---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we refrain from acting on what God…"
description: "\"“When we refrain from acting on what God says in His Word because we believe we can do more to help His cause, in reality it's pride - false humility. ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f4/john-bevere-6845_false-humility_when-we-refrain-from-acting-on-what-god_3000029.png"
---

#  When we refrain from acting on what God says in His Word…

![“When we refrain from acting on what God says in His Word because we believe we can do more to help His cause, in reality it's pride - false humility. We indirectly communicate we know more than God, because God loves the poor, but at the same time tells us to pay those who labour in His Word doubly.” quote by John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f4/john-bevere-6845_false-humility_when-we-refrain-from-acting-on-what-god_3000029.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f4/john-bevere-6845_false-humility_when-we-refrain-from-acting-on-what-god_3000029.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f4/john-bevere-6845_false-humility_when-we-refrain-from-acting-on-what-god_3000029.png)

> ““When we refrain from acting on what God says in His Word because we believe we can do more to help His cause, in reality it's pride - false humility. We indirectly communicate we know more than God, because God loves the poor, but at the same time tells us to pay those who labour in His Word doubly.””

[John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote warns that refusing to act on Scripture, believing we can improve the cause, is prideful false humility, implying we claim superior knowledge over God.

**In simple terms:** Ignoring God’s guidance out of pride is false humility.

Key Takeaway

Align actions with Scripture, not personal pride.

Themes

pride humility faith obedience

Mood

reflective serious spiritual

Type

theological ethical

When to use this quote

- church leadership
- personal devotion
- teaching
- mission work
- counseling

Key Concepts

theology spirituality ethics

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we discern true humility in our service?
- What steps ensure we follow God’s Word faithfully?

A Different Perspective

Human judgment can be flawed; humility may be difficult to practice.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[False humility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/false-humility/) [Humility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humility/)

## Related quotes

> [“There’s an irresolvable tension that exists between God’s sovereignty and man’s free will. He never forces man to act or prevents him from acting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-wiseman/there-s-an-irresolvable-tension-that-exists-between-god-s-sovereignty/)

Paula Wiseman

> [It is impossible for any rational creature to be happy without acting all for God. God Himself could not make him happy any other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brainerd/it-is-impossible-for-any-rational-creature-to-be-happy-without-acting/)

[David Brainerd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brainerd/)

> [I realised that acting is not my god.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/letitia-wright/i-realised-that-acting-is-not-my-god/)

[Letitia Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/letitia-wright/)

> [We give antibiotics to people when they're dying or when they're not well; that's acting God. I mean, acting God is using the tools…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-winston/we-give-antibiotics-to-people-when-they-re-dying-or-when-they-re-not/)

[Robert Winston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-winston/)

> [True theology is an actual determination and claiming of man by the acting God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/true-theology-is-an-actual-determination-and-claiming-of-man-by-the/)

[Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/)

> [“Don't think for a minute that God has forgotten about you or doesn't have your back. And don't base God's love or desire to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-may-warren/don-t-think-for-a-minute-that-god-has-forgotten-about-you-or-doesn-t/)

[Susan May Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-may-warren/)

> [He talks about God, and loving God. he says that when we open to loving a person, whether that person is a spouse, friend,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-beattie/he-talks-about-god-and-loving-god-he-says-that-when-we-open-to-loving/)

[Melody Beattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-beattie/)

> [“The way I see things, God loves you the same whether you're being elegant or not. It feels much better when you are, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/the-way-i-see-things-god-loves-you-the-same-whether-you-re-being/)

[Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/)

> [Humility is often a false front we employ to gain power over others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/humility-is-often-a-false-front-we-employ-to-gain-power-over-others/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [It was the first time it had ever occurred to me, that this detestable cant of false humility might have originated out of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/it-was-the-first-time-it-had-ever-occurred-to-me-that-this-detestable/)

[Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/)

> [I'm blessed by God. Cutting edge? I am. I'm leading a movement, leading a broadcast revolution on AM radio. I'm very confident about myself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/i-m-blessed-by-god-cutting-edge-i-am-i-m-leading-a-movement-leading-a/)

[Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/)

