The Humility We Desperately Need

In a world drowning in opinions, arguments, and endless streams of information, there’s one virtue we’re sorely lacking: humility. 

On September 23, 2019 I wrote this on Facebook: 

One of the things this world needs right now is a big dose of humility. Be humble enough to listen to the other side. Be humble enough to allow the Bible to renew your mind. Be humble enough to admit that you are ignorant about most things.

That thought has only grown more relevant with time. The more we stare at screens and live inside our own echo chambers, the more arrogant and dismissive we become. We are convinced our opinions are right and that the voices we follow are the good guys.

With my Facebook post I also shared this passage from Scott Adams’ book Win Bigly: 

“The common worldview, shared by most humans, is that there is one objective reality, and we humans can understand that reality through a rigorous application of facts and reason. This view of the world imagines that some people have already achieved a fact-based type of enlightenment that is compatible with science and logic, and they are trying to help the rest of us see the world the ‘right’ way. As far as I can tell, most people share that interpretation of the world. The only wrinkle with that worldview is that we all think we are the enlightened ones. And we assume the people who disagree with us just need better facts, and perhaps better brains, in order to agree with us.” — Scott Adams, Win Bigly, p. 2

I think Adams nails it! 

We all like to think we’ve cracked the code on truth. We’re the enlightened ones, armed with the right facts, the right logic, and the right perspective. I am convinced that many times as Christians we talk about “the truth” in this way. That is why we label it with things like absolute truth ore biblical truth. We want to let the world know that truth is on our side. Those who disagree? Well, they must be misinformed, misled, sinful, or just not thinking hard enough. 

But here’s the kicker: everyone feels this way. The conservative, the progressive, the skeptic, the believer—we’re all convinced we’re the ones seeing reality clearly. And that’s where the trouble starts.

The Humility to Listen

Humility begins with listening—really listening. Not the kind where you’re just waiting for your turn to speak or mentally crafting your rebuttal while the other person talks. This is the kind of listening that seeks to understand, even when you disagree. Humility seeks to find the morals and values that are the foundation of what the other person is saying. This is hard. It’s uncomfortable. It forces you to sit with ideas that might challenge your carefully constructed worldview. 

Even though it is hard, it is one of the ways that we are able to express love for the other person. We are showing them the respect they deserve as a person created in God’s image. It is possible to love someone without agreeing with them.

In James 1:19, we’re told, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” 

James shares timeless wisdom here that slices through our modern noise. Listening doesn’t mean you have to agree. It doesn’t mean you abandon your convictions. It means you value the other person enough to hear them out, to consider that they might—just might—have a perspective worth understanding. 

Humility recognizes that no single person has a monopoly on truth, and sometimes, the “other side” might reveal a blind spot you didn’t know you had.

The Humility to Be Renewed

If we’re honest, most of us cling to our beliefs like life rafts. They give us identity, security, and a sense of belonging. 

Let me ask you a very important question: What happens when those beliefs are challenged—not by an opponent in a debate, but by the very Word of God? 

Romans 12:2 urges us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” That’s a call to humility—a willingness to let God’s truth reshape our thoughts, even when it’s uncomfortable. Are you willing to let Scripture renew your mind?

This kind of humility requires us to hold our beliefs loosely enough to let Scripture challenge them. It means admitting that our understanding of the world—whether it’s politics, morality, or even faith—might not be as airtight as we think. 

It’s not about throwing out conviction; it’s about trusting that God’s truth is bigger than our current understanding. When we approach the Bible with humility, we open ourselves to growth, to correction, and to a deeper relationship with the One who is the Truth.

The Humility to Admit Ignorance

Perhaps the hardest part of humility is admitting we don’t know as much as we think we do. In a world of instant access to information, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we’ve got it all figured out. But the reality is, our knowledge is limited. We’re finite beings trying to make sense of an infinitely complex world. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:12:

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Admitting ignorance isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. It’s the starting point for learning, for growth, for meaningful dialogue. When we acknowledge that we don’t have all the answers, we create space for curiosity, for questions, and for genuine connection with others. It’s a reminder that we’re all on a journey, and none of us has arrived at the destination yet.

