Try these Bible verses on humility that will help you keep away from satisfaction and selfishness by fixing your eyes on Christ.
In a world centered a lot on ourselves – loving ourselves, accepting ourselves, discovering happiness for ourselves, the significance of humility (and what it truly means and appears like in observe!) has actually been warped.
For those who’re feeling caught, such as you’re attempting your greatest to work in direction of humility however nonetheless lacking the mark, you’re not alone. The world, our tradition, and even different Christians can have some fairly twisted messages on what it seems to be prefer to be humble.
The Bible is the perfect place to show once we’re feeling not sure. When you’re selecting to imagine God’s Phrase as your Fact in your life, studying scripture can assist you discover peace, knowledge, and confidence.
We’ll dive into loads of Bible verses on humility, however first, let’s begin with the fundamentals.
What Is Humility, Anyway?
If we’re turning to the Bible to information us right here, let’s begin with the definition of humility present in Proverbs.
Humility is the worry of the Lord;
its wages are riches and honor and life.Proverbs 22:44
To me, this implies having the Lord in His correct place in your life – as your Savior, Your King, Your Almighty Father – and viewing Him as He’s meant to be seen – in awe and surprise and with respect.
Once you view God as He’s, then that additionally places you into your correct place as properly – as a toddler of God, a lightweight of the world, beloved and blessed (and so many different issues! Click on right here to learn extra on your identification in Christ).
Humility is protecting your eyes on Christ and exalting what He has achieved whereas satisfaction retains your eyes on your self and your individual accomplishments.
We regularly draw back from accepting any optimistic traits of ours “in an effort to stay humble,” however humility will not be denying the reality. It isn’t making your self small to assist others really feel worthy. You may nonetheless have confidence in Christ and be humble.
C.S. Lewis describes it like this – “Humility will not be considering much less of your self, it’s considering of your self much less.”
Scripture On Humility & Pleasure
Warnings On Pleasure
As I simply talked about, satisfaction is the alternative of humility. As you’ll see within the Bible verses under, satisfaction might be very harmful.
Proverbs 11:2
When satisfaction comes, then comes shame, however with humility comes knowledge.
Proverbs 11:2
Right here in Proverbs 11, we’re warned satisfaction comes with shame whereas humility accompanies knowledge. I can look again at my very own life and see this so usually.
Humility brings an open thoughts that acknowledges that we don’t know all of it however the Lord does. The minute I develop into assured that I can do issues by myself with out Him, bother appears to observe as a result of the reality is I completely can’t do issues by myself, however I can do all by means of Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
Proverbs 15:33
Knowledge’s instruction is to worry the Lord, and humility comes earlier than honor.
Proverbs 15:33
I don’t learn about you, however I extremely respect individuals who can acknowledge their very own limits. I are inclined to lose respect for individuals claiming to know all of it, whereas people who find themselves specialists in a single factor however can even admit once they aren’t as educated in different areas actually win me over.
That’s what I image because the verse describes humility coming earlier than honor. Those that declare to know all of it are inclined to have their very own pursuits in thoughts whereas those that can admit their weaknesses are inclined to have others’ pursuits at coronary heart, which is such an honorable trait.
Proverbs 18:12
Earlier than a downfall the guts is haughty, however humility comes earlier than honor.
Proverbs 18:12
The phrase “haughty” means having an perspective of superiority and contempt for individuals who we understand to be inferior. No surprise the Lord warns us to keep away from satisfaction!
He is aware of that when our hearts see others in that method, it’s an indication one thing is majorly off in us and there can be outward fall-out due to that internal stance we maintain.
Proverbs 29:23
Pleasure brings an individual low, however the lowly in spirit achieve honor.
Proverbs 29:23
It appears so ironic that an individual considering most extremely of themselves would be the factor that brings them “low,” however, trying by means of the lens of Scripture, all of it is smart (we’ll dive deeper into that in a minute).
