Humility-A Biblical Study and Proposed Action of Humility........Part 3 of 7
Part 3 Phase 1 continued: Process and Action of Humility, Examples of Humility, Results of humility
This posting will cover the following topics in phase I of humility:
● Process and Action of Humility
● Examples of Humility
● Results of Humility
In studying this paper on Humility - take time to look up all the scripture. God's word brings life and humility leads us to God's word.
If you want to go to the beginning of this study, click here.
Process and
Action of Humility
(Look at Webster for definition
of process and obedience.)
Humility-You find actions of
love and forgiveness
Neil Anderson[1]
in defining of humility, describes humility as a process and action. Putting no
confidence in the flesh, that is in ourselves, but rather being strong in the
Lord and the strength of His might. Ephesians
6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his
might.
Philippians 2:3 ..but in humility.. (RSV)
I Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty
hand of God
The following is a challenge
thought for pastors and leaders:
● What would happen if at
the start of church board meetings, the board sought the Lord for where
offenses are, then obeyed the Lord and sought forgiveness and reconciliation?
Let's think about the above question. If we, in faith, forgive because of God’s
love to us, could we not expect God to impart His love to us? I believe that love of God will grow in us
because of heart obedience. Love is a
result of process and action in obedience to the Word.
Andrew Murray-God is dealing with men in two stages:
1. Preparation
Psalms 10:17 Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the
humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
2. Command and promise – clearly stated in God’s
Word. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward
you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an
expected end.
Listed below are many of the actions of
humility. Many are contrary to our
natural nature and to do them requires humbling ourselves before the Lord. We cannot do anything without God's
help. John 15:5 ..He
that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for
without me ye can do nothing. As we look at these actions of humility, it
is important to understand that those actions that reflect the heart are
evidence of genuine humbling before God.
Humbling ourselves is an action:
● It involves breaking ties with past
sin involvement: II Chronicles 7:14 and
turn from their wicked ways.
● It involves confession: Luke 5:8 When
Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I
am a sinful man, O Lord.
● It involves presenting ourselves to
God: Romans 12:1. I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
service.
● It requires submission as a part of
the process and action: For example, the needing each other also keeps us
humble. Acts of submission are part of the nature of humility. I Peter
2:13 Submit
yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the
king, as supreme. James 4:7 Submit
yourselves therefore to God. Ephesians 5:21
Submitting yourselves one to
another in the fear of God. Roman
10:3 submitted themselves unto the
righteousness of God. I Peter
5:5-6 ..submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to
another. I Peter 3: 5. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted
in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands. The
action of humbling involves submission and obedience: I Peter 2:13
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether
it be to the king, as supreme. Jeremiah
26:13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of
the Lord your God.
● The process of humility also involves the
action of dying to self:
I Corinthians 15:31 I die
daily.
● Humility is an action of learning of
the Lord: Matthew 11:29 learn
of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.
● The action of humbling involves putting God
first, honoring our parents, and loving our neighbors: Exodus 10:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me, Leviticus 19:18. Thou
shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but
thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord. Matthew 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
In the process and action of humility, we find that
God does some things for us.
● God will search our hearts: the act of
humility involves letting God search and expose what you are in your
heart. Jeremiah 17:10 I the
Lord search the heart, I try the reins. Psalms
139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. Psalms 44:21 Shall
not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
● God prepares our hearts: Psalms 10:17 Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the
humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear.
● God gives grace:
James 4:6,10 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he
saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble..Humble
yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
● God
will exalt: I Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves
therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.
What
the process of humility does:
It has been said that without humility, one will be
blinded to the truth and may become deaf.
If one's heart is not ready, then one may
indeed be blinded and deaf. The process
of humility is to enable one’s heart to hear and one’s eyes to see the truths
of God. Being clothed with humility may
remove veils from your eyes and let you hear and see truths of God’s Word.
God gives grace to the humble. James 4:6
God resisteth the proud, but
giveth grace unto the humble. I Peter
5:5 for
God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Humility brings the result of love.
