In Proverbs 15:33 we read, “The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” Proverbs 22:4 is similar, “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” In both cases, humility and fear of the Lord are paired together. The Bible is full of affirmation for the humble person, even though in biblical times humility was extremely despised culturally. In James 4, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, and the people of Babel who “wanted to make a great name” for themselves were humbled by God and scattered in various languages all over the earth (Gen. 11). Would you rather God oppose you or honor you? Humility is worth some serious consideration.

C.S. Lewis offers a famous clarification of what humility is: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity) Humility thinks rightly of yourself, with “sober judgment” as Paul says in Romans 12:3, not too highly or too lowly, but accurately.

In my “Morning and Evening” reading today from Charles Spurgeon, I was challenged with a good word about the honor God gives for those who are humble. God says in Isaiah 66:2, “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” Spurgeon states, “The whole exchequer of God shall be made over by deed of gift to the soul which is humble enough to be able to receive it without growing proud of it.” God knows that sometimes it is safer for our soul to be kept low, to go without, rather than to receive and start inflating with a sense of self-worth. Spurgeon says, “When a man is sincerely humble, and never ventures to touch so much as a grain of the praise, there is scarcely any limit to what God will do for him.” Spurgeon illustrates  that true humility is a flower that adorns any garden, a sauce that seasons every dish, and which will likewise improve your life in every case.

Of course, Jesus is our perfect example. Philippians 2 makes clear the steps of Jesus’ humiliation followed by God’s exaltation of Him. Jesus also instructs His followers in the good God offers to the humble in the first of His beatitudes, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:3)

I must confess that the renouncement and removal of every twisted tentacle of pride in my life, being replaced by the sweet aroma of true humility and the fear of the Lord, has been and probably always will be a lifelong pursuit for me. How does one grow in humility? Here are perhaps some thoughts:

1. Focus on the Lord rather than yourself – His cares and concerns, not your own, His desires and dreams, not your own, His praise and accomplishments, not your own. “May He increase and I decrease,” in the words of John the Baptist, greatest of the prophets. Set your sights on God, seeking Him, consumed with Him and His heart, abiding in Christ, His life filling you.
2. Exalt the Lord rather than yourself. This is a bit different than the first point. James 4:10 states, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” The Lord is great, and we are not. The Lord is worthy of praise, and we are not. As we lift up the name, the reputation, the glory of God, we are moving toward an accurate stance with where we should be, and God will honor that. Jesus says in Luke 14:11, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
3. Seek to bless others rather than yourself. In 1 Peter 5, we are called to submit to our elders, to clothe ourselves with humility toward one another. As we lift up those around us, finding ways to encourage, to affirm, and appreciate others rather than ourselves, humility is the natural byproduct. Prov. 27:2 states, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” Let us get wrapped up in praising others rather than promoting or justifying ourselves. 

Here is a final verse and word of warning, “Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” (Prov. 18:12) Humility is not only a means to honor, but it will keep you from utter destruction, physically and spiritually. Pride banished Satan from heaven, Adam and Eve from the Garden, and has wrecked countless people better than you and me. Fight it! Don’t be tame, mellow, or gentle in your battle against the sin of pride. Hate arrogance, ego, self-love. Relinquish them. Crucify them. Cultivate an emptying of self and a filling with Christ. More of Him and less of us!