From the Lowly to the Lowly Four Lessons in Humility

The imperative nature of humility Scripture commands humility of us If we are to enter the kingdom (Matthew 18:1-4) If we are to be exalted by God (1 Peter 5:6) We are warned of pride’s dangerous nature Pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18) Where pride leads to destruction, humility leads to honor (Proverbs 18:12)

What is humility? “the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one’s own importance, rank, etc.” Pride is like hearing / humility is like listening Pride hears and maybe registers the sound, but does nothing Humility listens, pays close attention and then acts!

What is humility? “the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one’s own importance, rank, etc.” Pride is like hearing / humility is like listening Humility is an action God commands action of the Israelites in their humility (2 Chronicles 7:14) Josiah acted in his humility (2 Chronicles 34:27) Humility is the act of submitting ourselves to God’s will (Deuteronomy 8:2-3; James 4:6-7)

Why be humble? Scripture commands humility of God’s people God chooses those that are humble (1 Corinthians 1:26-29) God exalts those that are humble (Proverbs 29:23; James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6) God resists those that are proud (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5) God resists those that are proud because they will not listen to him; he calls the humble because they listen and obey!

Pride is destructive: Pharaoh Pharaoh is an extremely proud man (Exodus 5:2) God speaks to Pharaoh repeatedly Through Aaron and Moses (Exodus 7: 2, 10) By the plagues Water to blood (Exodus 7:16-18) Frogs (Exodus 8:1-2) Gnats (or lice, KJV) (Exodus 8:16-19)

Pride is destructive: Pharaoh Pharaoh is an extremely proud man (Exodus 5:2) God speaks to Pharaoh repeatedly Pharaoh does not listen (Exodus 7:13) Pharaoh is asked how long will he refuse to humble himself before God (Exodus 10:3) Pharaoh only hears; he never listens

Pride is destructive: Pharaoh Pharaoh is an extremely proud man (Exodus 5:2) God speaks to Pharaoh repeatedly Pharaoh does not listen (Exodus 7:13) With Pharaoh’s pride came destruction Pharaoh begins to obey and lets the people go (Exodus 12:31-32) His pride rears up and he pursues (Exodus 14:4-9) His pride resulted in his destruction (Exodus 14:24-30)

Pride is destructive: Israel Israel is warned to remain humble in the promised land (Deuteronomy 8:15-20) Israel (often) did not heed this warning Their pride became a testimony to God (Hosea 5:5) As a result, they would stumble in guilt and be unable to find the LORD (Hosea 5:5-6)

Humility is honorable: Paul Paul recognizes his standing in God’s work (1 Corinthians 3:5-6) Paul knows that there is no glory in earthly accomplishments (Philippians 3:3-8) According to the flesh, Paul had much to be proud of (3:4) He puts no confidence in the flesh (3:3) Earthly accomplishments are rubbish (3:8)

Humility is honorable: Paul Paul was proud of Christ and his gospel (Romans 1:16) We are to proudly share the gospel This does not mean we have a haughty, “mightier than thou” attitude The glory is in God; not in us (Acts 10:26; Psalm 115:1) Paul recognizes his standing in God’s work (1 Corinthians 3:5-6) Paul knows that there is no glory in earthly accomplishments (Philippians 3:3-8) With this knowledge, Paul gloried in Christ “glory in Christ” (3:3) “surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus” (3:8) “gain Christ” (3:8) Paul had godly pride

Humility is honorable: Christ Christ is certainly the greatest example of humility for us to follow He is the “meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29) It is our goal to be like him (1 Corinthians 11:1; Matthew 10:25) Christ demonstrates that humility is sitting at God’s feet, listening, and obeying (Philippians 2:5-8) Let us “have the mind which was also in Christ”