Humility

 Once when I was young, I won a metal for being humble, but they took it way because I started wearing it.  In the King James Bible, the word humility is itself mentioned 7 times, the words humble and humbled are mentioned 56 times, the synonyms meek and meekness are also mentioned 29 times. There are at 41 Bible Verses about Humility. Many people have the wrong idea about God, the Bible and humility, or being humble. They think being humble means groveling in front of others or thinking they are no good and others are better. That’s not what the Bible says. God says when you are humble, you are free from pride and arrogance. You know that in your flesh you are inadequate, yet you also know who you are in Christ. You don’t need to defend yourself when you understand what the Bible says about humility, for you know who you are in Christ. You can be a peacemaker without needing to fight for your rights. You can walk humbly in the power of the Holy Spirit, not in your own strength. Godly humility is being comfortable with who you are in the Lord and therefore putting others first. The picture of humility in the Bible is one of a strong people who loves others, not someone who is a wimp. (Britton, 2020)

Humility is the quality of being humble. … Humility comes from the Latin word humilis, which literally means low. If you feel humility in front of someone, you feel small in the scheme of things — that you are just a simple, insignificant person. Someone who spends his life taking care of others shows humility. Proverbs 11:2  reminds us, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” Humility is considered a state of being, highlighted by your behavior and approach to things. It’s also considered one of the virtues of the human condition, along with kindness, patience, diligence, charity, temperance and chastity. Humility is often thought to occur in the absence of pride. “Humility is about emotional neutrality. It involves an experience of growth in which you no longer need to put yourself above others, but you don’t put yourself below them, either. Everyone is your peer – from the most “important” person to the least. You’re just as valuable as every other human being on the planet, no more and no less. It’s about behaving and reacting from purposes, not emotions. You learn to simply disconnect or de-program the competitive reflex in situations where it’s not productive. (Albrecht, n.d.)  The legendary gestalt therapist Fritz Perls said, “I do my thing and you do your thing. I am not in this world to live up to your expectations, and you are not in this world to live up to mine. You are you, and I am I, and if by chance we find each other, it’s beautiful.  If not, it can’t be helped.” (Perls, n.d.) Proverbs 3:34 states, ”Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.” And Matthew 23:12 tells us,  “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

“Let’s focus on how humility can help people to live their lives. One study (Davis et al., 2012) found that humbler people are able to develop stronger interpersonal relationships because they accept others for who they are instead of trying to classify them according to their internal belief system. In fact, humility doesn’t just help you to build better relationships with your friends and family – it can also help to repair rifts after disagreements. Perhaps that’s because humbler people are more likely to say, ‘I’m sorry.’ This acceptance also means that humble people tend to be less prejudiced. After all, they have a lower sense of entitlement and they’re less likely to impose their own beliefs onto others. The truly humble person knows that everybody is equal, regardless of their skin color, their political affiliation or their religious beliefs. A further psychological study into humility (LaBouff et al., 2011) found that humbler participants were more likely to offer their help – as well as their time and their money – to people who needed it. That’s why certain professions – such as nursing – tend to attract a higher proportion of humble workers. Nurses aren’t in it for the glory – they know that helping other people is reward enough. Compare a nurse to a professional sportsperson and ask yourself which is more likely to help an old lady cross the street – and who’s more likely to show off and celebrate when they achieve something.” (Savoie, 2017)

We have before said that the Bible is the book which teaches us of the divine graces and perfections; so to this book we go to learn more about this adorable grace. We soon learn that this holy quality is more frequently commended than any other and that we are more urgently enjoined to wear it on our hearts. Humility is not a grace distinct from the other graces, but it makes up a large portion of them and is inseparable from them. In the human character and in the Christian religion there is no virtue nor excellence but is highly imbued with this grace. It is the foundation and the crown of all moral excellence. No virtue can truly be virtue unless it bears the stamp of humility, and no temper of the soul is truly perfect till it is cleansed by being immersed in this grace. Humility is the parent and nurse of all the holy qualities in the Christian character. All can have this grace. It is not suited to the lowest condition of life only, but those who move in the loftiest circles can have it. It is not a grace that degrades, but a grace that exalts. Oh, what a sweet, pure grace it is! It is wholly free from self and from all that is impure, sensual, or devilish. It is heavenly in its nature. It is not a grace that lifts man up to be great in his own opinion, on the contrary, it enables him to be contented to be little.” (Orr, n.d.)

The bible is very clear about the importance of humility. James 4:6 tells us, “But he gives more grace. Therefore, it says, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  Colossians 3:12  states, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,”  Proverbs 11:2 warns us,  “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”  Saint Augustine reminds us. “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”

Albrecht, K. (n.d.). Psychology Today. Retrieved from The Paradoxical Power of Humility : https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brainsnacks/201501/the-paradoxical-power-humility

Britton, D. (2020). DougBritton.com. Retrieved from The Meaning of Humility in the Bible: https://www.dougbrittonbooks.com/onlinebiblestudies-selfworthandrespect/meaningofhumilityinthebible-humbleinbible/

Orr, C. (n.d.). TimelessTruths. Retrieved from The Hidden Life – Humility: https://library.timelesstruths.org/texts/The_Hidden_Life/Humility/

Perls, F. (n.d.). GoodReads. Retrieved from Quotes: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/195247-i-do-my-thing-and-you-do-your-thing-i

Savoie, B. (2017, June 22). Psyvhology Today. Retrieved from How Humility Can Improve Your Life: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brainsnacks/201501/the-paradoxical-power-humility