HUMILITY

To understand humility, first take a look at what God says about humility versus pride.

• Luke 14:11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
• James 4:6 ... Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."
• Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
• Proverbs 18:12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
• Psalm 25:9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

It is clear that God wants us to be humble - with humility, God lifts us up, gives us wisdom and honor, and He shows us His path for us. God opposes the proud, and they will be brought down.

• Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
• 1 Peter 5:5 ... All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."

Part of how people know you and recognize you is by the clothes you wear. Almost before anything else, they see what you are wearing. These verses tell us to clothe ourselves with humility. This means humility should be such a part of us, that when people see us, humility is what they are seeing, and what identifies us.

But, what is humility? What does it mean to be humble? What are you looking at when you see someone being humble?

Be careful about looking to tag different people as humble or prideful. Most people are not identified as a humble or prideful person, although there are some who could be. Most people have times of humility and times or pridefulness.

• Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
• Romans 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
• Proverbs 27:2 Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.

A key part of humility is having an accurate view of yourself, as God sees you. This is looking at yourself with sound judgment. Humility is not thinking less of yourself - it is looking at yourself accurately. Each person has different talents, personalities, shapes and sizes, yet every person is a gem before God. Each person was created by God with value - talents and abilities are just part of that picture.

There are 2 kinds of pride. One is a healthy pride, in who you are before God, in things you are able to do, and in what you have accomplished. But healthy pride is not holding that view up with a negative view of others. Unhealthy pride that the Scriptures condemns is bringing others down so you are lifted up. That attitude if often seen by how you talk about yourself.

• Gal 6:4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have {reason for} boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.

As mentioned before, most of us have moments of humility, and moments of pride. The bullseye we are aiming for is to have fewer moments of pride and more of humility.

• Philippians 2:5-8 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
• Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
• rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
• And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross!
• Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Jesus shows us the perfect example of humility. He lived in the heavens as God, and set that aside for us - He "humbled himself by becoming obedient to death."

The 2 greatest commandments are to love God and love people. God and people need to be our focus. Jesus showed us that humility is a focus on others, and it included every person.

Humility is having enough strength in who you are before God so you don't have to focus on yourself, and can focus on others. This focus needs to be towards all people, regardless of their looks, position, abilities, personality, whatever. You certainly will have friends that you are close to, but do you also have a focus on people, to help and lift up, regardless of who they are?

• Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
• not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

One thing exciting about these verses is that we are told part of our efforts and time can be with the things we enjoy and are interested in, whether it is entertainment, athletics, hobbies, etc. But in these things we need to avoid any selfish ambition, which really means at the sacrifice of others. Enjoy the things you enjoy, while being careful that others' interests are considered first.

This is the crux of humility. It is a focus on others, the second greatest commandment. This means that sometimes you need to sacrifice your own interests for the benefit of others. This means that sometimes you have to set aside what you enjoy so that others benefit, and maybe so they can do something they enjoy.

There needs to be a balance. It is healthy to spend time with the things you enjoy. But how much of your life is seeking the benefit of others? How often are you loving other people with humility?

Humility is viewing yourself with sound judgment as to your value as God sees you. Humility is being able to saying you are okay because God created you with talents and purpose. And then, humility is using your strength to bless others, because you value them and their interests. And, you are not selective in doing so with people you esteem, but you give to anyone God leads you to.

When you do that regularly, that is who people see. You are clothed with humility.