STEP TWELVE – Exercise #9 Humility
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Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
What is humility?
The biblical definition of humility is “lowliness of mind” which is clearly a heart attitude and not an outward demeanour. Some people think they are humble by putting on an outward show of humility, but it is actually what is going on inside your heart that matters. True humility comes when we are consumed with awareness of another. Humility puts God and other people ahead of your own selfish interests.
Saying that you are humble is actually a perverted form of pride. Humility is to get your eyes off yourself and onto the one from whom and for whom and through whom all things are (1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16-20).
Read Luke 6:31-35 and explain in your own words what humility is:
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Jesus said that those who are “poor in spirit” will have the kingdom of God (Matthew 5:3). It means that you admit your spiritual bankruptcy as a sinner and that you come in humility, knowing you have nothing to offer Him but your sin and your need for salvation. We accept His grace and mercy in humble gratitude and commit our lives to Him.
Jesus is the ultimate example of what it means to be humble. We learn in Philippians 2 of His self-emptying servant nature. We find here the important principle in Scripture of, humility before honour, the cross before the crown.
Matthew 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Jesus didn’t selfishly cling to the outer expression of his divinity. Instead, he took the form of a servant. It is only when we are willing to be a servant that we avoid manipulating people to get what we want. We must serve not to be noticed by others but knowing that we will be rewarded one day in eternity (Ephesians 6:8).
Jesus also showed us humility through His obedience to the Father. We follow this example by submitting to God’s will and not trying to impose our will on Him. God promised to give grace to the humble, while He opposes the proud (Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:5). Therefore, we must confess and put away pride.
As you grow as a disciple, it is important that you grow in humility. Humility will enable you to have a teachable spirit. Pride will make you unteachable and you will never learn from Christ and others.
Read the following scriptures and jot down what you learn about how we are to exercise humility:
Romans 12:3 ________________________________________________________________
Psalm 115:1 _________________________________________________________________
John 13:1-5; 12-17 ____________________________________________________________
Romans 7:18 ________________________________________________________________
Humility means to consider other’s needs, to give up your personal “rights”, to serve others, to submit to God and His Word, and to ascribe all the good in your live to God.
Steps you can take
- Consider your life and pinpoint those areas of pride. Confess them to God and humble yourself before Him.
- Keep God’s grace in view. We are saved by grace and we live by grace. Everything we have we received by grace (1 Corinthians 4:7). Keep going back to the cross.
- Believe less in yourself and always trust in Him. The Bible does not teach someone who is bemoaning his weakness or inadequacy that he needs to start believing in himself. Our trust must always be in the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:5; Philippians 4:13).
- Memorize Philippians 2:3-5 and when you find yourself slipping back into responding in pride instead of humility, recite that verse to yourself, and turn it into prayer to God.
- Seek opportunities to serve others and put them before yourself.
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God’s glory should be our chief end. We glorify Him by serving Him with true humility in light of His gracious gifts to us.