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Bible Verses by Topic ~ Humility
Humility - How Not To Obtain It
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11 NKJV
Jesus taught us many things as He went from place to place. One time He was invited to a wedding feast and as He watched the guests arriving and finding their seats He told this parable in Luke 14:7-12: So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: 8 “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him;9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you,‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you,‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. 11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Jesus’ teaching is practical and simple. His instructions are straight to point out exactly what’s wrong – pride, self-promoting, exalting self. He is clear on how to change – humble yourself.
When we choose to fight, strive or desire recognition,appreciation, honor and respect, we are exalting our self. Jesus said “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled.” This I know from personal experience. My life before I knew Christ was all about me, therefore, I had to be humbled. Let me tell you it is not good, but painful to be humbled.
However, we have a choice. We can choose to humble our self. Look at the last part of what Jesus said “and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Again, I tell you from my own experience, when I stopped trying “to make it happen” for myself, others beginning praising and honoring me, to which I reply by giving God the glory.
So that’s the challenge today. Get our eyes off our self. Focus on Jesus and His power working in us. Watch how others react when we are no longer self-proclaiming but others oriented.
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming into our lives and straightening us out. Thank you we no longer need to strive for honor, because in you we have honor. Teach us humility by allowing others before us. In your name we pray. Amen.
© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc.
Pride Is Not Flattering, Nor Can Pride Save Your Life.
Proverbs 29:23 NKJV says pride will mak eyour life miserable: “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.” Proverbs 18:12 NKJV tells us pride comes before the fall: “Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility.”
We know from the verses above pride and humility cannot coexist. You can be either full of pride or full of humility. The choice is ours.
We have already looked at the evidence of submission in Jesus’ life which pointed to His humility. Now, let’s take a look at how pride was absent from His humility as well.
Others proclaimed His Deity
But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." John 6:69 NKJV
Then they all said, “Are you then the Son of God?” So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.” Luke 22:70 NKJV
Jesus knowing He was fully God did not parade around all puffed up with pride, arrogantly telling everyone He was the Messiah. No, He quietly and humbly carried out His purpose on earth. He let others praise Him, rather than Him touting He was God.
Not seeking His own Glory
Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine,whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. John 7:16-18 NKJV
Repeatedly, Jesus said He came to do the Father’s will. Not His will but God’s will. A prideful person can not submit to another because it would bruise their ego. We see no filthy pride or ego in Jesus, the Son of God.
Relationship before Revelation
Reading through John 4:7-26 NKJV you realize Jesus took time to connect with a Samaritan woman in need. She didn’t know she was in need, but Jesus did. Here-arranged His traveling schedule to make sure He stopped over in Samaria for this appointment. This woman had priority in Jesus’ heart. His conversation started out on the light side “Give Me a drink”. But with each exchange the conversation got deeper as He revealed more of Himself to this woman. It wasn’t until the seventh exchange of words that He tells her plainly “I who speak to you am He”, when she mentioned the Messiah.
Jesus made a connection with this woman at the place of her need. Once that need connection was established, He revealed who He was. If Jesus were prideful, He would have just come out with it right away. However, in His humble manner He creates a relationship, elevates this woman’s worth and value in that society and revealed Himself in gentle and kind way.
Our Part
How are you at mirroring Jesus’ humility? Do you brag about how great you? Or do you wait for others to praise you in due time? What motivates you? Do you seek your own benefit? Or do you seek other’s benefit? Do build relationship to reach others for Christ? Or do you blast them by pointing out all their sins and reciting bible verses at them?
Lord Jesus you are the perfect example of humility. Thank you the work you began in us you will finish. Transform us into your image and your humility. In your name we pray. Amen.
© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc.
