Humility
Its Attainment And Reflections
Introduction
1. The aim of every Christian is to be conformed to the image of Christ:
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29)
2. One of Jesus’ constant characteristics was humility. Conforming to the image of Christ means adopting such an attitude:
" 5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:5-8)
3. The purpose of this lesson is to…
a. Define ‘humility’.
b. Show how we may attain humility.
c. Consider how humility is reflected in our lives.
I. } Brief Definition Of Humility
A. The word ‘humility’ primarily denotes ‘low-lying’ (Vine’s).
“’Humility’ was a constant characteristic of Jesus, and so it is to be of everyone that has put on Christ. Pride is the opposite of humility. Both terms, humility and pride, are manifestations of what one thinks of one’s self. One who is proud thinks highly of himself. One who is humble thinks meanly of himself.” (Quotes & Things, Definitons, D. Collins).
B. Humility is the root of all other graces and virtues:
“The prominence it gained in Christian thought indicates the new conception of man in relation to God, to himself, and to his fellows, which is due to Christianity. It by no means implies slavishness or servility; nor is it inconsistent with a right estimate of oneself, one’s gifts and calling of God, or with proper self-assertion when called for. But the habitual frame of mind of a child of God is that of one who feels not only that he owes all his natural gifts, etc., to God, but that he has been the object of undeserved redeeming love, and who regards himself as being not his own, but God’s in Christ. He cannot exalt himself, for he knows that he has nothing of himself. The humble mind is thus at the root of all other graces and virtues. Self-exaltation spoils everything. There can be no real love without humility. ‘Love,’ said Paul, ‘vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up’ (1 Corinthians 13:4)” (ISBE).
II. Attaining Humility
A. That humility is essential is evident…
"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8)
B. Humility comes when we have been enlightened, and this comes through ‘the realization that we are totally dependent upon God’. It is the realization of several things that produce humility:
1. God made us and sustains us…
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." (Genesis 1:26-27)
"For in him we live, and move, and have our being...." (Acts 17:28)
"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;" (2 Corinthians 3:5)
"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." (Psalms 139:14)
2. We cannot hide anything from God:
"…for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
a. Our thoughts…
"…for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts… " (1 Chronicles 28:9)
"…You understand my thought afar off." (Psalms 139:2)
b. Our words (necessarily implied)…
"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." (Matthew 12:36)
c. Our deeds…
"Who will render to every man according to his deeds:" (Romans 2:6)
"For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
3. God rules over us (we only think we’re in control)…
"O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." (Jeremiah 10:23)
"Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?" (Proverbs 20:24)
" 13Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that." (James 4:13-15)
4. We are sinners. This comes through a knowledge of the law:
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20)
"What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet." (Romans 7:7)
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)
"For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
5. Our humility is deepened when we realize what God has done for us (concerning our sin):
a. God sent His Son to die for us while we were still sinners:
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:1-9)
b. Jesus paid the price in full:
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
6. We are humbled all the more as we consider the example of Jesus:
" 3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:3-8)
7. The teachings of Jesus also serve to produce humility within us:
"But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren." (Matthew 23:8)
"And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:" (Matthew 20:27)
"So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." (Luke 17:10)
Summary
1. God requires that we walk humbly before Him (Micah 6:8).
2. Humility is attained through the realization of several things (of which the following are only a sampling):
a. We have been created by God who continues to sustain us (Genesis 1:26-27; Acts 17:28).
b. God is aware of our every thought (Psalms 139:2), word (Matthew 12:36), and deed (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
c. All the plans we have are under God’s direction (Jeremiah 10:23).
d. All of us are sinners (Romans 3:23) and incapable of cleansing ourselves (Job 25:4).
e. It is God who has redeemed us (2 Corinthians 5:21).
f. Jesus is the supreme example of what it means to walk in humility (Philippians 2:3-8).
g. Jesus’ teaching serves to produce humility (Matthew 20:27).
III. Reflecting Humility
A. Humility is an attitude of mind and, therefore, is not something that another can readily see. However, our state of mind is reflected in our behavior:
"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he..." (Proverbs 23:7)
“Do you want to know the heart of a man? Listen to his words and observe his deeds” (TBW 8:4).
B. } truly humble minded person is known by his thoughts, words, and behavior.
1. Thoughts:
a. To avoid about self…
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)
"For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." (Galatians 6:3)
"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks he is wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise." (1 Corinthians 3:18)
"Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12)
b. To have…
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)
"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:24)
"Let nothing be done from selfishness or empty conceit; but with humility of mind think of one another as more important than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3)
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:" (Hebrews 10:24)
"The righteous considers the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it." (Proverbs 29:7)
2. Words:
"If any man among you thinks himself to be religious, and does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is vain." (James 1:26)
"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6)
3. Behavior:
"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13)
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;" (Romans 12:10)
"With all humility and meekness, with longsuffering, showing tolerance for one another in love;" (Ephesians 4:2)
"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5)
"Do not look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4)
"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." (Romans 12:15)
"We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves." (Romans 15:1)
"Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world stands, lest I make my brother to offend." (1 Corinthians 8:13)
Conclusion
1. Humility is an attitude of mind that is attained through a realization…
a. That you are totally dependant upon God for all things, both spiritually and physically.
b. That God is aware of your every thought, word, and deed.
c. That God oversees all our plans.
b. That in God’s sight you are no better than anyone else (Acts 10:34-35; Galatians 3:28); for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
d. That we are powerless to save ourselves (Ephesians 2:8).
e. That our own Lord and savior humbled Himself (Philippians 2:3-8).
f. That Jesus Himself teaches us that we are unworthy servants (Luke 17:10).
2. If you have been truly humbled through a realization of the things then it will be reflected in your thoughts regarding yourself and others, your speech, and your behavior.
3. We close this lesson with three Scriptures:
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29)
" 5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:5-8)
"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5)
If you are not a Christian then humble yourself before God now and submit to the ordinance of immersion in water for the remission of sins…
"Whoever believes and is immersed shall be saved; but whoever does not believe shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)
…and God will exalt you to the status of a child of God.
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:17-18)
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