HUMILITY


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

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?


Copyright 2007 Linda Lawrence