What is True Humility?

If ever there was a subject twisted by society, it is humility.  True humility is so beautiful that it is a shame to find it missing in so many Christian lives.  I believe that most believers sincerely desire humility, but few ever truly grasp it.  Some people believe it is nearly impossible to have true humility.  And yet, when they feel prideful, they genuinely want to do something about it.

I feel led to speak to this issue today, but not because I’m a glowing example of humility, I’m not.  But because I believe God has given me some understanding of this subject.  I have been prideful over the years, so much so, sometimes even refusing compliments out of fear it would deny God His glory.  In all honesty, I would refuse complements because I wanted to appear humble to the people around me. This always leads to explanations such as, “Oh it’s not me, it’s the Lord!”   

I invite you to examine your heart as I examine mine: To what degree do you have humility?

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)

C.S. Lewis tells us that “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”  Is true humility possible? What does it look like?

The first definition of “humility” according to Webster’s 1828 dictionary is “...freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth.  It then goes on to say that humility consists in “...lowliness of mind; a deep sense of one's own unworthiness in the sight of God, self- abasement, penitence for sin, and submission to the divine will.”  That’s quite a standard to live up to in today’s world. 

In this blog post, I want to focus on the godly side of humility, and to get a clear understanding of what it is and what it looks like to be a humble Christian according to what the Bible says.  In the godly sense, being “humble” refers to a knowledge and recognition that we are lower than God, and humility is expressed by a state of voluntary submission to His will.  Godly humility starts when we see things as they really are, and realize that God is the Creator of the universe and the standard by which everything is measured or evaluated.

In some ways, the dictionary definition of humility brings clarity to the clash between the Christian and non-Christian worldview.  Dictionaries express the basic concept of humility, which is to be low in one’s own eyes.  Dictionaries contrast the “humble” person’s worldview in terms of other people, that he is “lower” than they are, definitions such as “a low estimate of one’s worth; not being assertive; or insignificant.”

A Christian definition of “humble,” modeled by Jesus Christ, is someone who in his own eyes is lower than God, his Creator, and consequently, always willing to believe what God says or do what God asks. The clearest picture of humility in the Bible, is Jesus.  He modeled godly humility for us.

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8)

It takes great inner strength and confidence to be humble.  We have to be completely comfortable with who we are before God, and with not being recognized by the world.  An old Mac Davis song says, “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way.”   

There are real reasons that it is hard to be humble.  One reason is that we humans have a sin nature that is always trying to express itself.  The Bible warns us that, “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit...” (Galatians 5:17a) Our flesh and its sin nature are always nudging us to be self-willed and ignore or disobey the commands of God. Humility takes self-denial.

Another reason it is hard to be humble is because the Devil makes sure we pay a high price for it.  The god of this world is Satan (See 2 Cor. 4:4), and one of his chief characteristics is pride.  He submits to God in nothing, and refuses to acknowledge any good in God’s work, which is why he only steals, kills, and destroys. (See John 10:10)  Satan, and the world he controls, hates God’s work, which is why the New Testament tells us, “Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.” (1 John 3:13)

To the world, Christians are narrow minded, bigoted, exclusive, and even foolish or dangerous.  In addition, the world mistakes the gentle, loving, and humble ways of Christians for weakness.  Satan and those who work for him make sure that whenever Christians speak up, the world reacts violently against them.  That is why Scripture says, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Tim. 3:12)  The truth of these words is obvious, and the persecution of Christians is occurring all over the world.

And so, humility is submitting ourselves to the will of God and obeying Him. Humility is expressed as believing what God says and doing what He asks.  It is an attitude of the heart that naturally recognizes that we are lower than God and owe our lives to Him.  And we learn about humility from studying the words and actions of Jesus Christ, the only perfectly humble person who ever lived.

If we are not careful, our courage will give way to fear, and we will submit to it and not to God, and act in ways that do not bring the honor and glory to God that He deserves.  Yes, it is “hard to be humble,” but God deserves it, and as Paul wrote, “…we make it our goal to please him…” (2 Cor. 5:9a)

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