Attitudes of the Heart - Humility
Humility is required to have the proper, biblical view of God, self and others. Jesus Christ exuded humility. It was one of His chief characteristics (Isa 42:1-4, Zec 9:9). As such, when the Christian grows in the faith, maturing into Christ-likeness, he will increasingly the humility that Christ himself possessed (2 Cor 10:1).The opposite of humility is pride. Pride is at the top of God’s hate list!
Proverbs 16:5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What does God think of those who are proud?[/su_box]
Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What do the things listed with pride in these lists tell us about the seriousness of pride?[/su_box][su_box title="Think and Apply" style="soft" box_color="#E67600"]In your opinion, why does God hate pride so much?[/su_box]Pride was the sin that caused Satan to be cast out of heaven (Isa 14:14-15). Satan sowed the seeds of pride in the heart of Adam and Eve in the garden (Gen 3:5-6). Pride remains a chief characteristic of Satan and of all who follow him (John 8:31-59; 1John 2:16). It is pride that is behind all strife, wrath and unbelief (Prov 13:10; Prov 21:24; Ps 10:4). Finally, pride is always followed by shame, destruction and humiliation (Prov 11:2; Prov 29:23; Prov 16:18).God is the sovereign of the universe and Jesus Christ is Lord over all. God and God alone deserves honour, exaltation and praise (Ps 148:13). So, everytime man lifts himself up in pride, he challenges the sovereignty and glory of God. He vies for the honour and praise that God alone is worthy of.God hates pride so much that he designed the entire salvation plan in such a way as to eliminate any possibility that men could boast of their salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:19-31 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What will God destroy?Q. v26. God has not called many of whom to salvation?Q. v27-28. Why has God chosen to operate this way?Q. v29. Because God has planned salvation this way, what can no man do?[/su_box]Salvation is by grace through faith and not of human works “lest any man should boast” (Eph 2:9). God actively designed salvation in such a way that human pride could play no part. As the hymnwriter put it: Naught have I gotten but what I received;
Grace hath bestowed it since I have believed;Boasting excluded, pride I abase;I’m only a sinner, saved by grace!
Humility – A Key to the Kingdom of God
Jesus Christ’s main opponents during his earthly ministry were the scribes and Pharisees. It is not surprising to learn that these two groups were known for their self-righteous pride (Luke 16:14-15). They strutted about under the guise of religious elitism the entire time being children of the devil and on their way to Hell. (John 8:44, Matt 23:15) Matt 23:1-12.[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. v5. Why did these men “do their works?”[/su_box]Jesus went on to say that the scribes and Pharisees always sought the best seats at dinners and at synagogue. They loved personal attention and recognition in public. They relished titles designed to exalt them above the common people. The position they held within their religious system was, to them, something to be proud of and they wasted no opportunity to remind others of that fact.The scribes and Pharisees were proud legalists. They prided themselves on keeping the rules that they wrote themselves. They were not concerned with inward purity, but only outward appearance (Matt 23:27). They were hypocrites who worshipped God with their lips, but not their hearts (Matt 15:1-9). What we see proven over and over again by the example of the scribes and Pharisees is that legalism and pride go hand-in-hand. The legalist believes he can please God in and of himself. He is depending upon his own righteousness to earn favour with God. Naturally, the man or woman who believes they have earned God’s grace will be lifted up with pride by what they perceive to be their accomplishment. (Rom 10:3; Rom 3:37)In Luke 18:9-14 we find a striking illustration of this as Christ contrasts the prideful legalism of the Pharisees with the genuine repentance of a humble publican. The Pharisees were the religious rulers while the publicans were despised by the Jews and regarded as sinners (Matt 9:10-11; Matt 11:19).
