Acts of Humility

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Humility is perhaps one of the most difficult lines we have to tread. It is defined as, “A modest or low view of one's own importance; humbleness.” (Source)

I don’t know about you, but that definition makes me feel like I should strive to look down on myself in an effort to not put myself ‘over’ anyone else. But let’s look at what the bible says about humility.

Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4) I love this. This is the bible’s definition of humility and I would like to take a moment to unfold it for you.

Recently in my own walk with God I have struggled with this. I felt that anytime God said something elevating to me I had to more or less dismiss it as Him just being nice. I couldn’t fully accept Him saying, “You look beautiful today.” Or “You did a good job with that.” Or “I’m proud of you.” I was afraid that He was going to give me a big head and I would then struggle with pride. I told Him He couldn’t say things like that to me because, well, everyone did a good job and everyone was special and everyone is pretty. I couldn’t accept any complement because I just wasn’t worth it and that was my way of being humble.

The world and religion teaches us that we should hang our heads low and belittle ourselves. If you ever do anything well, also consider what you don’t do well so you won’t get a big head. But I have an interesting thought about this philosophy. We were created in the image of God. If you believe any part of the bible you probably believe that. If we were created in God’s image and we belittle the good things that we do and all good things are of God (Mark 10:18), then are we not belittling God? Who seeks to make God smaller than He truly is? Who is it that seeks to humiliate God? Satan! So if we refuse to see the good that God is doing in us and through us, are we not saying that His goodness is…well, no good? This is dangerous ground people.

So then, how are we to be humble? Well, as the verse says, “Humility is the fear of the Lord.” If we stand before God and compare ourselves to Him we will always be humbled, for He is so far above us how can we even stand? But if we look around us and try to be humble compared to others, then we are constantly trying to see how we measure up to each other. We are not looking at Him we are looking to others and ourselves. And who can accurately measure themselves against another person? I know I can’t.

In conclusion, we look to God and are humbled, and we receive, humbly, His joy in us. Then, when we are around others, God will elevate those who need to be elevated and humble those who need to be humbled. The whole time this parable has been in my head so I will share it with you. Many of you will be familiar with the last verse.

“7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ (Luke14:7-11)”


The last part of the proverb is this, “its wages are riches and honor and life.” God seeks to give good things, and He is in NO way stingy. He is abundantly generous and kind, and He gives joyfully to those who humble themselves before Him. So if what you seek is humility, then lift your eyes to Him and if what you seek is to be elevated, again, lift your eyes to Him. He will show you and share with you who you truly are, and God never fails to make good things. 


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