> [I can't show false humility, nor be overly proud and ostentatious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tite/i-can-t-show-false-humility-nor-be-overly-proud-and-ostentatious/)

[Tite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tite/)

> [ “\[F\]or several thousand years we have been obsessed with a false humility—on the one hand, putting ourselves down as mere creatures" who came into… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-watts/f-or-several-thousand-years-we-have-been-obsessed-with-a-false/)

[Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-w-watts/)

> [“Faith taints or at worst removes our curiosity about the world, what we should value, and what type of life we should lead. Faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-boghossian/faith-taints-or-at-worst-removes-our-curiosity-about-the-world-what/)

[Peter Boghossian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-boghossian/)

> [“My dear, here is lesson number one for using opportunity; waste no time on false humility. Tell the world about your achievements don't wait…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-alcott/my-dear-here-is-lesson-number-one-for-using-opportunity-waste-no-time/)

[Kate Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-alcott/)

## More by John Bevere

> [The enemy of intimidation attacks our soul. It is not defeated through psychology or positive thinking. Our weapon against intimidation is the sword of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/the-enemy-of-intimidation-attacks-our-soul-it-is-not-defeated-through/)

[John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/)

> [Today the meaning of the word believe has been weakened. In the eyes of most it has become a mere acknowledgment of a certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/today-the-meaning-of-the-word-believe-has-been-weakened-in-the-eyes/)

[John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/)

> [Simply put, the promises of God are not automatic; they must be acquired by faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/simply-put-the-promises-of-god-are-not-automatic-they-must-be/)

[John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/)

> [A lack of compassion for others arises from an unwillingness to forgive their weaknesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/a-lack-of-compassion-for-others-arises-from-an-unwillingness-to/)

[John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/)

> [True humility is absolute obedience and dependence on God. It puts Him first, others second, and ourselves third in all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/true-humility-is-absolute-obedience-and-dependence-on-god-it-puts-him/)

[John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/)

> [“I will use this period of spiritual training in my life to focus on the greatness of my God instead of the impossibility of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/i-will-use-this-period-of-spiritual-training-in-my-life-to-focus-on/)

[John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/)

> [Jesus never gave advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/jesus-never-gave-advice/)

[John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/)

> [If we don’t risk being hurt, we cannot give unconditional love. Unconditional love gives others the right to hurt us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/if-we-don-t-risk-being-hurt-we-cannot-give-unconditional-love/)

[John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/)

> [When we filter everything through past hurts, rejections, and experiences, we find it impossible to believe God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/when-we-filter-everything-through-past-hurts-rejections-and/)

[John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/)

> [Love forgets wrongs so that there is hope for the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/love-forgets-wrongs-so-that-there-is-hope-for-the-future/)

[John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/)

> [ “Do we honor them for the extras? No, a thousand times no. We \[honor them\] because God gave us the charge to honor all.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/do-we-honor-them-for-the-extras-no-a-thousand-times-no-we-honor-them/)

[John bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/)

> [If you are still hurting from a past offense, it is because you choose to hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/if-you-are-still-hurting-from-a-past-offense-it-is-because-you-choose/)

[John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/)

> [The focus of offended Christians is inward and introspective. We guard our rights and personal relationships carefully. Our energy is consumed with making sure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/the-focus-of-offended-christians-is-inward-and-introspective-we-guard/)

[John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/)

> [It is easy to be loyal to a leader or father who loves you, but what about one who is out to destroy you?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/it-is-easy-to-be-loyal-to-a-leader-or-father-who-loves-you-but-what/)

[John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/)

> [“The reality is, when someone knows the truth, knows the will of God, knows what God has spoken , and yet pushes back and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/the-reality-is-when-someone-knows-the-truth-knows-the-will-of-god/)

[John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/)

[Explore all 97 John Bevere quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/)

## More False humility quotes

> [“Faith taints or at worst removes our curiosity about the world, what we should value, and what type of life we should lead. Faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-boghossian/faith-taints-or-at-worst-removes-our-curiosity-about-the-world-what/)

[Peter Boghossian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-boghossian/)