Luke 18:9-14 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. Who did Jesus speak this parable to?Q. v9. As a result of their self-righteousness, how did they feel about others?Q. v11. Why did the Pharisee thank God?Q. v11-12. What standards did the Pharisee use to judge himself as righteous?[/su_box][su_box title="Think and Apply" style="soft" box_color="#E67600"]It is good to not be an extortioner, or unjust, or an adulterer. It is a good thing to fast and to give money. So, what did this man have wrong?[/su_box][su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. v13. What would the publican not do?[/su_box][su_box title="Think and Apply" style="soft" box_color="#E67600"]The publican would not even look to heaven and he hit himself on his chest. What do you think these actions say about his view of God and himself?[/su_box]The publican in Jesus’ parable was the complete opposite of the Pharisee. The Pharisee had a distorted view of God, himself and others. He thought he was good enough to find favour with God. So good in fact, that he had the audacity to praise himself and his works before God. He felt that as long as his works outshined the works of others, he had attained righteousness. In contrast, the publican with utter humility would not even look to Heaven. But he stood with head bowed and smiting himself on the chest (a gesture of disdain for himself and his sinfulness), he prayed only seven words “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Q. v14. Who went home justifed?[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. v14. What truth was Jesus teaching through this parable?[/su_box]The publican had no pretense about him. He knew he could not save himself and was unworthy of God’s mercy. He humbly, and with anguish, cast himself at the feet of God the Father seeking forgiveness. These men were simply illustrations in Jesus’ parable. He painted the picture of a prideful and self-righteous man in contrast to a humble sinner in order to illustrate the way of salvation. The truth in this parable applies to every man or woman who comes to God for mercy.
Child-like Humility
Matthew 18:1-4 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. v1. What question did the disciples ask Jesus?[/su_box]Jesus did not accept the premise of the disciple’s question. He told them that they had to be “converted.” That is, their thinking was completely wrong and unless they understood the right attitude necessary to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, they would not enter in.[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. v4. What attitude is required to enter the kingdom of Heaven?[/su_box][su_box title="Think and Apply" style="soft" box_color="#E67600"]Why do you think Jesus used a child as an example? In what ways must we become like a child in order to be saved?[/su_box]A child is helpless and dependent. He has no accomplishments, no titles, and no lust for worldly exaltation. He is the epitome of humility. He has no pretense and no hypocrisy, only a simple trust and reliance. To come to God as a child is to put aside our facades and self-righteousness, casting ourselves at his feet declaring our unworthiness and inability to save ourselves.Jesus emphasized this truth in Matthew 5:3 where he said “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven..” To be poor in spirit is to be humble, destitute and utterly dependent upon God. This is the attitude that everyone must have when they come to God for salvation. In contrast to this sincere humility, Psalms 10:4 says The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
Humility – The Basis of a Biblical Worldview
The Pharisee in Luke 18 was lifted up with pride and unwilling to humble himself before God. Not only did his pride preclude him from entering heaven, but it perverted his view in three important areas: his view of God, his view of himself, and his view of others. Likewise, everyone who is prone to pride will also have an ungodly and unbiblical view in each of these areas.
1. A Wrong View of Self
1 Peter 1:24 for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What is man’s glory like? What will come of it?[/su_box]
Romans 12:3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. How should man think of himself?[/su_box]
1 Corinthians 4:7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. Answer the three questions found in this verse.[/su_box]
1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What did Paul recognizes about his own abilities?[/su_box]The psalmist had the right view of himself when he wrote Psalms 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? Humility recognizes our sinfulness, our inability and our unworthiness of God’s favour.
1 Timothy 1:15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. Earlier we saw a parable about a Pharisee and a publican. The Pharisee was self-righteous. He judged himself righteous by comparing himself to others. He had the wrong standard. How was Paul’s view of himself different than the Pharisee?[/su_box]
2. A Wrong View of God
Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What will God not share?[/su_box]God alone deserves praise. He is the sovereign of the universe, the provider, protecter and enabler. Man has no right to exalt himself, because all that he is and all that he possesses is graciously provided by God (Deu 8:17-18; 1 Cor 4:7). The prideful man has lost sight of this and places himself in a position that only God should occupy.
