The Scripture exhorts us to show all humility to all men (Titus 3:2). But what is humility? Obviously, everyone has an awareness of what humility is, but our understanding is often contaminated by extraneous germs tarnishing its beauty and purity. Added to it, the Scripture speaks about false humility (Col. 2:18, 2:23), i.e., of a behavior that might have some of the external forms of true humility but not its content.
Purifying the concept
To begin with, let’s have a look to what humility is not. It is not a state of mind or a specific behavior proceeding from a consciousness of inferiority, for God is exalted above all and absolutely humble. Likewise, it has nothing to do with belittling oneself, for God is greater than anyone and altogether humble. In a similar fashion, it is not to regard oneself unfit or insignificant, for God is perfectly fit, highly significant, and perfectly humble. Here the list could go on and on, but I think the point I want to make is already clear.
A few observations engendered by the purification
On the basis of what we have just seen we can say: One can recognize himself the vilest sinner and manifest at the same time a very high degree of pride. Similarly, a person can see himself as unimportant and yet exhibit a very arrogant profile. But the opposite is also true: A person can evaluate himself superior to all, and this in accordance with the truth, and yet be more humble than them all—God is a perfect example of such a case. What I am saying is that a person doesn’t need to deny the truth to be humble. You can be honest and humble at the same time. Rafael Nadal doesn’t need to deny his skill on a tennis court to be humble.
A scriptural confirmation
The apostle Paul exemplifies beautifully what we have seen so far. He writes:
You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe” (1 Thess. 2:10).
Some might say that such a statement is quite arrogant, but if it is according to truth it is not necessarily wrong to attest it. Paul also writes:
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)
Here Paul says that he labored more abundantly than all the other apostles and yet, speaking to the elders of the church at Ephesus, he says:
You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility”. (Acts 20:18,19)
What I am saying is that a person doesn’t need to deny the facts to be humble. As a matter of fact, the individual that says he is nothing, or the most ignorant, or terribly inept is often dressing himself with false humility. He may as well say, “I am the most arrogant”. Obviously, such a statement would not make him humble.
On being humble and being humbled
Circumstances can humble us, but they cannot make us humble. To be humble and to be humbled are two different state of affairs. The Bible teaches that the proud will be humbled, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will become humble. Here are a few verses shedding a great degree of light on the subject:
“The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” (Isaiah 2:11)
“People shall be brought down, each man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled.” (Isaiah 5:15)
“Behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, will lop off the bough with terror; those of high stature will be hewn down, and the haughty will be humbled.” (Isaiah 10:33)
These verses, among others, don’t imply the haughty person will become humble. He might be embarrassed or perhaps frustrated, but these sensations cannot by themselves engender true humility.
Being humbled and humbling one-self
As we have seen, the proud person shall be humbled, but the humble person will humble himself. These two occurrences are very different. The former leads to humiliation, the latter to exaltation.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matt. 23:12)
As the Scripture attests, Jesus humbled Himself and was eventually exalted.
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name” (Phil. 2:8,9)
Actually God’s word exhorts us to humble ourselves:
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time”. (1 Peter 5:6)
What is humility?
So what is humility? True humility is an intrinsic part of a person’s character. It is not produced by circumstances nor affected by intrinsic or extrinsic truths. Like generosity, it can be manifested by external situations but these situations cannot engender it. For instance, God’s humility rests solely on His character. It has to do with who He is, and it is manifested by what He does. The same is true of the humble person. His humility will always rest on his character. Now the good news is that God can mold our character through divine grace. That’s right! As we stay close to Him, following Him on the path of daily life and yielding to his demands, He will transform us into the image of His Son. I am not saying the process will be easy, I am only saying God can do it.
The person who seeks humility with a sincere heart has God on his side, and you can be sure God will honor his godly desire. He shall be guided to the object of his quest and shall see the Sun of righteousness arising above him.
Let us give heed to the directive of Wisdom and seek righteousness and humility (Zephaniah 2:3), for the one who seeks shall find.
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