Great Attitudes Series: “Humility”

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” [Philippians 2:3-4 ESV]. Humility is a mental choice that we make not to focus on self…me…mine…my but on the other person. It is a servant’s mentality. When you strengthen your grip on attitudes, humility is a good place to begin.

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” [v.5]. Humility is not in how you dress, it is not in the money that you make, it is not in where you live, or even the car that you drive. We are never once told to look humble. Humility is an attitude. It is an attitude of the heart; it is an attitude of the mind. It is knowing your proper place. Never talking down or looking down because someone may be of a financial level less than yours. It is knowing your role and fulfilling it for God’s glory and praise.

There are only nine occurrences of the word “humility” in scripture. Consider the following chart of information.

Scripture Reference	Insights
Proverbs 15:33 - The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.	A state or quality of being straightforward and sincere, suggesting a lack of arrogance and pride
Proverbs 18:12 - Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,    but humility comes before honor.	The very time when one feels most secure (and thus is most arrogant) is when disaster is likely to occur. There is something of a first-shall-be-last quality to this teaching
Proverbs 22:4 - The reward for humility and fear of the LORD    is riches and honor and life.	Take notice of the triplet blessing – riches, honor, and life
Zephaniah 2:3 - Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,  who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility;  perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.	“Seek” is understood as a form of worship in this verse. Righteousness and humility are the results of seeking. WHY? These two qualities are sufficient to keep you from the anger of the Lord
Acts 20:19 - …serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;	Not self-seeking
Ephesians 4:2 - with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,	Not self-seeking
Philippians 2:3 - Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.	Two ways to measure humility: [Negatively] Avoid selfish ambition and vain conceit. [Positively] We are to EXCEL [counting] other people as more significant
Colossians 3:12 - Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,	Humility is part of a new wardrobe of Christianity
1 Peter 5:5 - Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."	Intentional adornment is what is being implied. Humility is intentional. If we choose to wear other garments of pride – God opposes or is openly hostile toward those who do wear such garments

HUMILITY – the discipline of putting others ahead of self, the choice to value others above self, is at its core, a matter of faith. (Charles Swindoll)