Humility is very scarce today in the world and in the church, but Christ exhorts us that the way of greatness is the way of humility. There is scarcity of humility in the world, and in the church today, there is equally over-abundance of pride. Everyone loves to be honoured, recognized, and respected above every other person. But Jesus is teaching us the way of humility as the way to honour, recognition, respect, and celebration. Although it is difficult to sincerely humble oneself, but it is profitable because God himself recommended it and promised to promote humble people.

 

 

*1. What is humility?*

·         Humility is having or showing a sense of lowliness or inferiority. Matt 3:13-15

 

·         Humility is having lowliness of mind and not being high-minded. Acts 20:18-19

 

·         Humility is forgetting self and pushing others forward and upward Matt 3:11

 

·         Humility is having the right estimate of oneself as God can see us. 1Cor 4:6-7

 

·         Humility is not a self-despising spirit, but it prefers others above and before oneself. Rom 12:3

 

·         Humility will involve working hard in the most obscure position without seeking the applause or recognition of men. Matt 23:5-7

 

·         Humility is needed to be convicted of our sins and to come to genuine repentance 2 Chron 7:14

 

 

*2. Humility Demanded* 1 Peter 5:5-6

God is demanding in his words humility from every one that believes in him. We are encouraged to follow the example of Christ, who demonstrated the greatest humility Phil 2:5-8

 

·         Humility is demanded during our prayer and personal fellowship with God.

 

·         Humility is demanded during the discharge of our duties in the church and in God’s Kingdom.

 

·         Humility is demanded in the use of the grace and gifts we have received from God.

 

·         Humility is demanded in our day-to-day interpersonal relationships.

 

·         Humility is demanded in the expression of our views, in occupying our positions and in carrying out our responsibilities.

 

 

*3. Humility Demonstrated*

Several godly men and women demonstrated humility in the Bible. We have discussed Jesus our saviour and John the Baptist in this study. They and other biblical examples should be studied with a heart of following their good example.

 

a.      Abraham Gen 13:8-11 He was the elder, but he allowed lot to make the first choice.

 

b.      David 1 Sam 16:11-13, 19-23 He was anointed as King to replace Saul, but he chose to work as his Servant.

 

c.       Elijah 1 King 18: 36 – 39 He was willing to draw the people to God and not to himself.

 

d.      Peter and John Acts 3:11-16 They rejected the glory the people gave them over the miracle and pointed them to the God of miracles.

 

e.      Peter and Cornelius Acts 10:25-28 Both Cornelius and peter demonstrated humility.

 

 

*4. … but humility being despised*

The saviour warns that those who exalt themselves in this life would be resisted by God James 4:5-10

 

·         While God opposes the proud, He increase grace to the humble.

 

·         We will be shut out of grace and help from the Lord.

 

·         We will be deprived of heavenly reward and recognition.

 

 

1.      Let us ask God for the grace to have a humble Spirit so that we can be qualified at all times for abundance grace, mercy, help, and lifting from the Lord.

 

2.      Father, give us the grace to demonstrate humility no matter the situation we find ourselves.

 

3.      Oh Lord, let me not despise humility. Every spirit of pride in me, please remove.

 

4.      Lord, as I humble myself, lift me up, be gracious to me, and let me receive my heavenly reward and recognition.