Scripture Reading: Matt.18:1-6, Psalm 25:9
Humility is often characterized as genuine gratitude, a lack of arrogance, and a modest view of oneself. However, the biblical definition of humility goes beyond this. Humility is a critical and continuous emphasis on godliness in the Bible.
We are called upon to be humble followers of Christ and trust in the wisdom and salvation of God. True humility is seeing ourselves as we truly are, fallen in sin and helpless without God.
“He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.” Psalm 25:9
Humility (biblically) is grounded in the nature of God. The Father descends to help the poor and afflicted; the incarnate Son embodied humility from His birth to the Crucifixion, even in His Resurrection. The coupled usage of “meek” and “humble in heart” in Matthew 11:29 emphasizes Christ’s humility before humankind, whom he came to serve, and His submission before God.
The profound Bible verse of Proverbs 3:5 is an excellent summation of the biblical meaning of humility. To be humble, we must believe that God will lead us in the best way to live and avoid temptation. We must put complete trust in the Lord and not deceive ourselves with vanity or lust. We should lean on God’s understanding, wisdom, and divinity to show us the righteous path through prayer, meditation, fasting, and other faithful practices. To do this, we must have the initial requirement of humility to open our hearts and withdraw from the arrogance of our ego.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. Then he said to them, “I can guarantee this truth: Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:1-4
“The person who is greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever honors himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be honored.”
Matthew 23:11-12
In the bible, some people brought little children to Jesus to have him hold them. But the disciples told the people not to do that. When Jesus saw this, He cautioned them saying, “Don’t stop the children from coming to me. Children like these are part of God’s kingdom. I can guarantee this truth: Whoever doesn’t receive God’s kingdom as a little child receives it will never enter it.”
Mark 10:13-15
Then Jesus poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel that he had tied around his waist. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter asked him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered Peter, “You don’t know now what I’m doing. You will understand later.” Peter told Jesus, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus replied to Peter, “If I don’t wash you, you don’t belong to me.” Simon Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, don’t wash only my feet. Wash my hands and my head too!”
After Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothes, He took His place at the table again. Then He asked his disciples, “Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me teacher and Lord, and you are right because that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you must wash each other’s feet too. I have given you an example that you should follow. I can guarantee this truth: Slaves are not superior to their owners, and messengers are not superior to the people who send them. If you understand all of this, you are blessed whenever you follow my example.”
John 13:5-9, 12-17
Humility is frequently mentioned in scripture as it relates to our salvation in Jesus Christ. Christ demonstrated in practical terms a great summary of the significance of being humble in our relationship with God:
- To enter God’s presence, we must come humbly to the throne: 1 Peter 5:6.
- God says the meek shall inherit the earth: Matthew 5:5.
- The proud are cast down and will be humbled: James 4:10.
- When we are humbled or even when we suffer, we need to remember we will ultimately reign with Christ: 2 Timothy 2:12.
- Jesus even humbled Himself. Therefore, we should also have the mind of humility: Philippians 2:5-11.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
God already have a good plan for us but pride will always move us away from His presence. I urge everyoneto submit themselves to God in all humility and the will of God will come to pass accordingly
May the good Lord grant us the spirit of humility, through Christ our Lord.
Memory Verse:
Matt.18:4
“….and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
Baba Aladura, Elder Israel Akinadewo – FCA, PhD
Prelate, Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW)/President, Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC)