Written by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas.
What do you think of when you hear the word “humble” or “humility”?
Humility is defined as: not proud or arrogant… expressing an attitude of deference… modest… unpretentious… not looking at others as inferior to oneself (or not thinking of self as better than others).
Humility does not mean a person debases himself or puts himself down. It is possible to recognize our skills and strong points… and to be happy with our talents, but still be humble because we have an attitude of thankfulness for what we have, and we realize we are blessed. It gives us a healthy perception of ourselves.
In both the Old and New Testaments, humility is a quality to be desired. It is essential for establishing a right relationship with God and a healthy relationship with others. It also describes a character quality that properly and accurately values oneself while recognizing one’s sinfulness… sinfulness that is covered by the blood of Jesus Christ when we are immersed for remission of sins.
Humility does not demand everything go my way… it does not think first of self. Selfishness is one of humility’s opposites, because it puts self first.
When pregnant Hagar was told to return to Sarai and submit to her, she did (Gen. 16:9). Years later when Ishmael was laughing at Isaac, and he and Hagar were sent away (Gen. 21), we have no record of her rebelling or arguing, but in humility she took the provisions Abram gave her and left.
Moses shows his humility when God is angry with the Israelites and threatens to destroy them and start anew with Moses, and Moses pleads with Him not to do it (Ex. 32).
Twice David stopped his men from killing Saul (1 Sam. 24, 26) saying, "I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the LORD's anointed" (24:10b). David was much loved, and he could have done it and become king, but he chose to let God be in control.
John (the Baptizer), cousin of Jesus, had quite a following, but he said about Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
Jesus is our ultimate example in humility. On the night He was betrayed, He took a towel and basin of water and washed His disciples’ feet… knowing Judas would betray Him, Peter would deny Him, and they all would run except for John (John 13).
Paul wrote: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped (held on to), but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:5-8).
James, the brother of Jesus, wrote: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
Proverbs 11:2 tells us: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”
Isaiah 66:2 reads, “All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”
In Philippians 2:3 we read, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
Ephesians 4:1, 2 reads, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”
Colossians 3:12 tells us, “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”
Micah 6:8 says, “What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
It’s easy for us to want our way, to demand our rights, to want to be noticed.
In Luke 14 Jesus tells a parable about choosing a seat of honor at a banquet, then being asked by the host to move, because that seat was for someone else. In verse 11, Jesus says, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
As we give honor to others, people will notice, and most importantly, we will be pleasing our Heavenly Father.
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