3. A Wrong View of Others
Isaiah described the selfish, self-righteous, condescending attitude of prideful rebels when he summarized their attitude towards others in Isaiah 65:5: “[They] say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou.” God responded, “These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.” In stark contrast to these rebels, Philippians 2:3-4 tells us to view one another as better than ourselves. When we do this, we will also be concerned with the “things” of others more than our own things. This humility will lead us to care for, provide for, and pray for one another (1 Cor 12:25; James 5:16). It will enable us to forgive one another and ultimately serve one another (Eph 4:32; Gal 5:13).This humble love and care for one another is a far cry from the attitude of the Jews of Isaiah’s day or the Pharisees of Christ’s day.[su_box title="Think and Apply" style="soft" box_color="#E67600"]How might our flesh react to the idea of serving one another or esteeming each other as better than ourselves? What fears might we have in doing so?[/su_box]Without humility we cannot have a biblical view of God, ourselves or others. We will diminish God’s glory, exalt ourselves and disregard others. As a result, we will fail to the character of Christ and bring shame to the name of God. Humility is really a cornerstone of Christian character. It is absolutely essential to properly the character of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ - The Perfect Example of Humility
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. How did Jesus describe himself?[/su_box]Jesus said that those who take his yoke upon them would “learn of him.” What would they learn? Meekness and lowliness. Humility is one of the hallmarks of Christ-like character. The Christian who walks with Christ on a daily basis through Bible reading, prayer and obedience will become increasingly like him. That is, he will exhibit more and more humility.In Philippians 2 Paul exhorts us to show humility. He uses Jesus Christ as the perfect example.
Philippians 2:3-11 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What attitude will keep us from doing things through strife and vanity?Q. v3. How does a proper view of ourselves (lowliness or humility) cause us to see others?Q. v4. How does humility change what we are concerned or preoccupied with?[/su_box][su_box title="Think and Apply" style="soft" box_color="#E67600"]How is humility different from low self-esteem or a poor self-image? How does Christ’s example in verses 5-8 make the distinction clear?[/su_box][su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. Pride causes men to exalt themselves, to seek prominence over others, to relish in accolades and to spend much of their lives ensuring that their projected image is secure. Humility is the exact opposite, according to Philippians 2:7-8, what did Christ’s humility allow him to do?[/su_box]Humility is not concerned with self-image or reputation; it allows others to be perceived as superior. The humble person does not spend much time defending himself or habilitating his image, nor is he concerned with maintaining social status. Jesus possessed all the glory of God the Father but “thought it not robbery to be equal to God.” That means he did not feel compelled to grasp onto or protect his status. He willingly humbled himself by becoming a man and even subjected himself to the hatred, abuse and humiliation of those who were inferior to him.Christ is the perfect embodiment of humility. All who come to him for salvation must humble themselves in the process. Even after salvation, as a believer grows spiritually, he increases in meekness and lowliness (Matt 11:29). In a striking contrast to this world’s thinking, even (and especially) those who are leaders in the church are to exemplify humility in the form of servant leadership.
Humility Means Servant Leadership
Matthew 20:25-28 But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. How did leaders behave themselves in the “Gentile world?”Q. v26-27. How did Jesus say his disciples should behave?Q. v28. What did Christ appeal to in his own life as an illustration of servant leadership?[/su_box]The Example of Christ
John 13:13-15 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. How did Jesus illustrate humble servant-leadership?Q. v13. Who is Jesus?Q. Jesus was not instituting a new ordinance for the church in this passage. He was using an object lesson to illustrate a divine truth. If he was not instructing us to literally “wash one another’s feet”, what do you think he was teaching us?[/su_box]
Humility Leads to Exaltation
Matthew 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. Who will be exalted?[/su_box]
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What must happen before God can exalt us? When will he do it?[/su_box]The Bible says that after Christ took upon himself the form of a servant and became obedient unto death that God exalted him and gave him a name which is above every name (Php 2:7-9). This passage starts by telling us to let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. God’s exaltation comes when we put down our own fleshly pride and humble ourselves like Christ. This exaltation may not come in this life, but we can be assured that it will come. Remember, the Pharisees sought man’s exaltation through pride and got it in this life (Matt 6:5). The Christian is to seek God’s exaltation through humility and look for exaltation in the next life.[su_box title="Review!" style="soft" box_color="#FF4D2C"]1. What does God think of pride? Why?2. In what ways is humility required to be saved?3. If we are prideful, we will have a distorted view in three key areas, what are they?4. How will our view of God, ourselves and others be tainted by pride?5. How do you think a biblical understanding of the nature of man might help us with our pride? (Rom 3:10,23) 6. How does humility view others?7. How is Christ the perfect example of humility?[/su_box]