greater than that of my neighbor or my brother. Though they may have less than I have, they may be using all that they have with more resolute purpose to succeed than I am using what I have. If this be so, then he is better than I am, in this respect.” A PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARD BRETHREN As we look around in the Lord’s family, we are bound to see the weaknesses and frailties of its various members. We are not to allow our thoughts to dwell too much upon their undesirable qualities, however, but are to remember all their good ones, especially their loyalty of heart. With ourself personally, it is always a recommendation in any one that God has called and accepted him. Whenever we see one who has come into the truth, we say to ourself, “Well, no matter what he may be according to the flesh, God saw in his heart something good, noble and true; and since God is dealing with him as a son, he is therefore to be esteemed as a brother.” Although we might not be able to esteem that man highly according to his natural qualities, yet we would do him good as we had opportunity. He might not be one whom we would select as a companion; yet God may esteem that brother more highly than he does us. Realizing this we would try to keep very humble and to learn whatever helpful lessons we might be able to get from that brother. In all persons there are certain qualities that may be esteemed and appreciated; even as the old lady said that she could wish that others had as much perseverance as Satan. We are to appreciate good traits whenever we see them in others. We do not know whether in the Lord’s sight they may not be more noble, more self-sacrificing, more lowly in mind than ourselves. Our duty is plain. We are not able to read the heart, and hence we are to think kindly and generously of all those whom God has brought into his family. ‘Love beareth all things, .... endureth all things.” “As we have opportunity, therefore, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them of the household of faith.”—1 Corinthians 13:7; Galatians 6:10. HUMILITY THE PATH TO GLORY The Apostles Peter and James also emphasize the necessity on the part of the Lord’s people that they be clothed with humility. They tell us that this grace is indispensable to those who would abide in the Father’s favor; for God resists the proud, while he continually shows favor to those who are of humble spirit. Thus he encourages humility and discourages pride. (1 Peter 5:5; James 4:6) We can see a reason for this course. The Almighty sees that we have nothing whatever of which to be proud or to boast. Whatever we have has been of the Lord’s providence, or favoring circumstances. The Scriptures give some marked instances of the evil results of pride. Lucifer, one of the very highest of spirit beings, became proud and vain in his imagination, and encouraging these evil qualities he lost his exalted position, having become Satan, the adversary of God. If Mother Eve had possessed the proper humility she would have said, when tempted of the serpent, I will not listen to this suggestion to disobey my Creator; he knows what is for my highest good, and I therefore submit myself to him who knows all things. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”—Prov. 16:18. In contrast, we have given to us a beautiful illustration of the opposite spirit—humility—in the case of the Logos. We are shown how he humbled himself, and how God has highly exalted him—to the very position which Satan coveted. So if we are fully obedient to the Lord, the results with us will be THE WATCH TOWER (35-36) as with the Lord Jesus, a great blessing, a high exaltation. After presenting this argument, the Apostle says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”—1 Peter 5:6, The heavenly Father has deeper love for those who are humble. This is the reason why we should humble ourselves. Since we find that “God resisteth the proud,” and that humility is one of the basic principles of a properly crystallized character, we should more and more seek to develop this grace and attain to the attitude in which God can give us the greatest blessing. THE ‘‘SOUND MIND’’ IS HUMBLE To humble ourselves does not necessarily mean to think that we have no talent, no power, no ability. Such an attitude would be foolishness. But we should think soberly of ourselves. We should think of all our powers as coming from God. So if we find that we have some blessings more than our neighbor or our brother or our sister, let us be thankful; but let us not for a moment think that we have anything to make us proud. It is a gift. We should appreciate the gift, but we should not be puffed up over its possession. The fact that we have received the gift indicates that we lacked it, needed it. The one who has naturally a proud heart, but who brings himself to the point of submission, manifests humility. If on the other hand, one who by nature has too low an estimate of himself, will submit himself to God, the Father will show him the proper attitude of mind. The Apostle speaks of those who receive the holy Spirit as having the “spirit of a sound mind.” In proportion as we seek to become acquainted with God and to submit ourselves to his will, in that same proportion we become balanced in mind. We become more and more sane, if you please. He who receives the mind of Christ, the mind of God, the holy mind, is instructed more thoroughly by the Word. Thus we are getting the balance of a sound mind, the spirit of a sound mind. Our reasoning faculties become more developed as we grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. ILLUSTRATION OF TRUE SUBMISSION No one can come to the Father except through full consecration, We must admit that we need the Master and that without him we can do nothing. So we take this position: “JT am nothing but a sinner; I know that I am imperfect, that I have nothing which I have not received. God provides everything; whatever I have is a gift from him. Knowing all this, I gratefully accept these things, and humble myself under his mighty hand.” The world says, “No! I will not submit myself; if I need any punishment I will take what is coming to me.” Such is the spirit of a worldly heart that has not yet learned its need and its impotence. But the spirit of a consecrated heart is that of submission to the will of the Lord. Such recognize that their only source of help is the Almighty God, through the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior. For those alone who become his disciples can our Lord become the Advocate; and unless he be the Advocate none can be accepted of the Father. We might have a blessing in the times of restitution, but nobody can come to God now except through the Advocate. The terms of discipleship are that we lay down all earthly rights, earthly interests. Everything must be submitted before the Father will accept us as disciples of Christ at all, before he will beget us of the holy Spirit, before we can become a part of the anointed body of Christ. If we would make any true progress, we must say from the heart, “Thy will, not mine, be done.” We know that God’s will is best, whether we understand that will or not. A person with large self-esteem might, as a natural man, think his own will better; but when he comes to see the truth, he will say, “I have made mistakes before; but now I will do the Lord’s way, regardless of what my judgment may be.” Such a course would evidence real humility, no matter how proud-spirited one might be by nature. As he would progress in the good way, and see more clearly wherein he had made mistakes, his humility would increase. So we are to submit ourselves, humble ourselves, have no will of our own, but merely seek the Lord’s will. ILLUSTRATION OF FALSE HUMILITY There is such a thing as a false submission, which might deceive even the person himself. One might talk a great deal about submission to the will of God, and yet be only nominally submitting while he is really doing his own will. We are to watch, therefore, that we are carrying out the profession of submission, and that in our daily course of life we are asking, “Is this the course which the Lord wishes me to pursue? Is this the will of God?” The most submissive will receive the greatest blessing. [5843}

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