Is humility and confidence mutually exclusive?

I’ve heard many social media influencers and commentators discuss being humble and being confident as if they are mutually exclusive. Just the other day I heard a prominent relationship expert say something to effect of “when you get a chance to be in rooms with important people that is not your time to be humble, that is your time to confidently tell them who you are and what you have to offer”. I listened to that statement and asked myself “why do people think speaking up for yourself and knowing who you are is ‘anti-humble'”, and when you decide to humble yourself it is an indication that you are not confident.

I’m writing this blog to submit to you that it is not only possible to be humbly confident but I submit to you that one of the most confident things you can do is be humble. You have to be very secure in yourself to decide to be humble, especially in moments where you can be full of pride.

Speaking of pride, humility and confidence, let’s start with some definitions. Because definitions are everything.

Humble (Merriam-Webster) not proud or haughty, not arrogant

Confident (Merriam-Webster) having or showing assurance, certainty

The opposite of humility is pride, NOT confidence. The opposite of confidence is insecurity, NOT humility.

Now lets look at few Bible passages that will also help define humility.

-James 4:6 But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble”

-James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the LORD, and He will lift you up.

-Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

Based on these 3 scriptures (and there are tons more) you will come to the conclusion that choosing humility is a smart move, I would even say at times it can be strategic.

Let’s unpack the Luke 14 scripture. The first part of the scripture seems to imply that humility can be a punishment, but the second part of the scripture indicates that when you choose to humble yourself you set yourself up for a reward. So if I were you I would actively choose humility negating pride and arrogance so I can be placed in a high, powerful level by God vs exalting myself and God having to humble me. I would strategically choose humility so humility wouldn’t have to be chosen for me.

It takes a lot of maturity, security in one’s identity to be humble, and that’s one of the most confident things you can do.

Here’s how Christ seamlessly walked in humble confidence. Philippians 2:6-8. Paraphrasing this scripture it says Jesus was well aware of His deity as God, He confidently knew He was equal to God the father. Yet He chose to humble Himself and submit being crucified on the cross for our sins, for our sakes. This is the perfect example of Humble Confidence.

Know who you are, be confident who God made you, but maintain your humility, because its humility that will exalt you and bring you favor.

What are your thoughts on the topic of “Humble Confidence”? Do you believe they can coexist? Do you feel you personally exude humble confidence?