Some Thoughts on Humility

Laurie Warner / Receptionist

“He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Merriam Webster says that humility is “freedom from pride or arrogance: the quality of being humble. The state of being humble.” Also listed in the dictionary is the reference in Proverbs 11:2, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

It seems that one of the best ways to describe humility is to look at its opposite: pride. We see a lot of pride in our culture. It’s a “look at me” culture. “Aren’t I great!” A lot of self-exaltation. Humility is looked on as old-fashioned, not a virtue to aspire to. Get ahead! Make yourself known! It’s a part of the godless culture we live in. But we all know that Scripture says that “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5. Then in verse 6: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.” So, we are to humble ourselves. It doesn’t come naturally.

Jesus is the ultimate example of humility. He humbled himself to die on the cross. In Mark 10:43–45, Jesus says, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” In Matthew 11:29, He tells us to “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.”

So humility brings wisdom, rest for our souls, God’s favor, and God lifts us up. These are just a few of the promises that go with humility.