Humility

Definition- Genuine biblical humility is derived from a true sense of one’s depraved and wretched condition, in the light of being saved by the grace of God.

HUMILITY– …the habitual frame of mind of a child of God is that of one who feels not only that he owes all his natural gifts, etc., to God, but that he has been the object of undeserved redeeming love, and who regards himself as being not his own, but God’s in Christ. He cannot exalt himself, for he knows that he has nothing of himself. The humble mind is thus at the root of all other graces and virtues. Self-exaltation spoils everything. There can be no real love without humility. “Love,” said Paul, “vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up” (1 Cor 13:4). As Augustine said, humility is first, second and third in Christianity. (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) 

 

1. Christ is the Christian’s supreme example- (*Turn to Philippians 2:3-8)

Matt 11:29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.. NASU

 

2. Biblical Examples-

King David– 1 Sam 24:14 “After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, a single flea? NASU (Humility is produced by understanding your low position)

Isaiah- Isa 6:5 Then I said,” Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” NASU

(Humility is always produced when one has a close encounter with God)

John the Baptist- Mark 1:7 And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. NASU

 

3. Humility is a fruit of the Spirit- Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. KJV

 

4. Humility is a natural outflow of the genuine Christian- (*Turn to Matt. 25:37-40)

 

5. Complete Humility is the evidence of the truly repented sinner seeking salvation-

Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. KJV

 

6. Humility is derived from living in the light of what the scripture declares about our own goodness- Ps 16:2 O my soul, you have said to the LORD, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.”  Ps 39:5 Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. NKJV

 

7. Humility is also derived from our own inability to change our helpless and worthless state-

 Isa 64:7 There is no one who calls on Your name, Who arouses himself to take hold of You; NASU

Rom 3:11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. NKJV

 

8. Humility is the key to keep your feelings from being hurt, and to keep you from  looking foolish before others- Prov 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. NKJV 

 

*Genuine Humility is only known through having experienced the humbling experience of salvation. Then the battle to fight pride begins!!!!

Alpheus