false humility

Now that I am at Cornerstone Church of Knoxville, I have learned much about humility and pride and fear of man (something I’d never even heard discussed) and such. One thing that I heard casually mentioned by our pastor and has stuck with me is false humility. What can be false about humility? Here’s the difference in my mind:

• False humility is stuff like self-deprecation so people will make much of you and say, “Oh, you’re not that bad.” Humility is sharing a struggle to make much of Christ’s grace.
• False humility is embarrassment. Humility is boasting about weakness.
• False humility is never praying for yourself. Humility is praying, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” (At least that’s what Jesus thought).
• False humility is not bothering people when you need something. Humility is admitting need.
• False humility is pride in a Halloween costume. Humility is taking off the mask.

Only one problem: It’s easier written than done.