Breaking the Cycle of Division

Scott Adams’ observation about our “enlightened” worldviews points to a deeper issue: our pride. 

When we assume we’re the ones with the right facts and everyone else is just wrong, we fuel division. We stop seeing people as individuals with their own stories, struggles, and reasons for believing what they do. Instead, we reduce them to caricatures—“the uninformed,” “the misguided,” or worse.

Humility flips that script. It invites us to see others as fellow travelers, not enemies. It challenges us to listen with empathy, to let God’s Word refine our thinking, and to embrace the limits of our own understanding. In a world that’s quick to shout and slow to hear, humility is a radical act—a countercultural choice that can bridge divides and foster understanding.

A Call to Action

So, where do we go from here? Let’s start small. This week, try one of these:

1. Listen to someone you disagree with. Not to argue, but to understand. Ask questions. Resist the urge to correct or convince. Just listen.
2. Let Scripture challenge you. Pick a passage that feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar, and sit with it. Ask God to renew your mind, even if it means rethinking something you’ve held dear.
3. Admit you don’t know. The next time you’re tempted to act like an expert, pause. Acknowledge the limits of your knowledge, and invite someone else to share their perspective.

The world doesn’t need more people shouting their version of the truth. It needs more people humble enough to listen, to learn, and to grow. Let’s be those people.

What’s one way you’ve practiced humility lately? Or, what’s a situation where you’ve struggled to stay humble? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

Clarity: If God Is Good, Why Does Evil Exist?

Part of the Clarity Series: Building a Christian Worldview

In this series, Clarity, I am attempting to help us construct a Christian worldview to guide us through life’s most profound questions. In this post I seek to tackle one of the most challenging and emotionally charged of them all: If God is good, why does He permit evil?


We often repeat, “God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.” However, can we still hold onto this belief when evil seems to dominate the news? 

• What about when a child is senselessly killed? 
• When earthquakes devastate entire regions? 
• When floods come and destroy homes and wash away people?
• When wars destroy nations and tear apart families? 

This question—Why does a good God allow evil?—is one of the primary reasons people abandon faith. Before his conversion C.S. Lewis rejected God because of the death of his mother, despite fervently praying for her healing. 

Beneath this question lies a profound realization: If I possessed God’s power, I wouldn’t allow this to happen.

So, how do we reconcile God’s goodness with the reality of evil?


Job’s Lament and God’s Response — Scripture Focus: Job 38:1–7 

The book of Job provides us with a profound approach to this question—not with straightforward answers, but with deep truths.

Job, a righteous man who lost everything—his wealth, health, and children—in anguish demanded answers, even accusing God of injustice. His friends argued that he must have sinned, questioning why God would allow him to suffer.

However, both were wrong.

Finally, God speaks. Instead of providing an explanation, He asks Job:

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (Job 38:4)

God doesn’t explain the “why” behind Job’s pain. Instead, He reveals His identity as the Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign. He reminds Job (and us) that His wisdom surpasses ours.

While this may feel unsatisfying in the moment of suffering, it forms the foundation of trust: God knows more than we do. He is not indifferent; He is powerful, purposeful, and present.

Four Biblical Truths About Evil 

While Scripture doesn’t offer a comprehensive philosophical answer to evil, it does provide guiding truths. Drawing from Peter Kreeft’s Fundamentals of the Faith, here are four truths to anchor your thinking:

1. Evil Is Not a Thing—It’s a Choice

Evil is not a created force. It is the result of free will gone wrong. God created angels and humans with the ability to choose. Both groups—heavenly and earthly—chose rebellion over obedience, and that introduced evil into God’s good creation.

We still have that choice. As Moses challenged Israel:

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. … Oh, that you would choose life!” —Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT)

2. Evil Causes Suffering

Evil doesn’t stay contained. It spreads into every layer of life. In Luke 13, Jesus pointed out two kinds of suffering: one caused by human evil (Pilate’s violence) and the other by tragedy (a falling tower). Both were part of the broken world we live in.

