Humility
It has been a joy over the last decade to serve so closely with others through the ministry of biblical counseling. I have personally been humbled as a counselor and watched others model humility. It is a privilege to be used by the Lord to share some of the deepest and darkest moments in the lives of others. God has used these moments to help me grow in having a heart of humility. I realized that when trying to help others, I often wanted to know all the answers right away and struggled with being patient. In the seasons that my own personal life felt overwhelming, I struggled to sacrifice my time and energy to serve another. In my pride, I battled self-pity, feeling unqualified, unworthy, and underappreciated. I caught myself many times trying to do things in my own effort, taking my eyes off the Lord. Thankfully, in my weariness, Jesus invited me to come to Him to find rest (Matt 11:28-30). My heart needed to draw near to Jesus and gain a deeper dependence on the Lord. This need for personal growth in humility was true then, and it is still true today.
In order for us to discuss humility, we must first take a look at what scripture says about pride. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6.
Pride is when our heart becomes consumed with self. It can be exhibited in selfish ambitions, arrogance, and boasting in our accomplishments. Ultimately, it is a worship of self. It is dangerous because it is rooted in giving glory to ourselves when the glory belongs to God alone. When we seek self-exaltation instead of rightly worshiping Him, our fellowship with the Lord is hindered (Psalm 10:4). Pride will blind us into thinking we have no need for God, and our thoughts and our actions become all about "my happiness,” “my self-worth,” “my life,” “my feelings,” for “my benefit,” and in "my control.”
What Scripture reveals about pride:
Pride is an “abomination to the LORD” (Prov 16:5).
Pride makes one hopeless (Prov 26:12).
Pride comes before disgrace (Prov 11:2).
Pride goes before destruction (Prov 16:18-19; 18:12).
Pride causes calamity (Prov 28:14).
Pride is wicked and sinful (Prov 21:4).
A major consequence of pride is a hardened heart. This creates self-delusion that makes us overly confident in our own ability, which in turn makes us unteachable and hinders our maturity. A hardened heart also shifts blame and takes no ownership in wrong-doing, which will never allow us to walk in true repentance (Eph 4:17-19). An impenitent heart is rebellion, and God’s righteous judgment will be revealed against such sin (Rom 2:5). Pride says: “I’m strong enough,” “recognize me,” “serve me,” “my way,” “love me,” “approve of me,” “elevate me,” “my accomplishments,” “my self-worth,” “my desires,” “my life.”
Feeling convicted yet? I know I am! Let us now take a look at what scripture says about humility. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6.
Humble is when our heart dies to self. We recognize our inability to save anyone and acknowledge our own need for salvation. Our worthlessness has been exchanged for His infinite worth. It is right worship of God alone. Jesus is our ultimate model for humility, as One with great power but humbled Himself as a servant even to death on the cross (Phil 2:8). Through Christ Jesus we receive grace, a gift of God not by our own doing but through faith (Eph 2:4-10). Humility exposes our weaknesses, in which God’s grace is sufficient (2 Cor 12:9).
What Scripture reveals about humility:
The humble will be exalted by the Lord (1 Pet 5:6, James 4:10).
Humility comes before honor (Prov 15:33).
Humility is rewarded by God with riches, honor, and life (Prov 22:4).
The LORD lifts up the humble (Ps 147:6).
The LORD leads the humble in what is right and teaches them His way (Ps 25:9).
Wisdom comes with humility (Prov 11:2).
An inevitable outcome of humility is a loving heart. This creates a selfless attribute that counts others more significant than ourselves so that we put the interests of others before our own (Phil 2:3-4). It produces fruit that acknowledges our sin before the Lord and receives God’s grace with a heart of gratitude. Humility allows us to likewise offer grace and forgiveness to others because we recognize what God has done for us (Col 3:12-17). Humility says: “Christ is strong enough,” “recognize Christ,” “serve the Lord,” “God’s way,” “love Christ,” “approve of Christ,” “elevate Christ,” “what Christ accomplished,” “worth in Christ,” “desires from Christ,” “life because of Christ.”
I know firsthand that pride is a difficult sin to address. It is hard to examine our own heart and acknowledge our own temptations to sinful pride. Even more so, to invite a trusted friend to have an open, grace-filled discussion to identify areas they see pride manifesting in our life. But, as you’ve now read above the danger of pride, I urge you to join me in praying desperately and regularly for humility and heart renewal from our faithful, forgiving, and loving God.
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” Matthew 23:12.
Written by: Shauna Van Dyke