Light + Truth Humbled Yet Held: Simeon’s Secret Strength
Oct 1, 2025
Explore the profound connection between brokenness and love for God through the lens of Charles Simeon’s life. John Piper discusses how humility and adoration can coexist beautifully. He contrasts Simeon’s humble embrace of humiliation with society's inclination to avoid shame. The ballast metaphor illustrates how deep contrition stabilizes spiritual experiences. The podcast highlights that true forgiveness fosters love, urging listeners to see God's mercy as a catalyst for deeper devotion, supported by personal cleansing and perseverance through trials.
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Downward Humility, Upward Adoration
- Simeon practiced simultaneous downward humility and upward adoration throughout life.
- Deep contrition fueled increasing delight in Christ rather than diminishing it.
Keep The Humiliation, Don't Banish It
- Simeon did not try to rid himself of humbling effects of sin but to see and feel them.
- He believed facing remaining corruption preserves a healthy spiritual posture.
Ballast Prevents Spiritual Capsizing
- Simeon used the image of ballast to balance intense joy and deep contrition.
- Without humility as ballast, ecstatic experiences can capsize spiritual life.
