I struggle most with pride. It is at the heart of most sins I commit.
In an effort to battle this, i've been doing lots of study on humility.
St. Benedicts twelve stages of humility have been enlightening to me.
Here they are:
The first step towards humility is fear of God and remembrance of Him in all things that we do.
Secondly, the struggler must not love to do his own will, but follow instead the example of the Saviour: "I have come not to do My own will, but the will of Him Who sent Me."
We must be obedient to God and His Church, in all things great and small.
The struggler must be patient, enduring everything that comes to him.
We must not hide our sins, but eagerly confess them.
One who seeks humility must be content with the poorest and worst of everything,
We must consider ourselves as lower than anyone else.
We should not seek to be "different" from others; we should do only what is needful, following the example of the saints.
The humble man learns to restrain his tongue.
We must be serious-minded, not frivolous or silly.
Our words to others should be few, and covered with gentleness.
Real humility appears first in the heart; then it shows itself in our outward behaviour, whether we are working or resting.
I can't say where I am on this ladder, but I hope to progress further.
good words my friend.
ReplyDeleteHowever what is the balance of pride and security? How do we come still across confident and secure, but not prideful?
Who wants to be around an individual who is insecure and unsure of themselves? And no one wants to be around an arrogant piece of poop.
So at some level there is a fine line and a balance of not being prideful, but secure you will get the job done.