Humble As A Child
Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4 NKJV
What does it mean to be humble like a child? Merriam-Webster’s definition of humble is: - not proud or haughty: not arrogant or assertive - reflecting, expressing, or offered in spirit of deference or submission; a humble apology. - A: ranking low in a hierarchy or scale: insignificant, unpretentious B: not costly or luxurious: a humble contraption. A small or little child is not proud, haughty, arrogant or assertive for the world has yet to corrupt him.
We are called to be as the child, unpolluted by the world’s corruption (James1:27). A child has no problem expressing himself, saying what he wants or needs. As we age, we are hurt by our own mistakes, taken advantage of by others, persecuted for our beliefs and made to feel used and abused. As a result, we turn inward and cower from expressing our selves completely or truly. We are cautious not to get hurt again.
There is no unpretentious in a child, no plotting or scheming or manipulating to get what he wants. As we said above, we are hurt by the world so our natural tendency is to scheme, plot or manipulate to get our way in most situations. A lot of times we don’t even recognize we’re doing this. The Bible exalts us to have pure motives, to seek the best interest of others rather focusing on what’s best for us (Philippians2:4).
A child can ask for forgiveness and even forgive so easily. We are called to forgive frequently. Matthew18:21-22 NKJV “Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
Think about the position of a child in the family. They are low on the hierarchy because they are new to this world. They don’t know how the world operates yet. Children know they have parents who care, protect, love and cherish them. Guess what? God cares for us. He protects us. He loves us. He cherishes us.
How about you? Are you humble as a child? Are you proud or arrogant? Are you able to expressing yourself? Are you unpretentious without evil motives? Are you able to ask for and extend forgiveness? Do you realize God loves you?
Lord God Almighty,thank you for your clear word to us this day. Thank you for helping us come to know all we have in you. Enable us to be humble as a child. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc.
Pride is Opposite Humility
As you might have guessed the opposite of humility is pride. The Bible has a lot to say about pride and not one thing is positive. A quick word search on pride using Bible Gateway reveals 51 hits. A search on the word proud had 56 hits and haughty had 18 hits. That’s 127 places the Bible teaches about pride. Any time God’s Word repeats something you know He wants us to understand it. You can rest assured the topic is very important.
Let’s look at a few in this devotion, so we’ll know more as to why we should avoid pride.
Pride Does Evil Towards Others
- Psalm 10:2 NKJV “The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.”
- Psalm 59:12 NKJV “For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them even be taken in their pride, and for the cursing and lying which they speak.”
- Psalm 73:6 NKJV “Therefore pride serves as their necklace; violence covers them like a garment.”
- James 4:1 NKJV “[Pride Promotes Strife] Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?”
Pride Brings Trouble
- Proverbs 11:2 NKJV “When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.”
- Proverbs 13:10 NKJV “By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.”
- Proverbs 16:18 NKJV “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
- Proverbs 21:24 NKJV “A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.”
- Proverbs 16:5 NKJV “Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; though they join forces, none will go unpunished.”
Pride Is Rebellion Against God
- Jeremiah 13:15 NKJV “[Pride Precedes Captivity] Hear and give ear: Do not be proud, For the LORD has spoken.”
- Jeremiah 13:17 NKJV “But if you will not hear it, My soul will weep in secret for your pride; My eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.”
- Hosea 7:10 NKJV “And the pride of Israel testifies to his face, but they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek Him for all this.”
- Amos 8:7 NKJV “The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: “Surely I will never forget any of their works.”
- Zephaniah 2:10 NKJV “This they shall have for their pride, because they have reproached and made arrogant threats against the people of the LORD of hosts.”
- Psalm 10:4 NKJV “The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.”
- Habakkuk 2:4 NKJV “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.”
Reasons for Removing Pride
- Isaiah 13:11 NKJV “I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.”
- Proverbs 8:13 NKJV “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.”
- Proverbs 29:23 NKJV “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.”
- Isaiah 23:9 NKJV “The LORD of hosts has purposed it, to bring to dishonor the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.”
- Daniel 4:37 NKJV “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.”
