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Christian humility Quote by Dennis Okholm

“This realization is much like Donald Miller's awakening after a day of protesting President Bush: "More than my questions about the efficacy of social action were my questions about my own motives. Do I want social justice for the oppressed, or do I just want to be known as a socially active…” quote by Dennis Okholm
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““This realization is much like Donald Miller's awakening after a day of protesting President Bush: "More than my questions about the efficacy of social action were my questions about my own motives. Do I want social justice for the oppressed, or do I just want to be known as a socially active person? I spend 95 percent of my time thinking about myself anyway. I don't have to watch the evening news to see that the world is bad, I only have to look at myself… I was the very problem that I had been protesting. I wanted to make a sign that read "I AM THE PROBLEM!" " I cannot plead innocent. I have contributed to the sum total of misery in the world. ...Or, as Casey incisively remarks, "I have more evidence of crime against myself than I have for any other human being. My conscience accuses me directly of so much malice, whereas I know only by hearsay of the evil done by others. To be humble before God is to know that I am blameworthy." " Such Christian humility is not the same thing as low self-esteem or poor self-image. It is simply the refusal to be deluded by the lie that I am guiltless: "Empowered by the intensity of God's unconditional love for me, I find it possible to demolish my defenses and admit to the truth of my condition. There is nothing in my constitution or personal history that would give me any confidence in my own competence to bring my life to a happy conclusion.””

Dennis Okholm

About This Quote

Source Speech: Personal reflection, date unknown

The speaker confronts self‑deception, recognizing that personal motives often masquerade as altruism, and calls for humility and honest self‑assessment.

In simple terms: Realizing we may be the problem we protest.

Key Takeaway

Acknowledge personal flaws before judging others.

Themes

humility self‑awareness morality spirituality

Mood

reflective introspective serious

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • activism
  • personal growth
  • spiritual practice
  • leadership
  • counseling

Key Concepts

self‑deception moral responsibility Christian humility

Questions to Reflect On

  • What motives truly drive your activism?
  • How can you transform self‑awareness into positive change?
A Different Perspective

Self‑critique can be painful and may lead to paralysis if not balanced with constructive action.

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