James 1:9-10
Believers in humble circumstances must take satisfaction of their excessive place. However the wealthy ought to take satisfaction of their humiliation—since they are going to move away like a wild flower.
James 1:9-10
The best way success is described right here is so opposite to our tradition. The targets all of us are inclined to attempt for are to achieve success, earn more cash, achieve extra consideration, and get extra followers.
However, right here, “humble circumstances”, which I’d say all of us attempt fairly laborious to keep away from, are seen because the “excessive place” – the factor that ought to be our objective.
On that be aware, let’s check out just some examples of how Jesus lived out humility.
Jesus’ Instance of Humility
There isn’t any doubt that Jesus gave us the right instance of humility on daily basis of His life, from being born in a manger to His loss of life on the cross for everyone’s sins however His personal.
Jesus, God in flesh, spent His life working as a carpenter looking for out misplaced sinners, washing toes, therapeutic the sick, and calling the little youngsters to “come to me” (Matthew 19:14).
Matthew 11:29-30
Take my yoke upon you and study from me, for I’m light and humble in coronary heart, and you will see relaxation in your souls. For my yoke is straightforward and my burden is gentle.
Matthew 11:29-30
Take heed to the way in which He describes humility right here – light, restful, simple, gentle. These are the very issues we’re all looking for however can’t appear to understand in our lives of hustle, excessive ambitions, and stairways to success.
It certain is a warning signal that we could also be lacking the mark, proper?
Mark 9:35
Sitting down, Jesus known as the Twelve and mentioned, “Anybody who needs to be first have to be the final, and the servant of all.”
Mark 9:35
Even the disciples, males dwelling with Jesus and speaking with him usually, nonetheless struggled with that need for energy and standing. However Jesus emphasised but once more that what they thought success appeared like was all incorrect. The one that is de facto on the high is the perfect servant to all others, not the opposite method round.
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man didn’t come to be served, however to serve, and to provide his life as a ransom for a lot of.
Mark 10:45
Jesus’ eyes weren’t mounted on Himself ever, however all the time on others as He discovered methods to like and serve and provide His life as a present to everybody round Him.
John 13:14
Now that I, your Lord and Trainer, have washed your toes, you additionally ought to wash each other’s toes.
John 13:14
And this verse hits me particularly laborious as a reminder that Jesus’ good instance of humility was not simply given to us as a “good story,” however as strategy to present us how we will stick with it His work – washing toes and serving others.
Directions On How To Be Humble
Psalm 25:8-9
Good and upright is the Lord;
due to this fact he instructs sinners in his methods.
He guides the standard in what is true
and teaches them his method.Psalm 25:8-9
An ideal place to start out in your quest for humility is asking the Lord for steerage. Strategy God with an open thoughts and a keen, teachable coronary heart. He’ll information you and educate you.
Micah 6:8
He has proven you, O mortal, what is sweet.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To behave justly and to like mercy
and to stroll humbly together with your God.Micah 6:8
No character trait stands alone and humility isn’t any exception. Humility, a coronary heart looking for the great of others, goes hand-in-hand with different traits like justice and mercy.
John 3:30
He should develop into better; I need to develop into much less.
John 3:30
That is certainly one of my favourite Bible verses on humility as a result of it captures an important half. It’s truly why I named my 30-Day Weight Loss Devotional “Much less of Me”!
After we notice it’s not about us, it’s about Him, then we might be actually humble. That doesn’t imply we’re meaningless. We’ve got immense worth to God! It’s simply not about us. It’s about Him.
That’s much less in regards to the outward actions and extra in regards to the stance of our coronary heart and the way we see God, ourselves, and others.
Romans 12:16
Dwell in concord with each other. Don’t be proud, however be keen to affiliate with individuals of low place. Don’t be immodest.
Romans 12:16
On this verse, we are given outward indicators that exhibits our humble coronary heart – dwelling in concord with each other and associating with individuals of low place.
