Humility is a virtue that the Bible values greatly. Today, we’ll see what Scripture teaches about the importance of humbling ourselves before God and others.
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What Does The Bible Say About Humbling Yourself
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of humility before God. By recognizing our own limitations and acknowledging our need for God’s guidance and help, we can experience His powerful intervention and elevation in our lives.
Humbling ourselves before the Lord involves surrendering our pride, selfishness, and desire for control, and instead submitting to His wisdom and authority. It is through this humble posture that we can receive His blessings and experience His transformative work in our hearts and circumstances.
Proverbs 18:12
“Before destruction a person’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”
This verse contrasts the destructive nature of pride with the honor that comes from humility. When we are filled with pride, believing ourselves to be self-sufficient and superior, we are headed towards downfall and destruction.
However, humility paves the way for honor and blessings. It is through a humble heart that we can acknowledge our need for God’s grace and receive His favor. By humbling ourselves, we position ourselves to be exalted by God, who sees and rewards our genuine humility.
1 Peter 5:6
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
In this verse, Peter encourages believers to humble themselves under God’s mighty hand. By recognizing God’s sovereignty and authority, we can submit ourselves to His guidance and purposes.
Through humility, we entrust our lives and circumstances to God, patiently waiting for His timing and trusting in His faithfulness. As we humble ourselves before Him, He promises to exalt us at the appointed time, according to His perfect wisdom and plan.
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, 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.”
This verse outlines God’s requirements for His people: to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. Humility is an essential attitude on the path of righteousness.
Walking humbly with God involves recognizing our own imperfections and weaknesses while acknowledging His perfect goodness and holiness. It is an ongoing journey of dependence on God, seeking His guidance and aligning our lives with His will. In this humble walk, we can reflect God’s love and mercy to those around us.
Matthew 23:12
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Jesus speaks about the principle of humility and exaltation in this verse. Those who seek to elevate themselves and rely on their own abilities or achievements will ultimately be humbled by the reality of their limitations and the futility of self-centeredness.
On the other hand, those who willingly humble themselves, recognizing their need for God’s grace and mercy, will be exalted by God. His elevation comes in various forms, including spiritual growth, divine favor, and an eternal inheritance. Humility is therefore not only a virtue but also a pathway to receiving God’s abundant blessings.
Luke 18:14
“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
This verse is a part of Jesus’ parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee, boasting of his righteous deeds, was not justified before God. However, the tax collector, recognizing his sinfulness and humbling himself in repentance, was justified in the eyes of God.
Jesus reinforces the principle that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted. Our righteousness and acceptance before God are not based on our own merits, but on our humble surrender to His grace and mercy.
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
In this verse, Paul instructs believers to cultivate humility as part of their new identity in Christ. As God’s chosen ones, we should reflect His character by displaying compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience. Humility is a key virtue that facilitates these attributes.
By clothing ourselves with humility, we acknowledge our dependence on God and His transforming power. It allows us to treat others with love, respect, and understanding, and to live in harmony with fellow believers, recognizing that we are all equal before God.
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.”
Paul encourages the Philippians to adopt a posture of humility in their relationships with others. Instead of pursuing their own selfish ambitions or seeking personal glory, they are to humbly consider the needs and interests of others above their own.
Humility empowers us to set aside our pride and self-centeredness, allowing us to genuinely care for and serve others. It fosters unity, cooperation, and sacrificial love within the community of believers, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated.
Psalm 25:9
“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”
This verse highlights the guidance and instruction that God provides to the humble. When we approach Him with a humble heart, recognizing our need for His wisdom and direction, He faithfully leads us in the paths of righteousness.
Humility allows us to embrace God’s teachings and corrections, yielding to His guidance and surrendering our own prideful ways. It opens our hearts to receive His divine revelation and to walk in His ways, leading to a fruitful and purposeful life.
Psalm 138:6
“Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.”
This verse emphasizes God’s care and attention towards the humble. Despite His exaltedness and transcendence, He intimately observes and regards those who are lowly and humble in spirit.
God’s gracious response to humility reveals His character of love and compassion. He draws near to the humble, intimately involving Himself in their lives, and bestows His favor and blessings upon them. It is in our humility that we can experience the close and personal relationship with the exalted God.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“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.”
In this verse, God responds to Solomon’s prayer by outlining the conditions for healing and restoration. He calls His people to humble themselves, turning away from their disobedience, and seeking His forgiveness and guidance.
Humbling ourselves before God is a prerequisite for receiving His forgiveness and experiencing renewal. It involves recognizing our own sinfulness, repenting of our wrongdoings, and seeking His face wholeheartedly. When we humble ourselves in this way, God promises to hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and bring healing and restoration.
Isaiah 57:15
“For this is what the high and exalted One says – he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
In this verse, the prophet Isaiah highlights God’s dwelling with the lowly and contrite in spirit. Even though He is the high and exalted One, He takes notice of those who recognize their need for Him and approach Him with humility.
