A Sober Mind is Humble

You must be humble and modest, and not proud and conceited. It is recommended to the younger to be clothed with humility (1 Pet. 5:5), that is, to be sober-minded.

It is an observation I have made upon what little acquaintance I have had with the world, that I have seen more young people ruined by pride than perhaps by any one lust whatsoever; and therefore let me press this upon you with all earnestness, and it is a caution introduced with more than ordinary solemnity (Rom. 12:3), “I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you.” And what is the word that is thus declared to be of divine original, and universal concern? It is this, that no man think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but think soberly.

Keep up low thoughts of yourselves—of your endowments, both outward and inward; of your attainments and improvements, and all your performances, and all the things you call merits and excellencies. Boast not of a false gift—of what you have not; nor be puffed up with what you have. What there is in you that is commendable, wink at it yourselves, as most people do at their own faults, and diminish it, and look much at that in others which is more commendable. Let not the handsome glory in their beauty, nor the ingenious in their wit, for there cannot be a greater allay to the glory than to

have it said, such and such are comely, and witty, but they know it. Doth your face in any respect shine? Be as Moses was; he wist not that the skin of his face shone; and do what Moses did, as soon as he perceived it, he put a veil upon it. Delight more to say and do what is praiseworthy than to be praised for it; for what hast thou which thou hast not received? And what hast thou received which thou has not abused? And why then dost thou boast?

Keep up a quick and constant sense of your own manifold defects and infirmities: how much there is in you, and how much is said and done by you every day which you have reason to be ashamed of, and humbled for; in how many things you come short of others, and in how many more you come short of the rule; you will find no reason to be proud of what you know when you see how much you are ignorant of, nor of what you do that is good, when you see how much you do amiss. Dwell much upon humbling considerations, and those that tend to take down your high opinion of yourselves, and keep up a humble sense of your necessary and constant dependence upon Christ and his grace, without which you are nothing and will soon be worse than nothing.

Think not yourselves too wise, too good, too old to be reproved for what is amiss, and to be taught to do better. When you are double and triple the age you are, yet you will not be too old to learn, and increase in learning. “If any man think that he knows anything,” that he knows everything so that he needs no more instruction, “he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know it” (1 Cor. 8:2). And therefore he that seems to be wise —seems so to himself— seems so to others —”let him become a fool, that he may be wise” (1 Cor. 3:18), let him be sensible of his own folly, that he may be quickened to use the means of wisdom, and prepared to receive the grace of wisdom.

Be not confident of your own judgment, nor opinionative, nor look upon those with contempt who do not think as you do. Elihu is a great example of humility and modesty to those of your age; he was swift to hear, and very ambitious to learn, for it is the learning age: “I am young, and ye are very old,” and therefore “I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, I attended unto you”—ready to give what you said its due weight, and expecting to hear something that I had not known before; but he was slow to speak, “I was afraid, and durst not show you mine opinion,” for “I said, Days should speak” (Job 32:6,7,11,12). Be not forward to say, “I hold so and so,” for—as a grave divine once told a novice that was laying down the law with great assurance — “It best becomes you to hold your peace.”

Take heed of thinking yourselves above your business. You that are apprentices, think not yourself above your service: humility will make the yoke you are under easy to you, which will gall the proud and stiff neck. You that are set up for yourselves, think it no disparagement to you to confine yourselves to your business, and to make a business of it — to see to it with your own eyes, no, nor to put your own hands to it. Be ashamed of nothing but sin.

It will be yet much worse, if you think yourselves above your religion—above the restraints of it, as if it were a thing below you to be afraid of sin, and to make conscience of your words and actions, whereas there cannot be a greater disgrace to you than loose walking. Nor above the exercise of religion, as if it were a thing below you to pray, and hear the Word, and join in acts of devotion, for it is really the greatest honor you can do yourselves thus to honor God.

Rev. Matthew Henry (1662–1714) pastored a Presbyterian congregation at Chester, England, for twenty-five years. He is best known and loved for his Bible commentary (1708–10). This series of articles is taken from his The Young Christian.

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