We all know them. They are myopically concerned with themselves. How they feel. What they need. How others treat them. Often they’re angry because others don’t do what they want. In the long run, they’re lonely because they’ve alienated and worn out those around them. It can get lonesome being all about #1. If they only knew the secret! The pride that makes us self-centered never gives us what we truly want. Humility does.
On the other hand, we all know folks who are always thinking of others and finding ways to unselfishly help. Recently Husband’s cousin and his wife put aside their normal life and came a thousand miles to care for another cousin who was sick and alone. They actually saved his life and with their help the man is recovering. They had nothing to gain by helping but they willingly gave up privacy, normal routine, and rest to kindly care for him. Yet they didn’t ask for anything in return and are truly glad to help. They are humble servants and happy! So, how do we up our ‘humble game’?
Humble people think about the well-being of others.
One component of humility is that we can set aside ourselves long enough to consider someone else.Ken Blanchard is quoted as saying, “Don’t think less of yourself, just think of yourself less.” The Bible puts it this way:
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others . . . each person should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4
“No one is to seek his own advantage, but rather that of others.. . not seeking my own benefit but the benefit of the many, so that they may be saved.” 1 Corinthians 10:24,33
Humble people say, “What can I do for you?”
Yet another component of humility is the desire to serve others instead of demanding to be served. Jesus is our supreme example. He served to the point of dying for us. If anyone deserved to be served, surely it was the Lord Jesus. Yet he showed us how to serve.
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:28
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. . .
he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” Philippians 2:7-8
Humble people say, “It takes all of us.”
Another component of humility is that we recognize the importance of others. We are all necessary parts of the whole. I have certain gifts and jobs to do as does every other person in the body of believers. All are important. We need each other.
“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. . . Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!” Romans 12:3-5,16
“But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” Romans 12:18-21
Humble people say, “I need help.”
Maybe the most basic component of humility is admitting we need help. Recognizing that we don’t know it all or have it all puts us in a position to receive. As long as we feel we don’t need help, we won’t get it. We have to humble ourselves to ask in order to receive.
“For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:10
Humble people say, “Thank you.”
It takes humility to admit that God or others give us things we need. That infers that we lacked something which cuts into our pride.
“. . . always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20
Humble people say, “Please forgive me. I did wrong.”
Humility allows us to throw ourselves on God’s grace and trust that we are accepted on the merit of Christ alone. When we presume that our good deeds earn us God’s favor, we are acting in pride. Can we do anything with perfect motives and perfect completion on our own?! We are also prideful when we presume that our wrong doing dooms us to being beyond the scope of God’s forgiveness. Do we think Jesus’ death isn’t enough?!!
‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ Luke 24:47
Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:13-14
Owning our wrongdoing and asking forgiveness restores relationships with others.
“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” Matthew 5:23-24
“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.” Matthew 18:15
Although humility can be a nebulous ideal, these statements show us what humility looks like:
Humble people think about the well-being of others.
Humble people say, “What can I do for you?”
Humble people say, “It takes all of us.”
Humble people say, “I need help.”
Humble people say, “Thank you.”
Humble people say, “Please forgive me. I did wrong.”