Take a look at these Bible verses on humility that can assist you keep away from pleasure and selfishness by fixing your eyes on Christ.
In a world targeted a lot on ourselves – loving ourselves, accepting ourselves, discovering happiness for ourselves, the significance of humility (and what it truly means and appears like in follow!) has actually been warped.
When you’re feeling caught, such as you’re making an attempt your greatest to work in direction of humility however nonetheless lacking the mark, you’re not alone. The world, our tradition, and even different Christians can have some fairly twisted messages on what it seems prefer to be humble.
The Bible is the perfect place to show once we’re feeling uncertain. If you end up selecting to consider God’s Phrase as your Fact in your life, studying scripture will help you discover peace, knowledge, and confidence.
We’ll dive into loads of Bible verses on humility, however first, let’s begin with the fundamentals.
What Is Humility, Anyway?
If we’re turning to the Bible to information us right here, let’s begin with the definition of humility present in Proverbs.
Humility is the worry of the Lord;
its wages are riches and honor and life.Proverbs 22:44
To me, this implies having the Lord in His correct place in your life – as your Savior, Your King, Your Almighty Father – and viewing Him as He’s meant to be seen – in awe and marvel and with respect.
Once you view God as He’s, then that additionally places you into your correct place as nicely – as a baby of God, a light-weight of the world, beloved and blessed (and so many different issues! Click on right here to learn extra on your id in Christ).
Humility is conserving your eyes on Christ and exalting what He has performed whereas pleasure retains your eyes on your self and your individual accomplishments.
We regularly shrink back from accepting any constructive traits of ours “in an effort to stay humble,” however humility shouldn’t be denying the reality. It’s not making your self small to assist others really feel worthy. You may nonetheless have confidence in Christ and be humble.
C.S. Lewis describes it like this – “Humility shouldn’t be pondering much less of your self, it’s pondering of your self much less.”
Scripture On Humility & Satisfaction
Warnings On Satisfaction
As I simply talked about, pleasure is the other of humility. As you’ll see within the Bible verses beneath, pleasure will be very damaging.
Proverbs 11:2
When pleasure comes, then comes shame, however with humility comes knowledge.
Proverbs 11:2
Right here in Proverbs 11, we’re warned pleasure comes with shame whereas humility accompanies knowledge. I can look again at my very own life and see this so typically.
Humility brings an open thoughts that acknowledges that we don’t know all of it however the Lord does. The minute I grow to be assured that I can do issues alone with out Him, hassle appears to comply with as a result of the reality is I completely can’t do issues alone, however I can do all via Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
Proverbs 15:33
Knowledge’s instruction is to worry the Lord, and humility comes earlier than honor.
Proverbs 15:33
I don’t learn about you, however I extremely respect individuals who can acknowledge their very own limits. I are likely to lose respect for individuals claiming to know all of it, whereas people who find themselves consultants in a single factor however also can admit after they aren’t as educated in different areas actually win me over.
That’s what I image because the verse describes humility coming earlier than honor. Those that declare to know all of it are likely to have their very own pursuits in thoughts whereas those that can admit their weaknesses are likely to have others’ pursuits at coronary heart, which is such an honorable trait.
Proverbs 18:12
Earlier than a downfall the guts is haughty, however humility comes earlier than honor.
Proverbs 18:12
The phrase “haughty” means having an angle of superiority and contempt for individuals who we understand to be inferior. No marvel the Lord warns us to keep away from pleasure!
He is aware of that when our hearts see others in that manner, it’s an indication one thing is majorly off in us and there will probably be outward fall-out due to that interior stance we maintain.
Proverbs 29:23
Satisfaction brings an individual low, however the lowly in spirit acquire honor.
Proverbs 29:23
It appears so ironic that an individual pondering most extremely of themselves would be the factor that brings them “low,” however, wanting via the lens of Scripture, all of it is sensible (we’ll dive deeper into that in a minute).