> [It was the first time it had ever occurred to me, that this detestable cant of false humility might have originated out of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/it-was-the-first-time-it-had-ever-occurred-to-me-that-this-detestable/)

[Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/)

> [Humility is often a false front we employ to gain power over others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/humility-is-often-a-false-front-we-employ-to-gain-power-over-others/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [“My dear, here is lesson number one for using opportunity; waste no time on false humility. Tell the world about your achievements don't wait…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-alcott/my-dear-here-is-lesson-number-one-for-using-opportunity-waste-no-time/)

[Kate Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-alcott/)

> [I'm blessed by God. Cutting edge? I am. I'm leading a movement, leading a broadcast revolution on AM radio. I'm very confident about myself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/i-m-blessed-by-god-cutting-edge-i-am-i-m-leading-a-movement-leading-a/)

[Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/)

> [I can't show false humility, nor be overly proud and ostentatious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tite/i-can-t-show-false-humility-nor-be-overly-proud-and-ostentatious/)

[Tite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tite/)

> [ “\[F\]or several thousand years we have been obsessed with a false humility—on the one hand, putting ourselves down as mere creatures" who came into… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-watts/f-or-several-thousand-years-we-have-been-obsessed-with-a-false/)

[Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-w-watts/)

> [One who has an inferiority complex can never be really humble, but can only have false modesty or false humility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/one-who-has-an-inferiority-complex-can-never-be-really-humble-but-can/)

[Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/)

> [An authentically empowered person is humble. This does not mean the false humility of one who stoops to be with those who are below…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/an-authentically-empowered-person-is-humble-this-does-not-mean-the/)

[Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/)

> [“High and holy ambition--to be a saint--is not opposed to holy humility--total reliance on God's grace. Exactly the opposite. Ambition without humility is ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/high-and-holy-ambition-to-be-a-saint-is-not-opposed-to-holy-humility/)

[Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/)

> [Doubt is my boon companion, the faithful St. Bernard ever at my side. Whether writing essays or just going about daily life, I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillip-lopate/doubt-is-my-boon-companion-the-faithful-st-bernard-ever-at-my-side/)

[Phillip Lopate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phillip-lopate/)

> [“False humility is a form of psychosis which was imprinted on most of us since birth. It is a mental illness because it locks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-nordby/false-humility-is-a-form-of-psychosis-which-was-imprinted-on-most-of/)

[Jacob Nordby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-nordby/)

> [“False humility is better than no humility at all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-krassner/false-humility-is-better-than-no-humility-at-all/)

[Paul Krassner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-krassner/)

> [True humility is intelligent self-respect which keeps us from thinking too highly or too meanly of ourselves. It makes us mindful of the nobility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-washington-sockman/true-humility-is-intelligent-self-respect-which-keeps-us-from-2/)

[Ralph Washington Sockman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-washington-sockman/)

> [I make these little films. I'm just a working person. I just study people a little bit more. It's more sociological, and it's funny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-delpy/i-make-these-little-films-i-m-just-a-working-person-i-just-study/)

[Julie Delpy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-delpy/)

[Browse all 26 False humility quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/false-humility/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“When we refrain from acting on what God says in His Word because we believe we can do more to help His cause, in reality it's pride - false humility. We indirectly communicate we know more than God, because God loves the poor, but at the same time tells us to pay those who labour in His Word doubly.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John Bevere"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/when-we-refrain-from-acting-on-what-god-says-in-his-word-because-we/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "False humility"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/when-we-refrain-from-acting-on-what-god-says-in-his-word-because-we/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f4/john-bevere-6845_false-humility_when-we-refrain-from-acting-on-what-god_3000029.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f4/john-bevere-6845_false-humility_when-we-refrain-from-acting-on-what-god_3000029.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f4/john-bevere-6845_false-humility_when-we-refrain-from-acting-on-what-god_3000029.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When we refrain from acting on what God says in His Word because we believe we can do more to help His…” — John Bevere",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "John Bevere",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“When we refrain from acting on...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/when-we-refrain-from-acting-on-what-god-says-in-his-word-because-we/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/when-we-refrain-from-acting-on-what-god-says-in-his-word-because-we/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
