The Way Of Humilty

As many of you here know, we have been studying the book of Proverbs since February in a series called Wisdom that Works. So far this month we have talked about the power of words, fulfilling friendships, last week we heard about wisdom for anger and today, we come to the subject of the way of humility.

Why is humility an important topic? As Andrew Murray wrote in the late 1800s, “Humility...is the first duty and the highest virtue of the creature, and the root of every virtue.” In other words, humility is not so much a grace or virtue along with others, it is the root of all virtues. The fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, can only grow out of a humble heart that is entirely dependent upon God.

Unfortunately, humility and the fear of the Lord are not the Zeitgeist of our time. Just as humility is the root of all virtues, pride, the loss of this humility, is the root of every sin and evil. Pride can be defined as rebellion against God because it attributes to self the honor and glory due to God alone.

We live in a narcissistic age where people of power and popularity are too impressed with themselves. If that’s not enough, the same people also convince us to be impressed with them as well.

Tim Keller said:

We are a self-absorbed culture - meaning we are more and more absorbed in doing whatever or pursuing whatever we believe will fulfill our own perceived needs.

This self-absorption is not just found outside of the church either. Murray had observed over a hundred years ago just how little humility was sought after as a distinguishing feature of a follower of Christ. But ironically, it is the only root from which the graces can grow. Humility is the condition for true fellowship with Jesus and the only condition by which we can be conformed into His image.

Prov 11:2 says,

When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom (BSB).

As I have mentioned earlier in this series, pride rears its ugly head when we refuse to accept our creatureliness; refuse to admit that we are limited, frail, fallen and dependent on God for our very breath. Pride does whatever it takes to preserve self and makes ourselves the sole source of our identity. John Stott summed it up this way: “Pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend.”

Proverbs 22:4

The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life (ESV).

If you think about it, even with all of the self- aggrandizement we witness today, it is the humble people that truly stand out from the rest of the pack. Even in the business realm, research has shown that humble bosses make the best bosses. According to a study found in Harvard Business Review, “Humble leaders inspire close teamwork, rapid learning and high performance in their teams.” The author of the article went on to say, “We live in a world where ego gets attention but modesty gets results. Where arrogance makes headlines but humility makes a difference.” He called ambition with humility “Humbition.” For these leaders their ambition is for the success of the organization and for others within the organization. With humility comes wisdom.

But what is humility? What it is not, is self-condemnation, self-abhorrence or self-deprivation which is simply occupation with self. Humility is a disposition that comes from having a revelation of God. A revelation of God’s law condemning sin but a revelation of His grace delivering us from it. This is what makes us humble.

Humility is having a realistic estimation of ourselves compared to an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-wise, righteous and sovereign God. This is what it means to have a healthy fear of the Lord. It’s also knowing who Christ is, what He gave up for us, and all that He did for us.

Puritan John Flavel said, “They that know God will be humble, and they that know themselves, cannot be proud.”

As I was reading through the verse on humility in the book of Proverbs, I was noticing a pattern. Wherever you see the word humility it is associated with:

Listening,

Learning, and

Living

Let’s look at the first characteristic associated with humility:

Listening

Proverbs 15:31-33 (NASB)

He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.

To put it simply, listening to instruction requires humility. It’s not just listening to someone or something about a subject but has to do with your attitude about what you are hearing.