James 1:9-10
Believers in humble circumstances must take pleasure of their excessive place. However the wealthy ought to take pleasure of their humiliation—since they may cross away like a wild flower.
James 1:9-10
The best way success is described right here is so opposite to our tradition. The targets all of us are likely to try for are to achieve success, earn more cash, acquire extra consideration, and get extra followers.
However, right here, “humble circumstances”, which I’d say all of us strive fairly onerous to keep away from, are considered because the “excessive place” – the factor that ought to be our aim.
On that notice, let’s check out just some examples of how Jesus lived out humility.
Jesus’ Instance of Humility
There is no such thing as a doubt that Jesus gave us the proper instance of humility every single day of His life, from being born in a manger to His dying on the cross for everyone’s sins however His personal.
Jesus, God in flesh, spent His life working as a carpenter searching for out misplaced sinners, washing ft, therapeutic the sick, and calling the little kids to “come to me” (Matthew 19:14).
Matthew 11:29-30
Take my yoke upon you and study from me, for I’m mild and humble in coronary heart, and you will discover relaxation on your souls. For my yoke is straightforward and my burden is mild.
Matthew 11:29-30
Take heed to the way in which He describes humility right here – mild, restful, simple, mild. These are the very issues we’re all searching for however can’t appear to understand in our lives of hustle, excessive ambitions, and stairways to success.
It positive is a warning signal that we could also be lacking the mark, proper?
Mark 9:35
Sitting down, Jesus referred to as the Twelve and mentioned, “Anybody who desires to be first have to be the final, and the servant of all.”
Mark 9:35
Even the disciples, males residing with Jesus and speaking with him usually, nonetheless struggled with that need for energy and standing. However Jesus emphasised but once more that what they thought success regarded like was all mistaken. The one who is admittedly on the high is the perfect servant to all others, not the opposite manner round.
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man didn’t come to be served, however to serve, and to provide his life as a ransom for a lot of.
Mark 10:45
Jesus’ eyes weren’t fastened on Himself ever, however at all times on others as He discovered methods to like and serve and provide His life as a present to everybody round Him.
John 13:14
Now that I, your Lord and Instructor, have washed your ft, you additionally ought to wash each other’s ft.
John 13:14
And this verse hits me particularly onerous as a reminder that Jesus’ good instance of humility was not simply given to us as a “good story,” however as strategy to present us how we are able to keep it up His work – washing ft and serving others.
Directions On How To Be Humble
Psalm 25:8-9
Good and upright is the Lord;
subsequently he instructs sinners in his methods.
He guides the common-or-garden in what is true
and teaches them his manner.Psalm 25:8-9
An awesome place to start out in your quest for humility is asking the Lord for steering. Strategy God with an open thoughts and a prepared, teachable coronary heart. He’ll information you and train you.
Micah 6:8
He has proven you, O mortal, what is sweet.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To behave justly and to like mercy
and to stroll humbly along with your God.Micah 6:8
No character trait stands alone and humility is not any exception. Humility, a coronary heart searching for the great of others, goes hand-in-hand with different traits like justice and mercy.
John 3:30
He should grow to be better; I have to grow to be much less.
John 3:30
That is one among my favourite Bible verses on humility as a result of it captures an important half. It’s truly why I named my 30-Day Weight Loss Devotional “Much less of Me”!
Once we understand it’s not about us, it’s about Him, then we will be actually humble. That doesn’t imply we’re meaningless. We now have immense worth to God! It’s simply not about us. It’s about Him.
That’s much less in regards to the outward actions and extra in regards to the stance of our coronary heart and the way we see God, ourselves, and others.
Romans 12:16
Stay in concord with each other. Don’t be proud, however be prepared to affiliate with individuals of low place. Don’t be immodest.
Romans 12:16
On this verse, we are given outward indicators that exhibits our humble coronary heart – residing in concord with each other and associating with individuals of low place.
