God's Exquisite Garden

HUMILITY

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The word humility means a lack of false pride. Another definition is a modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance or rank.


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It is so true, an humble rural individual who serves the Lord is better off than a distinguished, intelligent person who is neglecting his soul. When people know themselves well, they examine their lives carefully. They do not want the high praise of men, but the satisfaction of living their lives pleasing to the Lord.

We read in I Corinthians 1:31,"... as it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the Lord. '"

We all have seen people who have become knowledgeable and then soon also become proud. Even if a person is knowledgeable about different things, he should also realize there is much he does not know. People need to understand, the more they know the harsher judgment they will receive.

When we think of ourselves as unworthy, at all times thinking good of others, this is the greatest wisdom. The great apostle Paul said in I Timothy 1:15," This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. "

No one is worthy of the enormous sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us in our behalf, in that He lay down his life for mankind that they might live.

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each a measure of faith.
Romans 12:3(NKJV)

Humility is a state of mind and an outstanding Christian grace. With humility, we can keep our souls in serenity and with it patience is forged in us during trials. We read in Philippians 2: 6-8 about the humility of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is our supreme example of humility.

In Job 22:29 we find," When they cast you down, and you say, 'Exaltation will come ', Then he will save the humble person. "

An excellent example given to us in the Bible is the parable of the publican. Luke 18:13 ," And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner.'"

The Pharisee only wanted to impress other people. We should be as humble as the tax collector and not proud as the Pharisee was. Yes, the Pharisee was probably wealthier and better dressed than the tax collector. The tax collector was humble.

I Samuel 16:7, "For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." We should ultimately want to please God.


When we approach God in prayer, we want to do so with the proper attitude. That correct attitude would be humility. If we have God dwelling in our hearts and working through us in our lives, we will strive to be humble at all times. It will cause us to be dependent upon God and not ourselves or anything manmade. We will realize His great sacrifice and truly understand all He has done for us. We will be humbled with this knowledge. Obedience to the Lord's commands will humble us.

Do you remember the story of Naaman? In 2 Kings 5:13 we read," And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said,' My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, Wash, and be clean? '"

Naaman, who was commander of the army in Syria, had the dreaded disease leprosy. A servant girl told him of Elisha, who was a prophet of God. Elisha was in Samaria. When Elisha told Naaman to dip seven times in the muddy Jordan River, Naaman wanted to dip himself into a cleaner river. Elisha told him it had to be the Jordan River. When Naaman dipped six times he still had leprosy. But, the seventh time, Naaman was cleansed of his leprosy.

Our pride is challenged when we humbly accept the love of God. The example of Naaman shows us how we're to humbly obey God's commandments just as He tells us, not as we feel it should be done. Our gratitude for God will only be increased by humility, and when we truly see God's magnificence we are humbled in His sight. Humility will give us a deeper realization of our unworthiness. As Jesus Christ, our supreme example served others with humility, so should we strive to follow Him.

When we look at the impressive, majestic works of our Lord, we are humbled in His sight. We get a clearer sense of our own worth when compared to the marvelous works of God. Psalm 8: 3-4," When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of Man that you visit him? "

Let nothing be done with selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Philippians 2:3(NKJV)

And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 23:12(NKJV)

And he sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."
Mark 9:35(NKJV)

And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”
Luke 9:48(NKJV)

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8(NKJV)

Humility is a state of mind and an outstanding Christian grace. With humility, we can keep our souls in serenity, and with it patience is forged in us during trials. We read in Philippians 2: 6-8 about the humility of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is our supreme example of humility.

In I Samuel 18:15-18 we see how David was humble as he was being praised. Are we able to stay humble while being praised by others?

A three-way mirror has few things that are as humbling as it is.

Discussion and study questions:
(1) In our spiritual life, why is humility considered a considerable element?
(2) What form of service does our Lord prefer?
(3) Is God happy when I perform tasks for Him to show off before others?
(4) If God made me as I am, why is it necessary to be humble?