God is not distant from those who are humble, but intimately present with them. He revives and restores the spirits of the lowly, granting them His life-giving presence and comfort. Humility opens the door for a deep and meaningful relationship with the eternal and holy God.
1 Corinthians 1:27-28
“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are.”
Paul reminds the Corinthians that God’s ways are different from the world’s standards. He often chooses the weak, foolish, and lowly things to accomplish His purposes, confounding the wisdom and strength of the world.
This verse echoes the theme of humility, as God empowers and uses those who acknowledge their own inadequacy and rely on His strength. By embracing humility, we position ourselves to be vessels of God’s power and fulfill His divine plans, giving Him all the glory.
Ephesians 4:2
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Paul encourages the Ephesian believers to embody humility in their interactions with others. Complete humility involves approaching others with gentleness, patience, and a willingness to bear with them in love.
Humility is the foundation for healthy relationships within the body of Christ. It fosters unity, understanding, and forgiveness, creating an environment of love and grace. By humbling ourselves, we cultivate an atmosphere where individuals feel valued and supported, leading to stronger and more harmonious relationships.
Psalm 149:4
“For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.”
This verse reveals God’s delight in His people and His favorable response to humility. The Lord rejoices over those who humbly surrender their lives to Him, and He graciously crowns them with victory.
When we humble ourselves before God, acknowledging His sovereignty and seeking His will, He empowers us to overcome challenges and experience triumph in our spiritual journey. In His faithfulness, He equips us with everything we need to live victoriously and fulfill His purposes.
Psalm 147:6
“The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.”
This verse highlights God’s care for the humble and His judgment towards the wicked. Those who humble themselves before the Lord find His sustaining presence and protection, while the wicked are ultimately brought low and face the consequences of their disobedience.
Humility opens the door for God’s provision and guidance in our lives. It is a posture that relies on His strength and wisdom rather than our own limited abilities. By entrusting ourselves to His care, we can experience His faithfulness and experience His sustaining power.
Psalm 18:27
“You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.”
This verse emphasizes the contrast between the salvation of the humble and the humility imposed upon the proud. God extends His saving grace to those who approach Him with humility, recognizing their need for His deliverance and mercy.
However, those who are filled with pride and arrogance, relying on their own strength and wisdom, are ultimately humbled by the reality of their limitations and their dependence on God. The path of salvation begins with humbling ourselves before God, acknowledging His power and authority.
Zephaniah 2:3
“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.”
Zephaniah encourages the humble to seek God and His righteousness. By pursuing humility and righteousness, they may find refuge and protection when the Lord executes judgment and pours out His anger.
Humility is not merely an outward posture but an inner disposition that seeks to align with God’s will and ways. It is an essential element in our pursuit of righteousness and obedience, positioning us to receive God’s shelter and deliverance in times of trouble.
Psalm 34:2
“My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.”
In this verse, David expresses his intention to boast in the Lord and encourages the afflicted to hear and rejoice in His goodness. This posture of boasting in God reflects a heart of humility that acknowledges His greatness and faithfulness.
Humility recognizes that all good things come from God and that our achievements and blessings are a result of His grace. Boasting in the Lord redirects the focus from ourselves to Him, inviting others to witness and celebrate His work in our lives.
Psalm 40:4
“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.”
This verse underscores the blessing that comes from trusting in the Lord rather than in human pride or false idols. The humble posture of trust opens the door for God’s provision, guidance, and protection.
By placing our hope and confidence in the Lord, we acknowledge His sovereignty and sufficiency. Trusting in Him humbles us, recognizing that His ways are higher than our own and that our ultimate security and fulfillment can only be found in Him.
Psalm 62:5
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.”
David encourages his own soul to find rest and hope in God alone. This reflects a posture of humility that surrenders our anxieties, fears, and desires to God’s care and provision.
In humility, we acknowledge that our efforts and striving are insufficient, and we place our trust in the unwavering faithfulness of God. By finding rest in Him, we experience the peace that surpasses all understanding and the assurance that He is in control of our lives and circumstances.
Psalm 9:12
“For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.”
In this verse, David declares God’s attentiveness to the cries of the afflicted. The posture of humility allows us to recognize our need for God’s help and deliverance in times of trouble.
When we humbly approach God and cry out to Him, He does not ignore our pleas. Rather, He comes to our aid, avenging the injustices and bringing comfort and healing to the afflicted. God’s compassion is fully manifested when we humbly turn to Him in our distress.
Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
This verse reassures us of God’s healing and comforting presence. The humble posture of acknowledging our brokenness and seeking God’s restoration allows Him to mend our broken hearts and heal our deepest wounds.
Humility creates space for God to work in our lives, bringing healing to our emotional, spiritual, and physical wounds. By surrendering our hurts and pains to Him, we invite His transformative power to bring wholeness and restoration.