If these two issues aren’t occurring in your life proper now, there’s no must be ashamed. It’s simply a good way to do a coronary heart examine.
What’s a method you can begin engaged on these two issues at present? Begin there.
1 Corinthians 1:28-29
God selected the lowly issues of this world and the despised issues—and the issues that aren’t—to nullify the issues which are, in order that nobody might boast earlier than him. 1 Corinthians 1:28-29
1 Corinthians 1:28-29
Paul right here is writing about how God doesn’t suppose the way in which we do. He’s the Lord of Lord and King of Kings and He nonetheless chooses the lowly and despised of this world to come back to him.
Not simply the straight A college students, not simply the highest students and theologians, not simply essentially the most highly effective. He calls the “nothings” and tells them they’re “somethings.”
So, whether or not you’re a “nothing” or a high scholar, having that perspective of humility in both place is simply as essential.
Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers and sisters, had been known as to be free. However don’t use your freedom to indulge the flesh; moderately, serve each other humbly in love.
Galatians 5:13
As soon as once more, we see the Bible pair the phrase “humble” with serving others. When your coronary heart is for others, your actions naturally observe swimsuit.
Ephesians 4:2
Be utterly humble and mild; be affected person, bearing with each other in love.
Ephesians 4:2
Listed below are much more traits (and Fruit of the Spirit, no much less) that pair completely with humility – gentleness, endurance, love.
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of egocentric ambition or useless conceit. Moderately, in humility worth others above yourselves.
Philippians 2:3
The stark distinction between satisfaction and humility are described once more right here. Both you’ve egocentric ambitions and useless conceit OR you worth others above your self.
One has your eyes mounted on your self and the opposite is others-focused.
Colossians 3:12
Subsequently, as God’s chosen individuals, holy and dearly cherished, dress yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and endurance.
Colossians 3:12
I like the encouragement right here to “dress your self” with these traits. It’s a reminder that this stuff don’t simply “occur” or “come naturally” to some.
It’s a option to pursue compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and endurance.
James 3:13
Who is sensible and understanding amongst you? Allow them to present it by their good life, by deeds achieved within the humility that comes from knowledge.
James 3:13
This re-emphasizes the purpose we talked about earlier – when your coronary heart is really humble, your actions will observe together with your good deeds.
1 Peter 3:8
Lastly, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love each other, be compassionate and humble.
1 Peter 3:8
Right here, we see much more traits which are a lot extra about relationships with others than anything – being like-minded, sympathetic, loving one another, and displaying one another compassion.
How The Lord Rewards Humility
I believed it was essential to incorporate these final 4 verses as a reminder of the advantages of pursuing humility.
In fact, pursuing humility just for the aim of reaping a reward isn’t precisely the best coronary heart both, however God does level out some methods He selected to reward the humble-hearted.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my individuals, who’re known as by my title, will humble themselves and pray and search my face and switch from their depraved methods, then I’ll hear from heaven, and I’ll forgive their sin and can heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Right here, He selected to reward the individuals who humbled themselves and sought Him with forgiveness and therapeutic their land.
Psalm 149:4
For the Lord takes enjoyment of his individuals;
he crowns the standard with victory.Psalm 149:4
On this verse, the Lord not solely delights in these individuals, however he rewards them with victory!
James 4:10
Humble yourselves earlier than the Lord, and he’ll carry you up.
James 4:10
I bear in mind studying the tune, “Humble Thyself In The Sight Of The Lord” in faculty. The lyrics are quick and easy, but profound.
Humble thyself within the sight of the Lord
Humble thyself within the sight of the Lord
And He shall carry you up, greater and better
And He shall carry you up
I’m so grateful to have these phrases on repeat in my thoughts as a reminder to myself of this verse.
1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, due to this fact, below God’s mighty hand, that he might carry you up in due time.
1 Peter 5:6
And this final verse emphasizes the identical idea. Humble your self earlier than the Lord and He’ll carry you up.
