The High Value of Humility

How often do we hear the word "humility" in our time? It seems people are far more concerned about self-confidence and being able to push their way through than being humble. Everyone wants to be served and play the role of a master. What would happen if we didn't have any servants to serve others in humility? We can only be useful in God's Kingdom if we are truly humble.

A Bible school teacher told his students that they needed three virtues to be a blessing in the work of the congregation. These were: humility, humility, humility. Of course, it is not just those who are entering the ministry who need to take this exhortation to heart and live it out. The virtue of humility is so necessary for every one of us in a congregation. Peter writes in 1 Peter 5:5, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” If we wish to have this grace of God, to be a blessing in the congregation, we absolutely need humility.

Humility is an often misunderstood virtue.

We must first understand what humility is not. It is not the confession that one is a sinner. Sometimes we hear from or read about people who say things like, “I’m a poor sinner; I’m a worm; I’m dust.” In doing so, they want to appear humble. But to wrap oneself in the robes of a sinner and to believe that one can never take them off is not humility but ignorance. God’s Word says: “…put off the old man with his deeds, and…put on the new man” (Colossians 3:9-10)! The tax collector in the temple who beat on his breast and said, “God, be merciful to me a sinner” did not remain a sinner but left justified (Luke 18:9-14).

Although the way a person dresses can sometimes reveal pride, the wearing of old, patched, and even dirty clothing does not display humility in a person.

Humility also does not reveal itself in the use of phrases such as “my humble self,” “your humble brother” or “your humble sister.” People who are truly humble do not need to emphasize their humility in words. In doing so, they only bring attention to themselves. 

What is humility?

It is an attitude of the heart through which a person can take the lower road of humility without resisting. It is the opposite of pride, arrogance, and haughtiness. In the context of our bible text, the warning is given: “God resists the proud.” The Word of God shows us people who were ruined because of their pride. Please read what happened to the proud King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 5:18-21) and King Belshazzar (verse 22-30)! Pay attention to the reason for Haman’s fall (Esther 6:7-10; 7:8-10) and in the New Testament to King Herod’s shameful end (Acts 12:2-23).Peter exhorts us: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God” (1.Peter 5:6). We also should do this willingly.

Why does God give grace to the humble?

He gives him grace to repent. Jesus says, “narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life” (Matthew 7:14).

Can we also not infer that the gate is low? We have to bend in order to pass through it. An artist had made a figure of Christ out of plaster. He let it stand outside so that it would dry. But a light rain softened the figure so that its head was bowed. The artist decided to leave the figure like that, for he said that anyone who wanted to look into the face of Christ would have to go onto his knees.

The humble are given God’s grace to be a blessing wherever God has placed them. One person who lived out true humility of heart and surrender to God was the African man Samuel Morris. It is reported of him that while registering at Taylor University, he was asked which room he wished to take. His answer was: “If there is a room no one else wants, give it to me.” God took pleasure in him, and his biography was appropriately titled: "A Spirit-filled life". God greatly used this humble-hearted man to be a blessing for the world around him!

The humble are given God’s grace to win people for Christ. A vagrant who had received salvation from Christ gave the following witness: The pastor from the area searched him out in his poor state, gave him clean clothes, helped him put them on, polished his shoes, and told him about Jesus. Then he referred him to a housing mission that gave him accommodation. “I didn’t want to know anything about your religion,” he said to the pastor, “but the thought that you cared so much about my soul that you polished my shoes didn’t leave me alone.” How our Lord Jesus also humbled Himself to win those who had fallen on hard times! He says, “Learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29).

The humble are given God’s grace to contribute to the unity of the congregation. In the Hebrew language, there are specific symbols that separate and connect words. The separating symbols are named “Domini” (lords), the connecting symbols “Servi” (servants). Likewise, there may be people in a congregation who would like to be lords but who do not contribute to unity. The connecting members are the servants. Let us remember this: The waters that flow towards the deep flow together. How hard it is to lead water uphill!

The humble are given God’s grace to take on more responsibility in the work of the Lord. God can entrust a higher position to one who is willing to do a lesser job. There was once a man who felt called to go to the Congo region of Africa as a missionary. He went but was first enlisted to grind knives. For nearly ten years, he did this job faithfully. It was a time of learning for him, and  later he would become the leader of that mission. James exhorts: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).

This true humility of heart reveals itself especially in the congregation.

A humble person is not jealous of another whom God uses in the forefront, like a golden vessel (2 Timothy 2:20-21). In fact, he can rejoice about it. 

The humble person is willing to take the way of humility by apologizing to a member of the congregation or even the entire congregation when necessary. I have experienced that you don’t lose anything if you choose this road. Quite the opposite, you only win with God and those around you. A humble person does not seek his own desires but puts the work of God first, even at the cost of his own reputation. 

A humble person demonstrates his humility of heart by his actions. Let me give one last example. A preacher brought a good sermon. So he thought if he went to the door, many people would shake his hand and say, “Brother, that was a good sermon!” To avoid this, he went out through a side exit. The question was asked: “Did the preacher show humility?” No, he demonstrated that humility was lacking. Otherwise he would have tolerated the praise. He had missed the opportunity to give God the glory. Paul says of himself: “I have learned... I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:11-12).

Hold fast to humility!

If God has given you grace to have a humble heart, dear reader, then hold fast to humility. Remember: Not the beginning but the end will be crowned. Hold fast to humility! When things are going well, that’s precisely when we need to hold fast, for on heights we can easily lose our balance. Persevere in your humility. Keep our text in mind: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble!” 

Reinhard Roesler

Toronto CA