The Characteristic Of Humbleness Series

Developing Christian Character

The Characteristic of

“Humility”

The Bible says in Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are high above the earth so are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.” The ways of God are different from the ways of man. If you want to live you must die, if you want to go up you must get down, if you want to be strong you must become weak, if you want in you got to get out. WHY because you are operating in a spiritual realm. In the natural realm if you want to be in the in crowd you must be around the in crowd to be noticed by them, but in the spiritual God said come out from among them and be ye separate and I shall receive you unto myself. Understand there is no more of an in crowd than the crowd that will go sweeping through the city. There is no more in crowd than that crowd that dwells in the secret place of the most high. There is no more of an in crowd than those that will be in the New Jerusalem. There is no more of an in crowd than those that are in the rapture. You want to be in the in crowd come out from among them.

We must understand that in order to go up we must go down, to be exalted, we must become abased, this is the prescription for spiritual success. The Bible says in 2nd Chronicles 7:14 “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and prayer, turn from their wicked ways, and seek my face then will I hear from heaven, I will forgive their sin, and heal their land.” This is concrete proof that God works when His people humble themselves. It is the promise of the Lord and He cannot lie.

Humbleness is the foremost of all characteristics required by the Word of God, yet many people do not seek this characteristic, they feel that humbleness is a sign of weakness; however, until we are humble there can be increase.

“Humility is probably the most unpopular virtue demanded by the gospel, yet until man is humble, no good thing can come from him no matter what he may do. The Lord can do such great things for us if we are humble, and so very little for us when we are proud.” Author Unknown

We must understand that nobody has ever been anybody in the Bible unless he has put into practice humility. We must understand that humbleness is primordial to our Christian development. The 11th chapter of Hebrews, which is called the Hall of Faith, is full of people who first and foremost humbled themselves and then were able to be used by God.

Humility is not a popular topic today because people associate it with weakness or a lacking backbone. It is seen as being an indication of spinelessness, a lack of aggression and forcefulness; the direct opposite of strength and positiveness.

Humility is a grace that is to be treasured. In James 4:6 says: “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

Proverbs. 15:33 says: “The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is Humility” Luke 14:11 says “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Humility is a love that reaches out to redeem our lives. It teaches us to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Christ. Micah 6:8. Humblenss is opposite to haughtiness and egotism. Not everyone is blessed with the characteristic of Humility. Humility is a characteristic, which permits us to do something for others without expecting something in return. It is doing a service that is done freely and willingly with Love, affection and friendship. The humble person is always mindful of his relationship with God. He seeks to please God by his every thought and action. Humility is not a weakness; it is strength, a knowledge and wisdom without equal. Humility is a love that is divine in nature and is an indication that Gods love lives in the heart.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:12 “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is Humility”

In James 1:19-20 we are admonished to “be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” Therefore the person with humility considers things quietly giving due consideration to every aspect of making his decision hurriedly. I saw a sign just the other day that said “He who thinks twice before saying nothing is wise.” The humble person has the time to listen, the wisdom to speak, and the patience to act, and they forever have their tongue under control, they think twice and speak once.