HUMILITY
Nancy Gaughan
Throughout the Bible we are admonished to be humble and told the rewards for being humble. We are also warned against being proud and are told the consequences of being proud. Depending on which translation, we are told anywhere from 24 to 48 times to be humble.
Examples:
In Lev 23:27 when speaking of the Day of Atonement, He says the people who do not humble themselves will be cut off from the people.
In 2Chr. 7:14 He says if the people who are called by His name (that’s us) will humble themselves and pray and seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways, He will hear and forgive their sin and heal their land.
In Job 22:29 Job says He will save the humble person.
In 8 Psalms and 6 Proverbs God tell us He will uplift the humble and bring down the proud.
Christ describes Himself as humble. (Matt. 11:29) and The Holy Spirit through the writers of the epistles exhorts us to be humble. (Jas. 4:6,10. 1Pet. 5:5-6)
Humility is hard to get a grasp of. Webster’s Dictionary could only give appearances or characteristics of being humble. In the play, Camelot, is a song, “7 Deadly Virtues”, in which Lancelot sings, “It’s not the earth the meek inherit, it’s the dirt”.
The opposite of humility is pride. We easily recognize pride in others, but not in ourselves. We all can chuckle at My Sweethearts comment, “The virtue I had the most trouble with was humility. I’m glad I finally got that one mastered.”
One of the definition of pride in Webster’s Dictionary is an an overinflated opinion of one’s self.
Pride leads us to behaviors that give us away:
-Putting one’s one welfare before others.
-Taking credit for anything: wealth, education, work, abilities, etc.
How do we avoid such traps? A single word, “Remember”. From remembrance flows thanksgiving.What are we to remember?
1. Remember He is God, and you are not. Job 38:4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” He is God, in control of everything. You are not. Are you thankful?
2.EVERYTHING you have is a gift from God. You have earned, you deserve NOTHING.
a.Your body. He created you to be the unique individual you are. Yes, your parents DNA came together to make you. Yet, look at any two children of the same parents. Why did one turn out a boy and another a girl? Why do none of the children look alike? Even identical twins are not truly identical. Who determined which parts of the female’s DNA would combine with which parts of the male’s DNA? As the Bible said Ps. 139:13 NKJ translation “You formed my inward parts: You covered me in my mother’s womb”. The NASB says “You formed my inward parts: You wove me in my mother’s womb” You are not merely a product of human behavior. Are you thankful for who you are?
b.Your body and the ability for it to function. You can see. You can hear, some of us better than others. You can move, again, some of us better than others. You can eat and your body processes the food. You can breathe. Your heart beats. Watching ALS progress in my brother, made me aware that those very functions were gifts from God. Do you awake every morning being thankful you can do these basic things?
c.The talents and abilities you have are gifts. Like the craftsmen who built the Ark (Ex.31:3-11), He gives us the abilities to do the work He has for us. Some of the abilities He gives for a certain time, like my teaching little children in Sunday School. Some for a lifetime.
Examples:
-The ability to learn languages and write these Bible studies. I have it. My sweetheart doesn’t.
-The ability to master complex mathematical equations and concepts. He has it. I do not.
-The ability to earn the money to buy what you have.
Have you worked hard to get it? Of course. The ability to do the work is God’s gift. Again, going back to the construction of the ark, God gave the craftsmen the abilities so they could build the are and tabernacle. Should they have taken pleasure when they were finished and it came out perfect? Why not? When we do God’s work as He wants, we feel His pleasure.
Are you thankful for the abilities and work He has given you, or do you take them for granted or even grumble about the work? It is boring. It is not rewarding. You aren’t growing. If you remember every good thing you have is from God, you will be thankful. Dt. 26:11 “Rejoice in every good thing which the Lord your God has given to you and your house.”
3. Remember all He has done for and given to you. Everyone’s life is different. He has given some a wonderful family growing up. Some He has blessed with a loving spouse and children. Some He has blessed with a fulfilling, rewarding career. Some He has blessed with good health. Do you recognize the good things/people in your life? Are you thankful for them?
To ALL of us:
a.He has given us His word, the Bible, written in our own language. The Bible is His word, not merely a collection of stories written by men. (2Ti 3:16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” Those without a Bible can tell from nature there is an eternal power. (Rom 1:20 )“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power, His divine nature, having been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so they are without excuse.” In giving us His word He has given us a way to really know Him as much as we with our limited understanding can. We are so blessed to have His word. Are you thankful?
b.He has given His Son. Christ came as a baby to live among us to show us what living a God centered life looks like. He died to pay the price for our sin and shortcomings. He rose on the third day and again walked among people to show us He is God and we can trust all He said and promised about our future.
c.He has given us the Holy Spirit to live within us. (Jn.14:26)” But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” Jn. 15:26 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth. Who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me.” Jn. 16:8-11”When He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness, and judgement. And the Spirit gives us gifts and abilities. Gal. 5:22-23 lists the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control. Eph.5:9 says “the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. 1Cor.12:8-11 “For to one is given a word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according the the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effect of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, and to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” Are you aware and thankful you have God within you?
We can recognize pride in others by their putting themselves first, drawing attention to themselves, and by taking credit when it isn’t deserved.
Humility is recognized by a spirit of thanksgiving. As it says in 1Chr.16:8 “Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name: Make know His deeds among the peoples!” Again, depending on the translation, there are anywhere from 34 to 68 times we are told to give thanks.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s give thanks.