I do not think that Thomas saying that all created things (including humanity) are untrustworthy or inherently sinful.
What he may be warning against is the common human tendency to equate physical well-being with overall wellbeing. Trusting in self, or in people or in created things may be a reference to a life that is overly concerned with the usual measures of ok-ness. like, do i have a job? is there food in the fridge? do my friends accept and respect me? are my children in a good school? do i look presentable?
These are not insignificant concerns.
but when these concerns take up all of our energy there may be little left over to direct towards other questions like, is there food for my soul? how are my abilities and talents being used to honour God? how sensitive am I to the needs of people around me? am i becoming more patient, growing in kindness...?
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I think it is important to distinguish between humility and denigration of yourself. Each of us are specially and uniquely made and loved by the God of the Universe and we are important to Him and gifted by Him, but we are not better than others. We are all equally precious to God and therefore no one should feel that they are more so than others.
that is a helpful dictinction! it seems that the word humility has often been associated with unhealthy and painful practices of self denigration.
i wonder what will help us to keep the tension between a healthy appreciation of the created order (our lives, our provision, the things we enjoy...) and a meaningful expression of humility in the sense that Thomas is speaking about.
is humility more to do with how we compare ourselves to others? (rather than about how we perceive ourselves...)
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