Walking in Humility before and unto God
Ask yourself this, “What comes to my mind when I think of Humility?!
Some may say one who displays a self-abased nature. Some may say a person who doesn’t think of themselves as important. A person who is modest in their own self-worth and estimation. Yet others may say a person who seems free from self-pride and arrogance.
If these are your first thoughts about humility, you are not far off from the truth. We all have demonstrated from time to time certain character traits of humility. I’m sure a few of these traits will resonate with you:
* Being down-to-earth * Quiet
* Demure *Modest
* Meek *Deference
*Lowly in spirit and conduct *Passive
Just to name a few.
Humility is an essential characteristic for followers of Christ. The Holman’s Bible Dictionary describes humility this way: A personal quality in which an individual shows dependence on God and respect for other persons.
The word humility comes from the Latin word humus, which means earth or ground, which is beneath us.
God’s Word defines humility as “The Fear of The Lord” as in Proverbs 22:4 - “By humility and the fear The Lord are riches and honor and life.”
This “Fear” God speaks about in the Scripture text above is not about being afraid, but about having a holy reverence unto God, living a life devoid of pride, self-praise, and arrogance, and practicing meekness before all men as unto The Lord.
Two basic Scriptures about humility: James 4:10 says “Humble yourselves in the sight of The Lord, and He shall lift you up.” 1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” Humility is a Grace from God that when honored, respected, and applied attracts more grace. Human pride and arrogance close that door to spiritual growth, but humility opens the door in our lives to more from God.
The riches, honor, blessings, and time in the form of long life to correctly enjoy them all are just some of the rewards God gives to the humble. He also gives spiritual gifts such as patience, peace, and gentleness to the humble. These spiritual gifts grow ONLY in the fertile soil of humility.
God's promises are yea and amen. His promises for humility are:
“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south, but God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Psalms 75:6
Luke 14:11 says “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
What did The Lord Jesus say about the Prayers of the Pharisee and the Publican in Luke 18:10-14? To summarize, the Pharisee prays to God from a high-handed, self-exalted, prideful, and arrogant heart position.
*I am NOT an extortioner, adulterer, unjust, or even this Publican.
*I fast twice a week and give tithes from all I possess.
This is the type of heart attitude before God that leads to self-destruction. “Pride goes before a fall and a haughty spirit before destruction (Proverbs 18:19)
Whereas the Publican smote his chest, barely lifts his head up, a sign of humility with reverence, and asks God to have mercy on him a sinner! The Lord Jesus said, “This man went home justified whereas the Pharisees did not.”
Matthew 21:44 says “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” When we choose (elect to make a “Free-Will”, pre-mediated and determined choice) to humble ourselves before Almighty God and yield, submit, and surrender ourselves unto His Word, His Will, according to His Way we will be truly raised and elevated in due season.
If we elect to rebel, be stubborn, obstinate, and NOT yield, submit, and surrender unto God and His Word, Will, and His Ways, we will surely find ourselves under the stone that has fallen on us, grinding us to powder.
Let’s briefly look at King Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation written in Daniel 4:25-35. Please read it at your leisure. God humbled him and brought him to his knees, humbled him, then when God saw that he had truly and sincerely humbled himself in his heart, God raised him up again.
Here are 7 Identifiable Character Traits of Humility:
Humble people trust God. (They respect and never second guess God’s judgments in their
lives.) Romans 9
Humble people are always in awe of God’s Grace and Benevolence towards them. Romans
6:23; Psalms 116:12-19
Humble people eagerly and wholeheartedly love to rejoice and celebrate with others about God’s goodness in others’ lives. Romans 12:15
Humble people would rather be silent and spare their words as opposed to being perceived or judged as a “Know-it-all” by others unjustly. Proverbs 3:7; Proverbs 17:27
Humble people have a teachable heart, desiring to learn more to improve themselves and be better. 2 Peter 3:18; 1 Corinthians 4:7
Humble people quickly forgive offenses because they sincerely respect and appreciate God’s forgiveness He has shown them. Colossians 3:12-14
Humble people demonstrate a Servant’s heart and attitude towards others. Galatians 5:13-14
Let us choose to live before all men as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering (Colossians 3:12 NKJV), and speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men (Titus 3:2).