If evil causes suffering, then love is what pushes it back. Love—freely chosen—is the foundation of moral good. It alleviates pain, offers hope, and reflects God’s character.

3. Jesus Is God’s Answer to Evil

God didn’t ignore evil. He stepped into it.

In Jesus, God entered the brokenness of this world and took the worst of evil upon Himself through the cross. And in His resurrection, He broke evil’s ultimate power—death.

“Death is swallowed up in victory… thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” —1 Corinthians 15:54, 57

We now live in the tension of the already and not yet. Evil still exists, but its days are numbered. Until then, Jesus calls His followers to be agents of hope and comfort.

“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.” —2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT)

4. Good Can Come Out of Suffering

God never wastes our pain. He uses it to shape us.

“When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. … for when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” —James 1:2–3 (NLT)

Hardship deepens our character, strengthens our faith, and opens doors for love and compassion. Suffering is often the spark that ignites generosity and action.

“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” —1 John 3:18 (NIV)

God’s Plan: Jesus and His People
God is not absent from suffering. He responds to evil in two profound ways:
Through Jesus’ Death and Resurrection: He secures the ultimate victory. Revelation 21 promises a day when “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.”
Through His People’s Compassion: He calls us to embody His love. Matthew 25 reminds us that when we care for the hungry, the sick, and the hurting, we are serving Jesus Himself.

God addresses the issue of evil through Jesus and His devoted followers. 

As citizens of God’s Kingdom (Colossians 3:17), we may not have all the answers, but we do possess a calling: to resist evil by doing good.

Your Challenge: Resist Evil by Doing Good

You don’t need to comprehend everything to make a difference.

This week, take a step:
Support a charity that addresses suffering—local shelters, food banks, or global disaster relief.
Offer help to someone in your life—deliver a meal, make a call, or lend a hand.
Spread hope by hosting a gathering, encouraging a friend, or volunteering in your community.

As we’ve explored throughout the Clarity series, our worldview profoundly influences our response. When we believe in God’s goodness, even in the face of suffering, we can live boldly, love deeply, and fight evil with hope.


Closing Prayer
Thank You, God, for the hope we have in Jesus’ victory over evil.
Grant us the strength to trust You when life becomes challenging.
Empower us, Holy Spirit, to reflect Your goodness by doing good in a world that is hurting.

If this post has stirred questions or you feel God’s nudging your heart, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to walk alongside you.

Let’s continue building a worldview shaped by God’s truth—one that helps us see clearly, love boldly, and live faithfully in a broken world.

Clarity: How Should We Think about Gender?

Part of the Clarity Series: Building a Christian Worldview

In this Clarity series, we’re building a Christian worldview to help us navigate life’s toughest topics. So far, we’ve explored spiritual warfare, the Bible’s trustworthiness, the relationship between science and faith, political identity, the End Times, and biblical morality.

Today, we turn to a topic that shapes relationships, culture, and the church: How should we think about gender?

The Big Idea:

God’s desire is for men and women to work together in unity for His Kingdom, reflecting His image in partnership.

The Lens of Our Worldview

Imagine a builder tasked with constructing a magnificent house. He’s given blueprints and tools but decides to ignore the plans and follow his own instincts. The result? A structure far from the original vision—distorted and incomplete.

That’s what happens when we ignore God’s Word, the blueprint for life. The Bible is a gift from God to help us know Him, understand His will, and build a worldview that reflects His character. Even when we disagree, a shared biblical foundation unifies us and anchors us in truth.

Gender might not seem like a “difficult” topic at first glance, but it deeply affects how we approach marriage, leadership, relationships, identity, and church life. If we want clarity, we must understand:

• God’s design for men and women,
• how sin distorted that design, and
• how the Gospel restores it.

God’s Design for Gender

To think clearly about gender, we begin in Genesis—with creation.

1. Created in God’s Image (Genesis 1:26–28)

Both men and women are made in the image of God, called to reflect His character and co-rule over creation. Masculinity and femininity are not opposites—they are complementary expressions of God’s nature. Together, they reveal God more fully than either could alone.

