James 4:6,10 says “But he gives more grace. Wherefore he says, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble…. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” “He that is down needs fear no fall; He that is low no pride; He that is humble ever shall have God to be his guide” - John Bunyan
Humility is the mark of a true Christian. Richard Baxter said, “It is a contradiction to be a Christian and not humble.” Synonyms for humility are: humbleness, lowliness, meekness, modest, unassuming. Antonyms include: prideful, arrogant, pretentious, haughty, conceited. The Bible has much to say about humility. Let’s get into God’s Word.
God’s Word tells us clearly that humility is something that we are to seek after (Zep 2:3, 1Tim 6:11). Why are we to seek humility? Because: 1.The humble inherit the earth (Ps 37;11, Mt 5:5). 2. The humble shall eat and be satisfied, they shall praise the Lord, their hearts shall live forever (Ps 22:26). 3. The Lord will guide the meek and teach them His way (Ps 25:9). 4. The Lord will lift them up (Ps 147:6). 5. The Lord will beautify the meek with salvation (Ps 149:4). 6. The humble will increase their joy in The Lord (Isa 29:19). 7. A humble spirit is of great price in God’s eyes (1Pt 3:4). 8. The Gospel is for the humble (Isa 61:1).
“Our opinion of our self should be lower than that of others, for we have a better acquaintance with our imperfections” - Thomas a Kempis. Paul, considered the greatest apostle, did not see himself as such. He called himself “The least of the Apostles“ and “The chief of sinners”. He had a spirit of humility.
Want your prayers heard? Pray with a spirit of humility (2Chr 7:14 & 34:27, Ps 9:12 & 10:17). God exalts the humble (Prv 29:23, Isa 57:15, Mt 18:4, 23:12, 1Pt 5:5-6). “Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil's reach than humility” - Jonathan Edwards. Thomas Watson said, “The right manner of growth, is to grow less in one’s own eyes”. This is the heart of humility that John the Baptist had when he said, “He (Jesus) must increase, and I must decrease.”
Cultivate a spirit of humility. “When you are hard on yourself, life will be infinitely easier on you” - Zig Ziglar. Just ask Pharaoh during the Exodus (Ex 10:3). He should have humbled himself. Life would have been much better for him Like Pharaoh, the world seeks honor without humility. However, before honor is humility (Prv 15:33, 18:12, 22:4). If we will humble ourselves first, then God will exalt us. If God sets us up, we are set. If we set ourselves up, we are set up for a fall.
Humility is a frame of mind (Act 20:19, Col 3:12, Philp 2:3). It is to make a right estimate of one's self (Spurgeon). It is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less (Warren). It is not looking down on one's self; rather, it is not looking at one's self at all (Watchman Nee). It is acknowledging that without Jesus, you are lost - spirit, soul, & body. It is dying to self will, and surrendering to God’s will. Moses was humble, and so was Jesus (Num 12:3, Mt 11:29, 21:5). Often in the Torah, when Moses was criticized, instead of retaliating he fell down on his face and interceded for the very people who attacked him (as Jesus did). If someone criticizes you, do you respond in this way?
There is a false humility we should avoid (Col 2:18, 23). This makes an outward show of humility, but it is not in one’s heart. If you have not humbled yourself at the feet of Jesus and His Word, then you are not truly humble - no matter what outward show you put on. To deny the gift of righteousness only God The Father can give through God The Son is to be self-righteous; and a self-righteous person is by definition not humble.
We are to receive God’s Word with humility (Jam 1:21), which means we let it judge us, rather than our sitting in judgment of it. We are to do good works with humility (Jam 3:13), and not be like the Pharisee who gloated in his works before God (Lk 18:10-14). We are to minister in humility (1Pt 3:15, Gal 6:1, 2Tim 2:25), remembering that those who oppose the Gospel actually oppose themselves. Finally, let us remember, as we have abundant Biblical example: Those who walk humbly with God will often walk alone - though they are never alone. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord (Philp 4:4)!
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