August 21, 2023
"They that know God will be humble, and they that know themselves cannot be proud." - John Flavel
What is humility and how does it affect our relationship with God?
Humility is mentioned all throughout Scripture. And no wonder, God is well-pleased with the humble. However, many have misconceptions about what humility entails. Contrary to what many believe, being humble does not mean weakness, but rather strength. Because by nature, humans are not humble it requires a special kind of self-control to exemplify humility. It goes without saying, that God honors the humble.
The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor, and life.
Proverbs 22:4 (NASB)
For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble,and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’
Isaiah 57:15 (NKJV)
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:4 (KJV)
Being humble brings us closer to God because it reflects the character of Jesus, who lived a perfect and humble life. When we humble ourselves, we are open to receiving God’s heart and mind. It helps us to become more like Him.
Humility allows us to experience a glimpse of heaven through sincere worship. Heaven belongs to those poor in spirit, and worship is the ultimate form of humility.
Humility is essential for spiritual growth and holiness- it leads to genuine repentance. So we see why God values humility and draws the humble ever closer to Him.
…for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Luke 18:14b (NKJV)
Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
James 4:10 (NASB)
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
Bible Characters Who Demonstrated Humility
Jesus
There has been no one more humble than Jesus. His life was one of humble service and sacrifice. Being the son of God, He came in the form of man to live a common, poor life that we might inherit the Kingdom as royalty. He lived, dined, and hung around sinners and criminals. He remained silent when falsely accused and even then, prayed for those who wronged Him. Christ chose a painful and humiliating death that God’s Name would be exalted.
And Jesus WAS exalted and rewarded by sitting at the right hand of the Father.
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens…
Hebrews 8:1 (KJV)
Humility goes before honor.
Proverbs 18:12b
The Bible promises a seat of honor, like Christ’s for those who conquer! Without humility, there is no recompense.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Revelation 3:21 (KJV)
Paul
Early on after his conversion, Paul referred to himself as the least of the apostles. No doubt, his past as a persecutor and murderer of Christians kept him humble throughout his ministry.
Furthermore, the Lord kept him humble through the unnamed illness he suffered without healing. The persecutions he had to endure and ultimate death, kept Paul a very humble man.
Moses
Though he had the opportunity to live in luxury and wealth, Moses chose to suffer with his people in poverty and hard labor. During his lifetime, he was considered the most humble man on earth.
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season…
Hebrews 11:24-25 (KJV)
His humility not only made him a great leader but He spoke to the Lord face-to-face! Out of hundreds of characters mentioned in the Scriptures, Moses encountered God in a way that nobody else had. Thousands of years before Christ would come and leave His Holy Spirit with us, Moses had already heard the voice of God, felt His presence, seen a glimpse of Him, and had a close relationship with the Lord no one else had. All because Moses humbled himself and obeyed the Lord.
The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.
Psalm 25:9 (NKJV)
David
David is perhaps one of the most humble men in the Bible. No wonder the Lord called him a man after His own heart. He wasn’t perfect but it was his humility to break down before the Lord after committing a sin that caught the heart of God. There is no true repentance without humility.
But David also respected authority even when that authority wanted his head on a plate! When demon-driven Saul was persecuting him in the desert, David had the opportunity to kill him on more than one occasion but he refused. Why? Because he acknowledged him as the Lord’s anointed. This, even after being anointed himself as the next king! Wow! This takes an extra special level of humility.
Ruth
Humility helps you make the right decision and follow the right people. This was the case with Ruth. Born pagan, adopted her mother-in-law’s God and reaped blessings far greater than she could have imagined. Humbled herself before Boaz, taking her place below his servants, and ended up married to the man and becoming an ancestor of Christ!
The Lord rewards humility, always.
All these characters had one thing in common, they were faithful. Faithful people are humble people.
The Bible teaches us about humility using different terms. These are; meekness, self-abasement, service, submission, lowliness, and self-abnegation. I want to delve deeper into these to gain a better understanding.
Meekness
Meekness is defined as strength held in check; wisdom; self-controlled; calmed mind displaying gentleness; not easily provoked. Strength, not weakness.
Many people have the wrong idea about meekness. They view it as a weakness with the misconception that it means submission to another. Although submission to someone else is not a weakness either, meekness is a sign of strength because it requires submitting human nature to the will of God.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
Colossians 3:12-13 (NKJV)
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Psalm 37:11 (KJV)
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5 (KJV)
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:23 (KJV)
Self-Abasement
To be self-abased is to lower oneself, humble oneself; degrade.
By degrade I don’t mean that you lower yourself to dirt. You know your value but you don’t elevate yourself above others. One such individual in the Bible who showed self-abasement was John the Baptist. He was aware of his inferiority next to Jesus. That doesn’t mean he stripped himself from all dignity but he knew who the son of God was.
John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Luke 3:16 (NKJV)
Another individual who illustrated self-abasement was Peter. According to church tradition, when he was about to be martyred for Christ, Peter requested to be crucified upside down because he didn’t feel worthy of dying as Jesus. (Acts of Peter)
Service
Jesus is the perfect definition and example of service. Scripture tells us that he came to live and die in obedience to the Father. He humbled Himself by doing the will of God and serving others. He lived as an example to humanity, if the son of God lived a life of service how much more must we?
Laying down His life for our salvation was His ultimate act of service.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45 (NASB)
Furthermore, Jesus took the form of a bondservant. That is, He served like one bond to a master (God). In so doing, He became a server to others. Wow, if this isn’t the truest definition of service, I don’t know what is.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:5-8 (NKJV)
With goodwill render service, as to the Lord, and not to people, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether slave or free.
Ephesians 6:7-8 (NASB)
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13 (NKJV)
Submission
Submission is accepting and yielding to the superior will or authority of another person. Christ lived in perfect submission to the Father. Women are called to submit to their husbands, in so doing they submit to God. And men are to submit to God. This requires humility.
“Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
Luke 22:42 (NASB)
Let me add that submission does not make you less, it makes you more. There is nothing more freeing than submission- it brings peace knowing that you are taken care of and removes responsibility from your shoulders.
Lowliness
Lowliness is used several times throughout Scripture and it simply means to be humble; free from pride.
The Greek word for it, ταπεινός (tapeinos) is defined as; not rising from the ground, brought low.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:29 (ESV)
Self- Abnegation
Self-abnegation in a nutshell means self-denial, self-sacrifice, to deny yourself in order to serve others.
Jesus denied Himself for us and calls us to do the same.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.’
Matthew 16:24
Self-abnegation is giving up the right to…
- Take revenge (Romans 12:19-20)
- Have a comfortable life (Luke 9:57-58)
- Be honored/served (Mark 10:42-45)
- Have a good reputation (Matthew 5:11)
- Live by your own rules (John 14:23-24, Matthew 16:24)
- Hold a grudge/ not forgive (Colossians 3:13)
- Put yourself first (Philippians 2:3-4)
- Rebel against authority (1 Peter 2:13-15)
Humility gets down to this.
It is submitting the flesh with its propensity for pride, to the will of God, which is to serve God by serving others with gladness, love, and gentleness.
How do we get there?
By constant communion with the Father. We become more like Him, the more time we spent with Him. It is done by asking Him to share His heart with us and mold us into His image. It’s a life-long process that culminates when we are perfected in Heaven. Meanwhile, let us pursue His character and submit our humanity into His able hands. He is the great potter!
