Humility (part 3)

The topic for this week’s blog’s has been humility. Humility has been defined as “the quality or condition of being humble; the state or quality of being humble; a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride, and a humble feeling (http://www.freedictionary.com)/.” While reading this definition, other words were listed, which express the antithesis of humility. Words like “pride, vanity, superiority, arrogance, and conceit.” Sometimes it is helpful if we understand the opposite meaning of a word, if we want to fully grasp the true definition. If we want to walk in humility, then it’s good for us to understand what it means to live with pride.

On countless occasions, the Bible warns us against the sin of pride, while it also urges us to be humble. God’s Word tells us that if we live with pride then we are bound to be disgraced and fall in to destruction. Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” The current condition of the world that we live in is the result of sin, and pride is one sin that should not be overlooked. In an effort to attain wealth, become famous or well known, get noticed, be admired, and so forth, the root of these desires can be traced back to pride. Once pride takes a hold of someone’s life, then it is very easy for them to forget about God and lean on their own understanding. As a matter of fact, Proverbs 10:4 says, “In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.”

Children are emulating the ways of the world, and these are not the influences that Christian’s want for the next generation. The best role model we can provide is to live with humility that glorifies and magnifies God. We have to step up to the plate, be the example, and the lead the way of righteousness, even if other Christian’s aren’t doing so. We need to rid our own lives of pride and make every effort to stand firm in our faith, especially in this day and time. If we want to work together with the Lord and remain in His will, then we have to seek out humility. When we choose pride and arrogance over being humble, then we work against others, against ourselves, and most importantly against God. God opposes or resists us, when we are proud.

1 Peter 5:5 says, “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Colossians 3:12 tells us, “As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” We need to put on the garment of humility every morning, like we put on our clothes. Our spiritual clothes are much more important. When we put something on, that means that we make a conscious effort to wear it. We can put on pride, just like we put on humility, so tune in and be aware of your behavior. Proverbs 3:34 says, “He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.” Not only does God resist the proud, He mocks them. However, we see that when we are humble, God gives us grace. This means that we receive God’s unmerited favor. We cannot earn His grace. His grace is a gift, but when we choose to live humbly, God will pour out His favor upon our lives.

The Bible says that God “guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way (Psalm 25:9).” If we want to know God’s will and plan for our lives, walk in it, and live for His glory, then we have to humble ourselves before Him and others. It’s not always an easy thing to do, but if we want to remain in His will, then we need to strive for excellence. This doesn’t mean that we won’t fail or sin, because none of us are perfect. It only means that we desire what God desires, and we put His will above our own. Being humble means that we are selfless, we put God’s will first, we remove vanity, arrogance and conceit from our heart, and we consider the needs of others. The Bible instructs us, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3).”

Jesus instructed us to imitate Him, if we want to walk in humility. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Another example He gave of humility is found in Matthew 18:4 when Jesus said, “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” We need to allow the Holy Spirit to renew our hearts and minds, in order to return to a childlike innocence. We need to humble ourselves, like little children, and do the will of Our Father. Fix your eyes on Jesus, and dwell on the good things of God. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8).” We can exercise humility in our lives on a daily basis. God gives us new mercy each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), and we always have the opportunity to make a fresh start with Jesus.

There is power in humility. “We should not mistake humility for timidity (Beth Moore).” Being humble does not mean that we allow people to use us, abuse us, mistreat us, or disrespect us. It is very important that we maintain healthy boundaries in our lives and keep toxic relationships at bay. Jesus was humble and His life was lived walking in perfect humility. However, He was extremely powerful, He had great authority, and He did not shy away from being blunt when hard hearted hypocrites were living wicked lives, while claiming righteousness. We can’t forget that Jesus overturned the money tables of the Jews who were making business deals in the house of God. We can’t forget that Jesus told the Pharisees that they were like white washed tombs full of dead men’s bones, because of their hypocrisy. We also see the power of humility in 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says, “if my people, who are called by my name, will 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.” God tells us hear that if we will humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from wickedness, then He will hear us, forgive our sin and heal our land. That is powerful! Can you imagine the change and impact that we could make in the world if we humbled ourselves collectively and prayed for our city, our state, our nation, or our world?
We see on numerous occasions in the Bible how the Lord turned from His anger and from destroying people, because they chose to humble themselves before Him. 2 Chronicles 12:7 says, “When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: ‘Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.’” 2 Chronicles 12:12 says, “Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the Lord's anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed. Indeed, there was some good in Judah.” 2 Chronicles 33:12-13, “In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.” 2 Chronicles 34:27, “Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord.”

Power is present, when humility is present. Not only will God tune His ear even more so to your cry, requests, praises, and so on, but He has the power to save you and others, as well as lift you up. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted (Matthew 23:12).” When you humble yourself, God’s favor will appear everywhere in your life. You will see the desires of your heart come to pass. Good health will replace poor health. Promotion and increase will occur in your life. Your prayers will be answered. You will wear the blessings of the Lord like a crown on your head (Proverbs 10:6)! Most importantly, when you humble yourself before God and others, you will be living in obedience to the Lord. So, “humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time (1 Peter 5:6).” The path of righteousness is not always an easy path to take. As a matter of fact, it can sometimes be very difficult and even lonely, but God is able to strengthen and sustain you, so that you can press on. Psalm 147: 6 says “The Lord sustains the humble.”

I encourage you today to seek the Lord. Submit yourself to His will and plan for your life, and turn away from whatever is holding you back from having a deeper relationship with Him. Humble yourself before the Lord, and He will lead you, guide you, hear you, answer you, heal you, and bless you and those that you pray for. “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger (Zephaniah 2:3).”