Humility

Humility: an essential to a growing and flourishing Christian life. If we desire to know the Lord more and serve Him better, we must walk in humility.

"The greatest test of whether the holiness we profess to seek or to attain in truth and life will be whether it produces an increasing humility in us. In man, humility is the one thing needed to allow God's holiness to dwell in him and shine through him. The chief mark of counterfeit holiness is lack of humility. The holiest will be the humblest." ~Andrew Murray

Humility is required by God:
Micah 6:8 He hath Shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering,

"Humility and patience are the surest proofs of the increase of love." ~John Wesley

God loves and rewards humility and hates pride:
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

1 Peter 5:5-7 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

To submit or make one's self subject to another is to exercise humility, as is casting all care on Jesus. We are thus admitting our lack of sufficiency and acknowledging our Lord's all-sufficiency. We are recognizing that we are not the answer and that He indeed is!

Clarke says of verse 6, "If we humble not ourselves under God's grace, He will humble us under His judgments. Those who patiently submit to Him, He exalts in due time; if His hand be mighty to depress, it is also mighty to exalt."

James 4:6,7, & 10 But He giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee form you. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.

Psalm 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

"The highest glory of the creature is in being a vessel, to receive and enjoy and show forth the glory of God. It can do this only as it is willing to be nothing in itself, that God may be everything." ~Andrew Murray

No blessings accompany pride:
Psalm 18:27 For Thou wilt save the afflicted people: but wilt bring down high looks.

Proverbs 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Proverbs 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18-19 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Additional verses on humility:
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory: but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate,. Be not wise in your own conceits.

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of widsom: and before honour is humility.

"I am persuaded that love and humility are the highest attainments in the school of Christ and the brightest evidences that He is indeed our Master." ~John Newton