OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Play the video “Danger of Pride.”
INTRODUCTION: Godly humility, a theme woven deeply into the fabric of Scripture, represents a fundamental aspect of the Christian life. Unlike worldly humility, which often centers on self-deprecation or false modesty, godly humility is rooted in acknowledging God's sovereignty and our dependence on Him. It involves recognizing our own limitations and sinfulness, resulting in a life lived in service to God and others. This understanding of humility is vividly portrayed in both the Old and New Testaments, offering believers a blueprint for cultivating a humble heart.
In Proverbs 22:4, the writer links humility with the fear of the Lord, stating that it leads to riches, honor, and life, highlighting the value that God places on a humble spirit. The prophet Micah similarly articulates God's requirements for His people in Micah 6:8: "To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." This reflects the understanding that genuine humility is inseparable from our relationship with Christ.
The ultimate example of godly humility is found in Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:5-8 vividly describes His mindset, emphasizing how, despite being in very nature God, He did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage. Instead, Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.
Through this act of ultimate humility, Jesus sets the standard for His followers, illustrating that godly humility involves self-sacrifice, obedience to God, and placing the needs of others above our own.
In essence, godly humility is an outpouring of a heart that recognizes God's greatness and our need for Him. It eschews pride and self-reliance, calling instead for a life of surrender, service, and adoration of the One who, in His majesty, chose humility to redeem the world.
WHY DOES GOD BUILD HIS HUMILITY IN US?
God's desire to build humility in His people is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. This focus on humility is based on the recognition that pride separates us from God, while humility draws us closer to Him. Several scriptures point towards why God values humility, illustrating its importance and the benefits it brings to individuals who embody this trait.
1. TO REFLECT CHRIST’S CHARACTER AND EXAMPLE:
• Micah 6:8 underscores the importance of humility in living a life pleasing to God: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
• Philippians 2:5-8 highlights Jesus as the ultimate example of humility, emphasizing His self-emptying and servant nature, despite being in divine form. This passage encourages believers to have the same mindset as Jesus Christ, promoting humility as a core aspect of Christian character.
2. TO DEEPEN OUR RELIANCE ON AND RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:
• James 4:6-10 focuses on the grace that God gives to the humble, contrasting it with the opposition the proud face from God. This passage teaches that humility draws us closer to God, deepening our dependence on Him and enhancing our relationship with Him.
• Proverbs 3:34 reiterates, “He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.” This verse aligns with the theme that God desires a close relationship with those who are humble.
3. TO FOSTER GENUINE FELLOWSHIP AND UNITY AMONG BELIEVERS:
• Ephesians 4:2-3 advises believers to be "completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love," highlighting humility as essential for maintaining unity and peace within the Christian community.
• Philippians 2:3-4 encourages believers not to act out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but to consider others better than themselves, emphasizing humility as the foundation for genuine relationships and communal harmony.
HOW DOES GOD BUILD HIS HUMILITY IN US?
God uses various methods to build humility in us, always working for our good and His glory. Through Scripture, we see how God fosters humility in His people—not as punishment, but as a way to transform our hearts, deepen our trust in Him, and make us vessels for His purposes.
1. THROUGH DISCIPLINE AND CORRECTION
God disciplines His children as part of His loving plan to correct pride and nurture humility.
• Hebrews 12:10-11: “They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time... Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” God’s correction keeps us humble by pointing us back to Him.
• Proverbs 3:11-12: “Do not despise the Lord’s discipline… because the Lord disciplines those He loves.” Humility grows when we accept discipline as an act of God’s love and care.
2. BY EXPOSING OUR LIMITATIONS
God humbles us by showing us our dependence on Him and reminding us that we are finite beings in need of His infinite grace.
• John 15:5: Jesus reminds us, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” This truth builds humility by tearing down self-reliance and pointing us to complete trust in Him.
• Isaiah 64:8: “We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Recognizing God as the Creator cultivates humility, as it helps us see our limitations and His sovereignty.
3. BY TEACHING US TO TRUST AND SURRENDER
Trusting God and surrendering our plans builds humility by demonstrating that His ways are better than ours.
• Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Humility grows as we submit our reasoning and plans to God's wisdom and timing.
• Luke 22:42: Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” This act of surrender in Gethsemane shows that humility involves yielding to God’s will, even in the face of suffering.
APPLICATION:
Applying godly humility in our daily lives involves intentionally aligning our hearts with God’s will, surrendering pride, and recognizing our dependency on Him. A personal commitment to humility means choosing gratitude over entitlement, servanthood over self-interest, and trust over self-reliance. As Jesus said in Matthew 20:26-28, “...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” Following Christ’s example, we can reflect humility by serving others without expecting recognition or reward.
Finally, humility asks us to constantly check our motives. Are we living in a way that honors God and serves others, or are we seeking personal recognition? As Paul emphasized in Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” By living with this mindset daily—whether at work, in our families, or in our communities—we can cultivate godly humility and glorify God through our actions.