If these two issues aren’t taking place in your life proper now, there’s no should be ashamed. It’s simply an effective way to do a coronary heart examine.
What’s a technique you can begin engaged on these two issues right now? Begin there.
1 Corinthians 1:28-29
God selected the lowly issues of this world and the despised issues—and the issues that aren’t—to nullify the issues which might be, in order that nobody could boast earlier than him. 1 Corinthians 1:28-29
1 Corinthians 1:28-29
Paul right here is writing about how God doesn’t assume the way in which we do. He’s the Lord of Lord and King of Kings and He nonetheless chooses the lowly and despised of this world to come back to him.
Not simply the straight A college students, not simply the highest students and theologians, not simply probably the most highly effective. He calls the “nothings” and tells them they’re “somethings.”
So, whether or not you’re a “nothing” or a high scholar, having that angle of humility in both place is simply as necessary.
Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers and sisters, had been referred to as to be free. However don’t use your freedom to indulge the flesh; quite, serve each other humbly in love.
Galatians 5:13
As soon as once more, we see the Bible pair the phrase “humble” with serving others. When your coronary heart is for others, your actions naturally comply with swimsuit.
Ephesians 4:2
Be utterly humble and delicate; be affected person, bearing with each other in love.
Ephesians 4:2
Listed below are much more traits (and Fruit of the Spirit, no much less) that pair completely with humility – gentleness, endurance, love.
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of egocentric ambition or useless conceit. Somewhat, in humility worth others above yourselves.
Philippians 2:3
The stark distinction between pleasure and humility are described once more right here. Both you may have egocentric ambitions and useless conceit OR you worth others above your self.
One has your eyes fastened on your self and the opposite is others-focused.
Colossians 3:12
Subsequently, as God’s chosen individuals, holy and dearly beloved, dress yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and endurance.
Colossians 3:12
I like the encouragement right here to “dress your self” with these traits. It’s a reminder that this stuff don’t simply “occur” or “come naturally” to some.
It’s a option to pursue compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and endurance.
James 3:13
Who is sensible and understanding amongst you? Allow them to present it by their good life, by deeds performed within the humility that comes from knowledge.
James 3:13
This re-emphasizes the purpose we talked about earlier – when your coronary heart is really humble, your actions will comply with along with your good deeds.
1 Peter 3:8
Lastly, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love each other, be compassionate and humble.
1 Peter 3:8
Right here, we see much more traits which might be a lot extra about relationships with others than the rest – being like-minded, sympathetic, loving one another, and displaying one another compassion.
How The Lord Rewards Humility
I assumed it was necessary to incorporate these final 4 verses as a reminder of the advantages of pursuing humility.
After all, pursuing humility just for the aim of reaping a reward isn’t precisely the correct coronary heart both, however God does level out some methods He selected to reward the humble-hearted.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my individuals, who’re referred to as by my title, will humble themselves and pray and search my face and switch from their depraved methods, then I’ll hear from heaven, and I’ll forgive their sin and can heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Right here, He selected to reward the individuals who humbled themselves and sought Him with forgiveness and therapeutic their land.
Psalm 149:4
For the Lord takes enjoyment of his individuals;
he crowns the common-or-garden with victory.Psalm 149:4
On this verse, the Lord not solely delights in these individuals, however he rewards them with victory!
James 4:10
Humble yourselves earlier than the Lord, and he’ll carry you up.
James 4:10
I keep in mind studying the track, “Humble Thyself In The Sight Of The Lord” in faculty. The lyrics are brief and easy, but profound.
Humble thyself within the sight of the Lord
Humble thyself within the sight of the Lord
And He shall carry you up, greater and better
And He shall carry you up
I’m so grateful to have these phrases on repeat in my thoughts as a reminder to myself of this verse.
1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, subsequently, below God’s mighty hand, that he could carry you up in due time.
1 Peter 5:6
And this final verse emphasizes the identical idea. Humble your self earlier than the Lord and He’ll carry you up.