2. A Helper and a Partner (Genesis 2:18–25)

When God created Eve, He called her a “helper” fit for Adam. The Hebrew word for “helper” (ezer) is also used of God aiding His people—far from a lesser role, it signifies strength and necessity. The word translated “rib” can also mean “side,” suggesting a unity of two halves. Marriage, in this context, becomes a reunion—man and woman joined together for a common purpose.

3. The Fracture of Sin (Genesis 3:16)

Sin distorted God’s good design. Instead of partnership, domination entered the picture—men ruling over women, and women longing for the unity that was lost. Throughout Scripture, we see the effects of this distortion in stories like Hagar’s, Tamar’s, and countless others. Women are often portrayed not as rebellious, but as victims of broken systems.

Restoration Through the Gospel

The good news of the Gospel doesn’t just reconcile us to God—it begins restoring what sin shattered, including relationships between men and women.

1. Invitation to Discipleship (Luke 10:38–42)

Jesus welcomed women like Mary of Bethany as disciples—something radical in His cultural context. He didn’t relegate women to support roles. He invited them to learn, lead, and participate fully in the Kingdom mission (Luke 8:1–3).

2. Partners in the Mission (Romans 16)

Paul’s ministry depended on both men and women. Of the 28 people mentioned in Romans 16, 10 are women—including Phoebe, a deacon; Priscilla, a teacher; and Junia, possibly an apostle. These women weren’t footnotes—they were central to the Gospel’s expansion.

3. Unity in Christ (Galatians 3:28)

In Christ, “there is no male and female.” This doesn’t erase differences—it removes hierarchy and exclusion. The early church welcomed women into leadership, learning, and even martyrdom. As Rodney Stark points out in The Rise of Christianity, women often outnumbered men in the early church, holding influence in both public witness and house churches.

The Big Idea: Unity in God’s Kingdom

God created men and women to reflect His image together. Sin fractured this partnership, introducing dominance and marginalization. But through Jesus, God restores His design—inviting men and women to serve as equal partners in Kingdom work.

We must not overlook anyone’s contributions based on gender, race, or social status. In God’s Kingdom, every gift matters. Unity is not uniformity, but a Spirit-empowered harmony of purpose, dignity, and mutual service.

Your Challenge

Take time this week to examine your heart:

• Am I living as if men and women are equal partners in God’s Kingdom?
• Have I undervalued someone’s voice or gifts based on gender?
• Am I encouraging others to serve, lead, and reflect God’s image—regardless of role or background?

Let’s model God’s design by affirming one another, walking in unity, and using our gifts to reflect His character in the world.

Tying It to Our Worldview

The Clarity series helps us build a biblical lens for life:

• Spiritual warfare teaches us to stand firm in Christ.
• The Bible grounds us in truth.
• Science and faith are complementary tools for understanding God’s world.
• Politics remind us of our allegiance to King Jesus.
• The End Times call us to live faithfully.
• Morality shapes our witness.

Now, gender calls us to reflect God’s design through Spirit-empowered partnership.

Closing Prayer

• Thank You, God, for creating both men and women in Your image.
• Give us wisdom to honor Your design and partner in Your mission.
• Shape us, Holy Spirit, to reflect Your love and unity in the church and the world.

If you have questions or feel God calling you to take a step of faith, please reach out. I want to encourage you to create places where men and women walk side by side—reflecting the glory of our King.

Kept for Christ: Contend for the Faith

 Are you ready to defend what matters most?

In April 2022, Jacob Kingsley was enjoying a Cincinnati Reds game with his wife and their 11-month-old son, Shepherd. Shepherd was strapped to Jacob’s chest, happily sipping from his bottle. As they sat near the field, Jacob’s wife nervously asked, “Are you watching for foul balls?” Confidently, Jacob replied, “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”

Moments later, a foul ball came screaming their way. With one hand still holding Shepherd’s bottle, Jacob snatched the ball out of the air with the other. The crowd erupted. Social media dubbed him a legend. Shepherd? He didn’t even flinch—he just kept drinking. Jacob was ready. He knew his role, and he acted quickly to protect what mattered most.

That’s the image we need as we step into the book of Jude.