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Copyright 2007 Linda Lawrence

Lessons in this Series

About The Author

Print Version of All Lessons


Lesson 1
Attitude


Lesson 2
The Mind of Christ


Lesson 3
Imitate Christ


Lesson 4
Communication


Lesson 5
Taming the Tongue


Lesson 6
Our Legacy


Lesson 7
Compassion


Lesson 8
Confidence


Lesson 9
Courage


Lesson 10
Gossip


Lesson 11
Honesty


Lesson 12
Profanity


Lesson 13
Improper Language

. .

Lesson 14
Faith


Lesson 15
Encouragement


Lesson 16
Humility


Lesson 17
Assurance


Lesson 18
Perseverance


Lesson 19
Strength to
Endure Suffering


Lesson 20
Grieve Not
The Spirit


Lesson 21
Understanding


Lesson 22
Knowledge


Lesson 23
Wisdom


Lesson 24
Purity in Heart


Lesson 25
Trust


Lesson 26
Obedience

. .

Lesson 27
Happiness


Lesson 28
Contentment


Lesson 29
Optimism


Lesson 30
Inner Peace


Lesson 31
Self-Control


Lesson 32
Our Example


Lesson 33
Patience


Lesson 34
Concern


Lesson 35
Testing Of Our Faith


Lesson 36
Mercy


Lesson 37
Grace


Lesson 38
Problems Concerning
Failure


Lesson 39
Practical Results

. .

Lesson 40
Good Works


Lesson 41
Women Teachers
in Bible Times


Lesson 42
Women Teachers
Today


Lesson 43
Having
Good Friends


Lesson 44
Choosing a Husband


Lesson 45
Choosing a Wife


Lesson 46
The Exemplary Daughter
Part 1


Lesson 47
The Exemplary Daughter
Part 2


Lesson 48
The Ideal Mother
Part 1


Lesson 49
The Ideal Mother
Part 2


Lesson 50
The Home As God
Would Have It
Part 1


Lesson 51
The Home As God
Would Have It
Part 2


Lesson 52
Impurity,
. .

Lesson 53
Marriage As God
Would Have It
Part 1


Lesson 54
Marriage As God
Would Have It
Part 2


Lesson 55
The Virtuous Woman
Part 1


Lesson 56
The Virtuous Woman
Part 2


Lesson 57
The Virtuous Woman
Part 3


Lesson 58
Love


Lesson 59
Morality


Lesson 60
Pride & Haughtiness


Lesson 61
Kindness


Lesson 62
Respect


Lesson 63
Modesty


Lesson 64
Lying


Lesson 65
Lewdness

. .

Lesson 66
Incomprehensible
God


Lesson 67
Unsearchable
Riches


Lesson 68
Infinite God


Lesson 69
Holiness of God


Lesson 70
Righteousness
of God


Lesson 71
Attendance


Lesson 72
Omnipresence
of God


Lesson 73
Omniscience
of God

. .










25600: Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness, Updated Edition Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness, Updated Edition
By Andrew Murray / Bethany

When Jesus "made himself nothing ... taking the nature of a servant," He modeled for all believers true humility. Murray calls this "our true nobility" and "the distinguishing feature of discipleship." In twelve brief but powerful chapters, Murray journeys through Scripture and Christ's life, underscoring the utmost need for humility---as opposed to pride---in the Christian's life. With insightful, penetrating clarity, Murray calls all Christians to turn from pride, empty themselves, and study the character of Christ to be filled with His grace. Often called the best work on humility ever written, this edition has been edited for today's reader.

903003: Nurturing a Heart of Humility: A Woman After God's Own Heart  Series, Mary Nurturing a Heart of Humility: A Woman After God's Own Heart Series, Mary
By Elizabeth George / Harvest House Publishers

Mary, the mother of Jesus, lived in humble obedience to the will of her heavenly Father. From the angel Gabriel's announcement of God's plan for her, through the adversities presented by Christ's work on earth, Mary exhibited both courage and humility. In this study, women will walk beside Mary the teenager...the wife...the mother...the widow...the church member. Women of all ages will discover how to: sustain a humble spirit with overflowing prayer; hold God's assurances deep within; and walk humbly through good times and bad with a heart fixed on God.


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