PRIDE AND HUMILITY A biblical working definition of

PRIDE AND HUMILITY

A biblical working definition of humility: Humility is an attitude of lowliness of heart exalting God to His proper role as Creator and myself as subservient to His Lordship over my life.

Words associated with humility: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Brokenness Surrender Servanthood bondslave Faith (Centurion) Transparency

Is humility primarily between us and God or between us and others? Answer: Yes Both.

Toward God… Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our little ones, and all our possessions. Ezra 8: 21

Toward others… with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, Ephesians 4: 2

Humility is realized in my Christian life when I come to understand internalize the following five truths:

Number 1. I am eternally dependent on My Creator for everything. (There will never come a time in eternity that this ceases to be the case. )

Number 2. God owes me nothing (The opposite of selfentitlement for I have no rights. )

Number 3. All my assets are a gift from God (All my gifts, talents, abilities or any other positive aspect about who I am were provided by God and that I have no right to claim any honor to myself because of them. )

Number 4. All men are of equal worth (I have no more worth than any one else in the eyes of God. Not all men are created equal – rather we have equal worth before God)

Number 5. I deserved hell but got heaven I am spiritually bankrupt and incapable of making things right with my Creator who I have offended with my sin. And I am in need of the saving grace that only Jesus can provide.

Part 4 Ten Great Quotes on Humility

When a conquering Roman general paraded through Rome, a slave would ride next to him quoting this over and over. “Remember, you are only mortal…”

“I need enough praise to keep me going, and enough failure to keep me totally dependent on Him. ” Lois Lindley

“Humility is to make a right estimate of one’s self. ” Charles H. Spurgeon

“Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance. ” Saint Augustine

“Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real. ” Thomas Merton

“Humility is pride in God. ” Austin O’Malley

“Be humble or you'll stumble. ” D. L. Moody

“Never be haughty to the humble. Never be humble to the haughty. ” Jefferson Davis

“A man who is eating or lying with his wife or preparing to go to sleep in humility, thankfulness and temperance, is, by Christian standards, in an infinitely higher state than one who is listening to Bach or reading Plato in a state of pride. ” C. S. Lewis

“Oh Lord it's hard to be humble when you're perfect in every way” Mac Davis in his song, “It’s Hard to be Humble. ”

“It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels. ” St. Augustine

Part 5 Biblical Principles on Humility

What is the Biblical Principle? "It is to be a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble your souls; it is a permanent statute. Leviticus 16: 31

Principle: Breaking you daily routine and setting aside a day of worship and reflection is integral in developing humility.

What is the Biblical Principle? “And you shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. ” Deuteronomy 8: 2

Principle: God manages trials in our lives (both long and short term) to play an important role to bring about humility.

What is the Biblical Principle? “When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom. ” Proverbs 11: 2

Principle: Those who lack humility and the ability to understand manage their lives (i. e. , wisdom) are generally not looked upon with admiration.

What is the Biblical Principle? “Seek the Lord, All you humble of the earth who have carried out His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the Lord's anger. ” Zephaniah 2: 3

Principle: Humility activates God’s forgiving heart.

What is the Biblical Principle? “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? ” Micah 6: 8

Principle: Humility is ranked in importance no less than living justly and being kind.

What is the Biblical Principle? The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life. Proverbs 22: 4

Principle: Humility has wonderful by-products: Riches l Honor l Life l

Part 6 Matching the Attitude of Christ Jesus

Philippians 2: 5 -11 This passage outlines the incarnation. That is, that the second member of the Holy Trinity took on human form and died at Calvary in order to secure salvation for any who would trust in the Lord.

Either this is the most magnificent truth in the universe or we Christians have entertained a fairy tale of colossal proportions. If a fairy tale, then we are wandering aimlessly in space awaiting death and the annihilation of ourselves and our loved ones.

Christ’s humbled Himself by: Not demanding the prerogatives of deity 2. Became a human slave 3. Crucified at Calvary 1.

Our calling is to copy this type of “humility” attitude in our relationship with God and others. Philippians 2: 5

Mega question… In the context of this passage, what does humility mean?

Back up the Bible train up to verses 3 -4: Humility is the placing of higher importance on one another than on self

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. New American Standard

Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. The Message

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. 4 Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing. The Living Bible

“Joy” defined… Jesus first Others second You last

Bonus points… Philippians 2: 9 -11 God honors humility by exaltation

The promise… Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4: 10