There was a time when humility was an important trait to have, but those days are long gone from today’s culture. Everything is about me: meeting my needs, what makes me feel good, being myself, getting what I’m entitled to, asserting myself, not letting anyone take advantage of me, etc. Everything is self-centered and focused on individual happiness above all else.
Unfortunately, it was that way when Jesus was living on earth, too. People put themselves first. They protected their own self-interests. They lived exactly the opposite of what Jesus taught. Over and over again Jesus taught humility, submission and service.
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us we should strive to be humble, noting, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). The original Greek used for “meek” is praus, and it means “being gentle of heart” and” behaving toward others with humility and consideration.”
This is the same thing the apostle Paul urges in his letter to the early church in Philippi. In Philippians 2:3, Paul urges Christians, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” How do we count others as more significant than ourselves, and why should we bother to do so?
What is humility? It can be quite tricky defining Biblical humility. It is described as a modest opinion or estimate of one’s own importance and rank. It means we realize we are no better than anyone else. Neither are we worse than others. It doesn’t have anything to do with wealth, appearance, intelligence, status, skills or talents, etc. Its recognizing we are on the same level as everyone else. Humility means acknowledging our total indebtedness and complete dependence on God for everything. Our humility is focused on our relationship with God. In Philippians 2:3, Paul takes it one step further. He says we aren’t to just see ourselves as equal to others, we are to see them as more significant than us.
This is not a Charlie Brown “woe is me,” “I can’t do anything right” attitude. It means making a free will choice to lift up others needs before our own and consider them as more important than ourselves. Paul is telling us to act like a servant, not a master.
Paul uses Jesus as our example of humbly considering others more important than us. Jesus did that by leaving heaven to come to earth as a human being, by going through everything we go through and by paying on the cross for our sins. in Philippians 2, he further urges the church to accomplish this by following Christ’s example of humility. Be “of the same mind,” verse 2 says, rejecting selfish concerns, wants, or needs. Be like Jesus, he said, and, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (v. 4). He’s echoing Christ’s words in Mark 12:31 to love your neighbor as yourself.
We are to be like Jesus. Even though He is God. He took on human form and went through all He did for us. He put our needs before His own. That is what He calls us to do as well. In Matthew 18, Jesus called a child over to him and told his disciples they must become like children — lowly. Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4). Jesus put this in action by condemning the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, of telling His followers to be a humble servant (Matthew 223:11-12) and be like a child in faith and trust. He put it in operation by washing His disciples’ feet (John 13:13-17).
As He said, “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12). “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). “Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor” (Proverbs 3:34). “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (James 4:10). “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you” (1 Peter 5:6). Over and over, the message is clear: Humble yourselves. Serve God and serve others just like Jesus did.
How to be humble. Humility is an attitude, not just an action. It starts in our mind and that influences our actions. Humble actions without a humble heart is hypocrisy. Humility is our attitude to God, one of total dependence and complete trust. It is knowing we need Him and can’t do anything pleasing to Him on our own without Him. Sacrifice yourself for others. Share what you have. Give generously of your money, your time, and your talents. Don’t boast or celebrate your accomplishments. Serve and help others. Lift them higher than yourself. Share your food and your clothing, your money and your home. Share even if you risk hardship. Understand that we are all one, and nothing belongs to me alone. Listen well, ask questions, admit when you’re wrong, and don’t worry about your status or earning respect. Save the highest respect for the only one worthy: the Lord.
Would those who know you say you are humble? Would God?
Pray about how you can apply all of this to your own life, in whatever setting you work or live.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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