In a time of subtle deception and creeping compromise, Christians are called to a similar kind of readiness—not just to passively believe the Gospel, but to actively protect and preserve it. Jude’s urgent letter calls us to stay alert, rooted in King Jesus, and ready to defend the faith when it’s under threat.

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A Timely Warning for Today’s Church

Jude, the brother of James and a servant of Jesus, originally set out to write a letter celebrating the joy of salvation. But a greater need arose—false teachers had quietly slipped into the church, twisting God’s grace and undermining the authority of Jesus. Instead of encouragement, Jude had to write a warning.

And here’s the striking part: The threat was not from the outside world—but from within.

This is a sobering reminder. We often fixate on cultural opposition, but the most dangerous distortions of the Gospel arise inside the Church. That’s why Jude’s message is just as urgent today as it was in the first century.

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Three Truths to Help Us Defend the Faith

Jude 1:1–4 gives us three essential truths for defending the faith.

1. Know Who You Are (vv. 1–2)

Identity comes before action. Jude introduces himself with humility—not as the brother of Jesus, but as His servant. He writes to believers who are:

• Called by God – not because of their initiative, but because of God’s grace.

• Loved by the Father – their value doesn’t come from performance, but from His covenant love.

• Kept for Jesus – protected and preserved by God for His Kingdom.

If we truly know who we are—citizens of God’s Kingdom—then we’ll be motivated to defend what truly matters. We are not just spectators in the faith; we are participants in God’s mission.

2. Understand the Urgency (v. 3)

Jude had hoped to write a joyful letter, but instead, he felt compelled to issue a warning. The truth of the Gospel—the once-for-all message about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection—was under attack.

Defending the faith isn’t just about correcting error. It’s about living faithfully. Our lives must reflect the truth of the Gospel. If we don’t stand firm in it, others may be misled and miss the Kingdom.

This “faith” is not merely personal opinion—it’s the shared, unchanging truth handed down from Jesus to the apostles, and to us through Scripture. That’s why we must defend it with clarity, conviction, and compassion.

3. Recognize the Threat (v. 4)

Jude says ungodly people had wormed their way into the church. They weren’t easily noticed because they used familiar language. But they twisted God’s grace into permission for sin, and they denied the authority of Jesus—even while speaking about Him.

We must be discerning. Many false teachings sound spiritual, quote Scripture, and appear biblical—but they deny God’s holiness, excuse sin, and make the Gospel about us rather than King Jesus.

As one preacher once said, “The most dangerous teaching often uses the most Scripture—but never explains it.” If we aren’t deeply familiar with the true Gospel, we’ll fall for clever counterfeits.

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The Call to Courage

Just like Jacob Kingsley reached out to protect his son with speed and precision, we are called to protect the Gospel—not with fear or aggression, but with a deep love for the truth and for others.

Ask yourself:

• Do I know the core truths of the faith well enough to live them?

• Am I grounded in Scripture so I can recognize error?

• Where am I tempted to misuse grace or soften the truth?

Let’s be clear: defending the faith isn’t just for pastors and theologians. It’s for all of us who have been called, loved, and kept by Christ. We are part of God’s defense line in this generation.

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Final Challenge

Pray that God would raise up faithful defenders of the faith—men and women who live with courage, clarity, and compassion. Commit yourself to faithfully following Jesus, not just in belief, but in practice.

The urgency that compelled Jude to write still rings true today. There are people in the Church—today—who twist Scripture for personal gain and lead others astray. Be alert. Stay rooted in the truth. Live the Gospel.

Know the truth. Live the truth. Defend the faith.

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Prayer Response:

• Thank God for the Gospel and the faith you have because of it.

• Ask God to strengthen your understanding and resolve.

• Commit to faithfully following Jesus and standing for His truth.

Let’s not merely be church attenders or students of Scripture. Let’s be guardians of the faith—ready to act, bold in love, and unshakably grounded in King Jesus.

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“Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else…”

— Jude 1:3, NLT

Let’s take Jude’s words seriously. We are saved, yes—but we are also kept for Christ and called to contend for the faith.

Stay alert. Stay rooted. Stay ready.