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Choose to Be Humble

The other day, I bumped into a Christian friend who had recently been to a Bible study. One of the topics which had come up in the discussion was “humility.” Apparently, the group had spent a considerable amount of time on it, to the considerable irritation of my friend. She doesn’t value humility too highly largely because, she explained, it is reactive. Something, usually bad, happens and then you demonstrate humility in response to it.

That’s certainly true, but humility as the Bible discusses it, goes deeper. It’s a character issue. Even the most proud person can drum up a humble response when it’s to his or her advantage. Humility as we see it in the life of the Lord Jesus, for example, is a characteristic. It’s about attitude as well as action.

Humility is a challenge even for the most seasoned saint. Perhaps it is the particular pitfall of such people. The more we think we have a handle on the Truth and how to apply it, the more susceptible we are to pride’s subtle attraction.

As a concept, humility is hard to define, though it’s not too difficult to point to specific examples. The Lord Jesus is often put forward as the only perfect example of humility. So we’ll look to Him to provide the guidance we need to understand what we are called to when we read things like “be clothed with humility.” (1 Peter 5:5)

Humility arises from a realistic view of oneself, particularly in relation to God. In His incarnation, the Lord Jesus was the only human who had an accurate understanding of Himself. He was perfectly self aware. Perhaps the greatest act of humility before the cross was the washing of the disciples’ feet. That event is prefaced with the comment “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.”

If we have too grand a view of ourselves we will be reluctant to serve others, particularly those who have no benefit to offer us. If we have a debased view of ourselves, we are likely to fall into the trap of “false humility” which keeps us from serving effectively because we see ourselves as “unworthy” or, perhaps worse, we don’t serve because we insist on waiting to be coaxed and affirmed before we take the risk.

Humility is closely tied to submission, something we may admire in others but loathe in ourselves. When others bow to our will, we see them positively. When we bow to others we are likely to curse ourselves as weak and them as overbearing, unless, of course, we are humble. In that case, with our realistic view of ourselves before God and in the social hierarchy, we willingly take the lower place.

It is safe to say that humility is the basis for all spiritual growth. It brushes aside hindrances to faith, opening us to the truth of the Gospel. As it replaces our natural human pride, it shows us our spiritual poverty and prompts us to acknowledge our sin, receive forgiveness and experience Grace.

As we mature in faith we see that from humility springs patience, the willingness to wait for God’s timing to fulfill our needs and desires and to exalt us as He deems right for us. Patience keeps us from rushing ahead of God in our own strength as we attempt to secure material advantages for ourselves. Patience puts us in the right place at the right time to receive the blessings of God in our lives. Blessings we would miss if we were occupied with meeting our own needs.

Before we finish talking about humility, let me expand on something to which I alluded earlier. We could call this false humility or “excess humility.” This is as damaging to one’s person and service as the lack of humility. Though it’s practitioners would heartily deny it, this excess humility is really another kind of pride. It’s aim is to puff us up with flattery. Not only is it bad for us, it’s bad for those we manipulate into playing the game with us.

In conclusion, we see that humility consists of a few main themes.

Humility is a choice in that we all miss the mark. Some overshoot, demonstrating pride and an imperious attitude toward others. Some come in low, unable to accept themselves or the fact that others may be able to accept them. Humility is of the utmost value to Christians because it makes them more like Jesus. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:10

Ron Hughes
© June 2009