Bible Study
Background
Humility is the quality of having a modest view of one’s importance. It is meekness, lowliness and absence of self. Bible meaning of humility point to; godliness, trusting fully in the Lord, fear of the Lord, unconditional love, obedience and submission to God, leaning on God, praying to God, turning to God for help, being lowly and meek. Three immediate benefits of combining humility with the fear of the Lord are riches, honor and a long life (Proverbs 2:24).
Humility is a virtue every Christian should possess and it should not be dependent on anything or anyone. We are to express humility towards God, the elders and everyone. Being humble helps us submit and serve under authority, as guided by the Word of God.
“In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves.“
Philippians 2:3 ERV
If you are wondering how exactly to become humble or if you are interested in assessing your ‘humility threshold’, there are 15 tips listed in Part IV of this study that can help.
False Humility
“True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.” Proverbs 22:4. NLT
If Proverbs 22:4, speaks of true humility, then there can also be false humility.
False humility is actually pride in disguise. People who intentionally devalue or belittle their achievements, contributions or worth may be struggling with false humility.
Falsely humble persons struggle with giving commendation or rendering an apology, however, they expect frequent commendations, approvals, apologies and recognition from others.
Sometimes society and culture can encourage false humility by consciously or unintentionally setting socially acceptable standards for behaviors. People are therefore forced to behave and act according to the traditions and customs of men.
True humility puts others first, usually with no ulterior motive. Meaning that there is no self-interest or anticipated personal gain in true humility. True humility is calm, natural and continuous. A person feigning to be humble, soon loses interest in appearing humble as soon as the object of their interest is removed or when circumstances change. There is usually no genuine sense of responsibility.
According to Colossians 2:18-23, false humility is often expressed by people with a legalistic mind, people who operate mainly by the basic principles of the world, clinging to earthly knowledge more than to the true inspiration that Christ gives. People who operate by the laws, traditions and doctrines of men that are often presented as ‘wisdom, respect, and/or honor’, but only deeply buried in religion and traditions. False humility by default is etched in deception and lies.
Surely, the reward for false humility will never be heavenly. If it only served an earthly purpose, then its reward would also be earthly. Surely not honor, not riches, not long life.
Like Jesus said in Matthew 6:2, when you operate by eye-service, certainly your only reward will come from the eyes you impressed, not from God. When our service, bowing, commitment is to God and not to man, our reward will surely be heavenly as well.
To strike a good balance between pride and self-confidence, be yourself. Resist any temptation to present or project yourself as something that you are not. Again, our 15 tips on how to be humble shared in Part IV can help here.
The Consequences of Pride
What can happen if we are not humble?
As already stated, false humility is pride in disguise. Therefore since the reward for false humility is earthly the result of pride is also not heavenly.
Pride leads to dishonor and poverty; true humility does not
If Proverbs 22:4 associates humility with honor, riches and a long life, then pride can deprive someone of honor, riches and a long life.
“True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.”
Proverbs 22:4 NLT
Pride will lead to dishonor and poverty.
“For the day of the Lord of hosts Shall come upon everything proud and lofty, Upon everything lifted up— And it shall be brought low—”
Isaiah 2:12 NKJV
“You will save the humble people; But Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down.” II Samuel 22:28 NKJV
“A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.” Proverbs 29:23 NKJV
Pride results in shame; humility brings honor
“When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2 NKJV
Pride destroys a person
“Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.” Proverbs 18:12 NKJV
The prideful shall be met with a lot of resistance
God resists the proud. Even men abhor prideful people. Prideful people are not teachable, they struggle to take corrections, they are often isolated from others.
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:6 NKJV
“These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.”
Proverbs 6:16-19 NKJV
Pride results in conflicts
“He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.”
Proverbs 28:25 NKJV
“Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.”
Proverbs 13:10 NLT
Prideful people do not seek God
Godlessness and lack of the fear of the Lord are results of being prideful.
“The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.”
Psalms 10:4 NKJV
Prideful people do not respect others
Because they overestimate their relevance, prideful people are often blinded to the values of others.
Friends, pride and false humility will do us no good. Let us put on humility as clothing, and relate with God and others from a lowly spirit.
“……Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
I Peter 5:5 NKJV
This is where we end today’s study, please join me again next Friday as we continue with the benefits of humility.
Stay Safe; In The Word and Covenant…..
