Humility in the Bible is different than how the world views it. The dictionary defines it as having a modest or low view of your importance. But humility is a good thing.
Being humble isn’t thinking lowly of ourselves. It is about thinking of others first. I shared about this in Is your Ambition: Selfish or Selfless? And the key verse describes what humility looks like:
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3-4 ESV
Humility in the Bible and what it’s not
The opposite of humility is pride. It leads to destruction and a downfall (Proverbs 16:18 ESV). We may not see the bad effects of pride in others’ lives but we can definitely see how it affects us.
Pride is such a bad thing that it is stated in scripture that it is in the list of character traits that God hates (Proverbs 8:13 ESV). Since God is love (1 John 4:8 ESV), this is telling of how much God dislikes pride. It is the complete opposite of what He desires in us and for us.
Disgrace is the result of pride, but those who are humble have wisdom.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2 ESV
These prideful outcomes are not pretty. Humility is looking better all time!
Rewards of Humility
Honor is one reward of humility. This honor begins with a healthy fear of the Lord and reverential awe of who He is.
Yet there is more to the fear of the Lord. A person who fears the Lord wants to act in ways that honor God and hate what is evil. So a person who fears God and hates evil will also hate pride, as God does.
This verse describes how honor comes from humility.
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 15:33 ESV
This verse means so much to me. A week before my job change a few years back, I read this verse and broke down crying in prayer. You can read more about that story here. I believe that God was stripping me of the pride in my life so that I could accept the humble tasks ahead of me.
And another verse in Proverbs about this benefit.
Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 18:12 ESV
A second reward is riches and life.
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
Proverbs 22:4 ESV
A humble person will be blessed. He or she may have financial riches but if not, spiritual riches of grace, mercy, and eternal life are riches that will definitely be pouring over him or her.
A Lifestyle of Humility
Humility is something that we should put on and wear daily as part of our work or play clothes.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 ESV
Besides wearing it daily, we should seek and strive for it. Look for ways that you can have a humble attitude.
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.
Zephaniah 2:3 ESV
Each day as we do the work that God has called us to do, we need to be examples of humility.
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2 ESV
And again. Clothe or put humility on yourself.
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
1 Peter 5:5-6 ESV
When we do that, we will be exalted or honored and it will come, in due time!
Humble Examples
Paul served many people in the churches and suffered many trials. Through it all, he was a picture of humility.
Serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;
Acts 20:19 ESV
Jesus was the ultimate example of humility. He is fully God but humbled himself to be in a man’s body. Then He suffered a criminal’s death even though He was a perfect person (Philippians 2:6-8 ESV).
May we strive to be like Jesus and Paul by putting on and seeking humility daily.
Humility in the Bible: Reflection Thoughts
- What verses about humility mean the most to you?
- How can you apply these verses to your daily life?
- Take time to pray about how you can “put on” humility as part of your wardrobe today.
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