Pastor Jed began his teaching time this year with a wonderful four-part series on Biblical Humility.
Biblical Humility, pt. 1
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
Walking humbly with God is part of a life of true faith.
1 Peter 5:5-7, Genesis 11:1-9, Proverbs 3:34
“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.” Psalm 25:9
When you hear the word “Humility,” what comes to your mind?
Biblical Humility is not
- Not self‑deprecation: It does not mean denying God‑given gifts.
- Not weakness or passivity: True humility includes courage, obedience, and active service.
- Not false humility: Scripture warns against outward humility without a sincere heart (Colossians 2:18, 23).
- Not humiliation: We are valuable to God.
Biblical Humility is another “Christian discipline.”
- A God‑centered perspective and posture. Micah 6:8. Humility has a right view of God and a right view of one’s self before God and recognizes our complete dependence upon Him. John 3:30
- Submission to God’s authority: A humble person trusts God’s wisdom rather than their own strength. Proverbs 3:5-7
- Rejecting pride and freedom from pride. Pride is about me. Humility is first a choice: willingly laying down one’s life, taking up the cross of Christ (which represents self-sacrifice), and submitting to His authority.
- Service to others: Humility involves seeing ourselves truthfully, in meekness and in the light of God’s holiness, counting others above ourselves, and living in obedience to God and service to others.
Old Testament Examples: Joseph, Moses, Ruth, David, and Isaiah
Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, remained humble and credited God for his ability to interpret dreams, ultimately using his position to save many lives without seeking personal glory.
Moses is described as “meek above all men” (Numbers 12:3) and displayed humility by initially hesitating to lead the Israelites, relying on God’s guidance rather than asserting his own authority, and responding with grace when criticized by Aaron and Miriam.
David, despite being anointed king, served King Saul faithfully and acknowledged his own sinfulness, seeking God’s forgiveness and demonstrating a humble heart even in positions of power (Psalm 131:1),
New Testament Examples: Mary, John the Baptist, and Paul. Jesus Christ is the perfect model of humility: Matthew 11:27-30; 20:26; Phil. 2:5-11, John 13:14-15.
Biblical Humility, pt. 2
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
Humility is the opposite of prIde. Many examples in the Old and New Testaments. The Tower of Babel. I am, can, want, need, have, think, feel, will, plan, etc. I am the center and it is about me. One example is…
The Fall of Lucifer in Ezekiel 28:11-19 – “guardian cherub” and Isaiah 14:12-17
- A prophecy against the King of Babylon but also shows us this Fall
- The five prIdeful “I wills” before God cast him down. See also Luke 10:18 and Revelation 12:7-9.
Philippians 2:5-8 – Jesus was our prime example.
Biblical Humility IS NOT humiliation, being beaten down, self-deprecation (putting yourself down), self-hatred, not speaking up, unworthiness, unrighteousness, feeling shameful or guilty, inability, poor, wretched, saying, “I’m not good (or __________) enough,” etc. Biblical Humility IS (a) A realistic view of one’s limitations and God’s greatness. (2) Dependence on God’s grace. (3) Submission to God’s will. (4) Meekness and gentleness. (5) Serving others selflessly. And (6) Rejecting self‑exaltation.
1 Samuel 24:1-7 – Background of David and how he spared King Saul’s life (See Chapter 26). Psalm 57:1-7 – David acted on humility towards God, not impulse.
God does not humble us. We humble ourselves: Humility is first a choice to willingly lay down one’s life, to willingly take up the cross of Christ (which represents self-sacrifice), and to willingly submit to His authority.
James 4:7-10 – Verse 6 – When we humble ourselves, He gives more grace!
1 Peter 5:5-6 – clothe yourselves with humility – Put it on. Colossians 3:12
Biblical Humility, pt. 3
Micah 6:8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Walking humbly with God is part of a life true faith and service.
Humility before God
“Lord, make me humble” No. Jesus humbled Himself (Philippians 2:8). Likewise, we humble ourselves before God. Matthew 23:11-12, see also Luke 14:11). – James 4:5-10 and 1 Peter 5:5-6 – Humbling ourselves before God is like putting on a piece of clothing. “Clothe yourselves with humility.” Humility entails SUBMISSION to God, the Cross of Christ, His Word, and the Holy Spirit.
☑ I remember that everything I have comes from God. “For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” 1 Corinthians 4:7, Psalm 25:9. Humility leads to wisdom and honor: Proverbs 11:2, 15:33, 18:12, and 22:4.
☑ I depend upon God daily instead of trusting only myself. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
☑ I give the credit to God instead of seeking glory for myself. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10, Isaiah 66:1-2
☑ I obey God even when no one is watching Luke 16:10
☑ I will pray with sincerity and not for appearance Matthew 6:5-6
☑ I remain thankful in every season. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Biblical Humility, pt. 4
Humility Towards Others
This humility grows out of our humility before God and His command to love one another. Matthew 23:11-12, Ephesians 4:1-3, Philippians 2:3, 1 Peter 5:5-7, Colossians 3:12, and Titus 3:2. See also Matthew 18:1-5 – Humble yourselves like little children (Luke 18:15-17).
☑ I do not compare myself with others “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.” Galatians 6:4-5
☑ I treat others as more important than myself. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility, values others above yourself, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4
☑ I serve people quietly without needing recognition. Matthew 6:1-4
☑ I am willing to listen before speaking. “Everyone would be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19-20
☑ I speak gently and avoid prideful words. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1
☑ I accept correction without becoming defensive. “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1
☑ I admit when I am wrong and repent quickly. 1 John 1:8-10
☑ I forgive others as just as Christ has forgiven me “Bear with one another and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:12-13
☑ I stay teachable and open to wisdom “Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. Proverbs 9:9