- Proverbs 16:19 NKJV “Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
- Malachi 4:1 NKJV “[The Great Day of God] “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. and the day which is coming shall burn them up,” Says the LORD of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch.”
- James 4:6 NKJV “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Pride comes in many forms. It is my sincerest desire you are able to recognize pride in your own life and confess it to God and seeks His forgiveness before it’s too late. We as children of God should nothing to do with pride. It’s evil. God hates it. It does nothing to build others up. Nor does it help point others to God.
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming into our lives and giving us the power to put down pride. Enable us to see the pride that so easily blinds us to your truth. By your spirit and your might teach us your ways that we may walk in them. In your name we pray. Amen.
© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc.
Humble Or Hypocrite?
Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ Matthew 23:1-7 NKJV
There are several character traits of the Pharisees we are warned not to follow. Let’s take a closer look at them.
Hypocritical
V3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
We see very clearly the Pharisees were good at telling others how to live, but they themselves did not follow what they taught and preached. They would say one thing but never carry it out in their own lives. Is that who you want to follow? Jesus says not to observe what they do, but only what they say. For their teaching was correct, they just failed to live it out.
Superiority Complex
V4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
The people looked to the Pharisees with their problems and burdens, but sadly the Pharisees were not interested in lifting up their brethren and helping them through difficult times. Romans 12:15-16 says “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”
Self-Promoting
V5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
Why we do something is just as important as the doing. Motives are important to God. Look at what 1 Timothy 1:5-7 says “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.”
Jesus taught us those with the right motives will see God. Matthew 5:8 says “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Prideful
V6 & 7 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’
Their behavior was opposite of what Jesus taught. Jesus came to serve, not to be served. The Pharisees just wanted to be served, rather than to serve others. Mark 9:35 says “And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Matthew 18:4 says “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 20:26 says “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.”
Self-check: Do you see any of these in your own life? If so, pray something like this:
Lord Jesus, Your word tells us if we confess our sins You are faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We confess our hypocritical, superior complex, self-promotion, and pride. Please help us desire your ways instead of our own. Enable us to deny our self,carry our cross and follow you. Give us a desire to serve others as you did. In your name we pray. Amen.
© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc.
Willing To Sacrifice
One definition says humility is to offer in the spirit of submission. Jesus Christ is the example of true humility. Let’s look at the evidence pointing to Jesus’ humility by reviewing Luke’s account of the life of Jesus.
Submitting to Father’s Will
Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business? (Luke 2:49) He knew why He came -- to be about His Father’s business. Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. (Luke 4:2) He willing went where the Spirit led Him. I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent. (Luke 4:43) He knew what God’s purpose was and committed His life to carrying it out.
Father if its is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not my will, by Yours be done. (Luke 22:42) Even when the command was hard to follow, He submitted to the Lord’s will rather than His own.
Willing to Suffer
Jesus submitted to cruelty of ignorant men. Willing to be mocked and beaten. He was willing to die to save us. (Luke 22:63-65). Jesus was falsely accused, but offered no defense. He allowed them to falsely accuse Him because it was part of God’s plan to save humanity.
Willing to Forgive
When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” (Luke 5:20)
Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven." (Luke 7:48)
And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; (Luke 12:10)
Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do. (Luke 23:34)
Willing to Sacrifice
Jesus was willing to sacrifice for the greater good. Father into Your hands I commit My Spirit. (Luke 23:46). He laid down His life to make our salvation possible.
How about us? How willing are we to submit to God’s will, suffer, forgive or sacrifice for others? Jesus is a model. God sent His Spirit to guide us into His truth. Day by day we are transformed into His image with His likeness. Therefore, we should begin to see more of this type of humility in our own lives.
Lord Jesus, thank you for being willing to submit to God’s plan. Thank you for your forgiveness, willing to suffer and sacrifice for us. Teach us to do the same. In your name we pray. Amen.
© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc.
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