Chapter 7: False Humility — The Other Mask of Pride
Some people crave praise.
Others reject it.
Some announce their greatness.
Others downplay it.
But both may be doing the same thing:
keeping attention on self.
Pride doesn’t always stand tall.
Sometimes it bows low—
but only to be admired for bowing.
That’s false humility.
And it’s just as dangerous.
What False Humility Sounds Like
– “Oh, I’m nothing.”
– “I don’t deserve any credit.”
– “It was all God… but I did work hard.”
It can sound holy.
It can sound modest.
But sometimes, it’s bait for more applause.
“You’re so humble.”
“You’re the real deal.”
“Wow, I wish I were as selfless as you.”
False humility is pride in disguise.
It’s still image management.
It still wants to be seen—just not obviously.
A Warning in Colossians
Paul warned the church about religious pride:
“These have indeed an appearance of wisdom…
in self-made religion and false humility.” — Colossians 2:23
Not true godliness.
Just spiritual performance.
It’s pride dressed in religious clothes—
fasting, praying, speaking softly,
appearing meek.
But God sees the heart.
And no costume fools Him.
Why False Humility Feels Safer
Boasting risks backlash.
False humility feels safer.
It makes people admire you
while keeping you above criticism.
It says:
– “I don’t need praise,”
but watches closely for it.
– “I’m unworthy,”
but expects to be elevated anyway.
It’s harder to detect—
but still pride at the core.
Jesus and the Pharisee Again
“They do all their deeds to be seen by others…
They love the place of honor… and to be called rabbi.” — Matthew 23:5–7
They didn’t shout.
They didn’t mock.
They weren’t cartoon villains.
They were respected.
Religious. Measured.
But they prayed long to be noticed.
They fasted to be admired.
They tithed to be applauded.
Jesus wasn’t impressed.
Because pride wrapped in humility
is still rebellion.
The Test of Real Humility
Can you be forgotten—without complaint?
Can someone else get credit—without resentment?
Can you let go of status, comfort, or control—without a speech?
False humility fades when no one’s watching.
Real humility begins there.
“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth.” — Proverbs 27:2
Jesus, Truly Lowly
“I am gentle and lowly in heart.” — Matthew 11:29
Not just low in posture,
but low in heart.
Jesus didn’t fake humility.
He embodied it.
He didn’t say,
“I’m just a servant, but…”
He took the towel.
And the cross.
Real humility doesn’t announce itself.
It just serves.
What Does It Matter?
False humility is deadly
because it doesn’t look like pride.
It looks like virtue.
But it still resists surrender.
It wants to be honored—
but in a roundabout way.
And it can thrive in churches, pulpits, pulpits, and pews.
But God doesn’t look at style.
He looks at the heart.
And the heart must bow—
truly, quietly, honestly—
before Him.
Reflection and Questions
Do I say I’m humble but secretly want recognition?
Do I decline compliments, hoping to hear them repeated?
Am I more focused on appearing lowly than being lowly?
When no one sees, do I still serve joyfully?
What would it look like to seek only God's approval today?
