By Lena Richee
In the 1950’s, there was a famous study done by Asch that exposed the human tendency for groupthink. A majority of the participants were in on the experiment with directions to give an incorrect answer (for example, to say that a square is a circle) in a group setting. A few real or organic participants were brought into the group and asked to say what shape they saw on the wall. Those few real participants knew that they are looking at a square. Internally they were shocked as they heard person after person consistently voice the opposite (it’s a circle). They began to doubt their own ability to judge reality and as a result, when it was their turn to identify the shape, many of them identified the square incorrectly. They believed a lie, not about what they saw, but about themselves and those around them. This is something that can happen to all of us. Except we aren’t in an experiment.
Every day, on our phones, our podcasts, or roadside billboards the world tries to get us to believe a series of lies. Lies like there are many paths to heaven, that because God loves us He is okay with sin, that infanticide is a good and moral choice. Sometimes, it’s even our own negative thoughts that whisper untruths, that we are alone, that no one cares. After hearing a lie multiple times, whether whispered or shouted, it becomes easy to give in to the cultural groupthink, especially if we fail to repeatedly combat that lie with the truth.
One of the most pervasive lies in today’s culture is one of pride & self-sufficiency. The culture has elevated the self above everything else, placing it into a shrine that says self is the most important thing, and that defining that self is the highest form of morality. In this warped perspective, to deny your self or the self of others is akin to the vilest taboo and is cause for cancellation or expulsion from society. We’ve even set aside an entire month to celebrate this idea. June has been dubbed LGTBQ Pride Month since President Clinton first made the declaration in 2000. It’s as if we’ve forgotten the fact that pride is one of the seven deadly sins.
However, God in His wisdom has shown us how the truth is the exact opposite of the world’s message. God instructed us to die to ourselves daily and commands us to be humble. We are not called to self-indulgence and debauchery. We are not called arrogance and the exalting of self, but are commanded to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vein conceit.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3
In the Greek humility (tapeinophrosýnē) means “lowliness of human pride…a deep sense of one’s (moral) smallness; complete dependence on the Lord, with no reliance on self.” Humility is how we get a right view of God and understand the role our self plays in the Kingdom of God. And it is humility, not pride, that leads to health, happiness and human flourishing. Proverbs 22:4 says, humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. Similarly, James 1:21 says, Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
By denying humility and embracing pride, our culture has cut itself off from the benefits and promised rewards of God, and instead become locked in an ever downward spiral. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. This year, President Trump announced that his administration will not recognize June as Pride month. Another spiritual stronghold over our country has been broken. This means that with summer just blooming, we have a unique opportunity to reclaim June as a month focused on meekness and lowliness of heart. Prolife news contributor & radio host Mike Church has issued a challenge to Christians to spend 30 days leaning into the humility of Christ. While Mike’s emphasis is more Catholic, we can join him by prioritizing humility in our social interactions and practicing discipline and self-control with a purpose.
During the month of June, let’s challenge ourselves to practice restraint in at least one major area of our lives. We do this by restructuring our thoughts and renewing our minds, so that God and His love become the center of our awareness, instead of our fears, worries and needs. We allow ourselves to rest in the security of God’s goodness and actively think of others more than ourselves. Maybe you want to focus on one person, such as challenging yourself to not to criticize and berate your spouse, or addressing any envious thoughts regarding how well your friend’s life is going compared to your own. Maybe you want to address bad habits such as avoiding biting words, profanity and sarcasm, reducing the amount you complain, or being less judgmental of those around you. Or your goal could be more generalized, striving to being kind and be more grateful for the good all around you.
This month, while many are celebrating pride, I encourage you to actively replace prideful thoughts with thoughts that produce life instead, embracing whatever self-denial the Lord has placed on your heart. Be humble, and meek, modest and generous. Embrace virtue and decency, dignity and self-restraint. Practice self-control, respect, and discipline, depending fully upon the Lord. And do so in the security of knowing that the effort will help to strengthen your character and refine you like gold.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Grace Church does not endorse any candidates.
