I believe the world would be a better place if we could all exercise a little more humility in our day-to-day living. However, humility requires us to think just a little less of ourselves when dealing with others. In a world that tells us to be the best regardless of the cost. Also, encourages us to constantly look out for number one. That number one person is yourself. Humility only means you will be played or taken advantage of. Because, if you don’t get them first, they will get you. However, to believe in oneself as the best negates all the accomplishments of others. The Bible views humility differently. Let’s explore the Bible verses about humility and how Jesus was the greatest example of humility in the Bible.
Christ Jesus
The Lord Jesus Christ came down from heaven to come to earth filled with unimaginable sin. To walk amongst us knowing exactly who we were and what we were capable of doing to others. Jesus had no selfish ambition. He came from the kingdom of heaven in the likeness of men with a humble heart. The son of God only wanted to save the world, that is how much He loved us. While we were still sinners, He loved us enough to take on all our sins. This is the single greatest act of humility. All that He asked in return is that we love God and love others. We can only achieve these commands by taking up His cross. Surrendering our life, repenting, being baptized, and following Jesus to the best of our abilities. This is the only way to salvation. Hence, humbling ourselves like those who came before us in the many Bible stories.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 ESV
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV
Apostle Paul From Pride to Humility
The Apostle Paul was well-versed in the Scriptures. He had studied them all his life and achieved the status of a Pharisee. In his zeal, he persecuted the newly formed church of Christ Jesus. Then one day on the road to Damascus, Saul became Paul. His spirit of pride became a humble spirit before God. Jesus met him on the road and changed his life forever. He went on to become one of the most important Christian leaders to influence Gentiles during the early Christian church. His travels took him all over the eastern Roman Empire where he taught about the salvation of Jesus.
On that day Paul believed and allowed the Holy Spirit to give him a humble spirit. Paul went on to share the Good News of the New Testament. The Holy Spirit allowed him to take the Law of Moses and connect it to the Way of Christianity. Paul saw that Jesus was the Way to salvation, where the Law could not take us. Therefore, Paul learned about the grace of God in that one encounter with Jesus.
“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” Acts 9:1-2 ESV
“And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” Acts 9:5-6 ESV
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2 ESV
Joseph And Serving
Joseph was filled with pride and lauded it over his brothers. He had a dream that showed his brothers bowing before him as if he were a form of God. However, his human form was thrown into a pit to die. However, his brothers decided to sell him into slavery. Through this long journey into slavery, Joseph learned true humility. Through God’s grace, mercy, and timing Joseph rose to save Egypt and his family during a seven-year famine. Joseph never once placed his own interests above others but learned what his assignment was. He came to know what his dream meant. A humble person begins with the fear of the Lord. It enabled him to find wisdom in his circumstances. Hence, he realized even those who seek to do evil, those same deeds can be turned into good by God.
Joseph learned that the true road to humility and God’s grace was through testing, trials, and tribulations in order for him to be a blessing to others. Hence, his dream was not about others bowing down to him as it was about him being able to serve others in God’s time. Jesus came to us in the form of a servant at God’s perfect timing. He came to serve not to be served.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 ESV
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 50:20 ESV
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 ESV
Moses Was Meek
Moses was filled with humility. In the Old Testament, he was described as very meek, more than anyone else on earth. Moses was also very faithful to God. Therefore, God chose Moses to lead His people out of captivity. Time after time Moses humbled himself before God. In pleading for the lives of the Israelites when they sinned against God. Moses’s connection to the people was so deep that he was able to place the interests of others before his own blessings. He even asked God to remove his name from the Torah for the sake of the people of Israel. To want to remove one’s place of honor for the interests of others is one of the greatest act of humility. This is the foreshadowing of Jesus’ ultimate act of humility on the face of the earth. However, Jesus the king of heaven died for all.
Moses also humbled himself when his leadership was challenged. He always allowed the mighty hand of God to deliver him from his enemies. For instance, during the Korah Rebellion Moses falls on his face and allows God to answer the rebels in the morning. God would choose the leader. However, God not only chose the leader but destroyed the rebels and their families.
Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. Numbers 12:3 ESV
But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written. Exodus 32:32 ESV
And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods. Numbers 16:32 ESV
King Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride Before The Fall
In the Book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream about a tree being cut down. However, after the tree was cut, the roots would remain to flourish for the future. Daniel was called to interpret the dream. King Nebuchadnezzar was told that the tree represented his pride. God would cut down the tree to humble the king. This was to show King Nebuchadnezzar that God was sovereign over all. It was God alone who determined who was in power and who was not. The dream also said that he, Nebuchadnezzar would live amongst the beasts. God will determine who is exalted and who will be brought to the lowest place in their daily lives.
Jesus the perfect example of humility was exalted by God. Jesus humbled himself by taking on all our sins. The name of Jesus is in a place of honor in the kingdom of God.
““I saw in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold, a watcher, a holy one, came down from heaven. He proclaimed aloud and said thus: ‘Chop down the tree and lop off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it and the birds from its branches. But leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, amid the tender grass of the field. Let him be wet with the dew of heaven. Let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth.” Daniel 4:13-15 ESV
“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,” Philippians 2:9-10 ESV
Haughty Spirit, Humble Spirit
A lot of the time a haughty spirit allows us to convince ourselves that our own life is better. It is so easy to compare ourselves to those less fortunate and think we are better. We believe that the things we own make us so much better than others. We have somehow convinced ourselves that the things we accomplish also make us better than others who have not achieved as much.
God tells us that everyone has a purpose in life which is to work according to God’s will for us. For as much as we think we have accomplished, having a haughty spirit is not God’s will for us. Having a humble spirit is what God desires. There are Bible verses that teach us that a haughty heart leads to destruction.
A humble spirit requires us to have a true assessment of ourselves as compared to Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only example which we must try to emulate. Therefore, it is the Holy Spirit who dwells inside of us to remind us of the very nature God wants us to live by. We should pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, and gentleness. With God’s help, our spirit can be transformed to seek these things in the name of Jesus.
He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. Psalm 25:9 ESV
Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. Proverbs 18:12 ESV
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11 ESV
Becoming A Humble Person
To be humble means having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s own importance. You must be able to set aside our wicked ways and think like little children again. For in the eyes of our Heavenly Father, we are to be like children. We should humble ourselves to trust in Him and to rely on the grace of God.
We should not constantly seek the best seats in the house by assuming we are more important than others. Jesus encourages us to not think so much of ourselves. A person who constantly thinks this way has a lowliness of mind. Therefore, they will always walk in this world with a sense of entitlement. They run the risk of being humiliated when they are shown otherwise.
A humble person will esteem others. It is never placing yourself in front of others. It will require you to have consideration for others. This is the greatest character trait you can have as children of God. To love one another is the greatest example of humility commanded by God.
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; Matthew 11:25 ESV
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.” Luke 14:8-9 ESV
These things I command you, so that you will love one another. John 15:17 ESV
Jesus Commands Love
In the New Testament, our Lord Jesus Christ commanded us to love others as the Father loves us. As noted, above Jesus is the best example of the word humility. Why else would he humble himself to come to live with people who are mainly the opposite of humility? Jesus came to show us love so that when he commanded us to do the same, we would know exactly what He meant. If we are truly children of God, we will make this our daily memory verse and live this out daily.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34 ESV
We pray that God would transform our hearts and we would produce much fruit of the spirit. I hope that we will overflow with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Our measure of faith should be stepping out and showing love to those we know will never love us back.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
A lot of time is spent focusing on us, our problems, our jobs, and our relationships. Would you believe me if I told you when we take the time to focus on others, we allow God to focus on us? He will give us the peace and clarity we need to figure it all out. Hence, humble people are some of the most joyful people you will ever meet. For they are doing the will of the Father.
Recap
Will our humility count others more than we count ourselves? Yes, this is the purpose of humility. It is to humble ourselves like Jesus and care for our fellow man. Here are some takeaways. Use these steps to obtain a humble attitude. Let them help you execute God’s word. Allow them to transform your spiritual life.
- Read the Word daily.
- Memorize scripture.
- Let scripture dwell in your mind, heart, and soul.
- Do the hard work to transform your attitude.
- Pray each day before you leave the house that you will show love to all.
- Actively seek others in need.
- Pray for others.
- Encourages others.
- Spend time with others.
- Share your financial blessings with others.
Additional Reading:
What the Bible Says About Pride