Actions of love are a part of the action of
humility, as well as being a result of true humility. Isaiah 58:3-14 Wherefore
have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our
soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find
pleasure, and exact all your labours.
Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of
wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard
on high. Is it such a fast that I have
chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a
bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a
fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of
wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and
that ye break every yoke? Is it not to
deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to
thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not
thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall
thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth
speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord
shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou
call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.
If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the
finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou
draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy
light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the Lord shall guide thee continually,
and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like
a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build
the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations;
and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to
dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot
from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath
a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing
thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon
the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy
father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with
brotherly love; in honour preferring one another
Galatians 5:13 but
by love serve one another.
Ephesians 4:1-2.
I , therefore, the prisoner of the
Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in
love;
The action of humility should move us to
forgiveness. The root of sin must be removed
to prevent bitterness. Hebrews
12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root
of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. Matthew 6:12-15 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our
debtors. And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye
forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Luke 11:4 And
forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And
lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Ephesians 4:32 And be
ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for
Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a
quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. II Corinthians
2:7 So
that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps
such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Humility involves releasing any wrongs
which is a part of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is essential or you will stumble. Remember Christ side that if we do not
forgive, neither will God forgive you. Matthew 6:15!
God must search our hearts. Psalms 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me,
and know my thoughts, Jeremiah 17:10 I
the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to
his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings, Psalms 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he
knoweth the secrets of the heart
Humility is commanded and required by God. It is not optional.
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?
James 4:10 Humble
yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
I Peter 5:5-6
be clothed with humility..Humble
yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God.
Ephesians 4:3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace. I
Thessalonians 5:13 and be
a peace among yourselves.
Conclusion
The
action of humbling involves knowing that we can do all things through
Christ.
Philippians
4:13 I
can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Eph 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the
power of his might.
Examples of Humility
Examples of Humility
Christ is the expression of the humility of God
embodied in human nature—The external love of God humbled Himself, Philippians
2:8 And
being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross.
John 5: 19. Then answered Jesus and said unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself.
John 6:38
For I came down from heaven, not to do
mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
John 7:16
Christ had to listen to God Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is
not mine, but his that sent me.
John 8:28
I do nothing of myself
John 8:42
neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
John 8:50
And I seek not mine own glory.
John 14:10
the words that I speak unto you I speak
not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
John 14:24 the word which ye hear is not mine, but the
Father's which sent me.
Matthew 20:27-28 And
whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of
man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister. Luke 22:26-27
but he that is greatest among you,
let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
Matthew 5:3 & 5 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven...Blessed are the meek
Luke 9:46-48 Then there arose a reasoning among them,
which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their
heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them, Whosoever shall
receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me
receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall
be great., Matthew 18: 3-4 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye
be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the
kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore
shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom
of heaven.
Philippians
2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was
also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to
be equal with God: But made himself of
no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and
became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Results of Humility
Results of Humility
The results of humility come when genuine humbling
before God has taken place.
Jonathan Edward[2]
- nothing sets a person so much out of the devil’s reach as humility
Murray[5] - the humble cannot be
embarrassed-embarrassment is the movement in pride. It is a warning that you have departed from
wisdom and allowing self to reign.
Some
results of humility:
● Produces
love-no love without humility Galatians
5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
temperance: against such there is no law.
I Corinthians 13:4-5 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity
envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave
itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
● We
are revived Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith
the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in
the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite
ones.
● Will
be the greatest Matthew 23:11
But he that is greatest among you shall
be your servant.
● Will
be exalted and lifted up or encouraged Luke 14:11 For
whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall
be exalted., Luke 18:14 for every one
that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be
exalted.,
● Grace:
Not given for selfish
use I Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good
stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Promised to the humble I
Peter 5:5 & James 4:6 for God
resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.,
● Humility and obedience always lead to Christ’s help II 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.
● The humble will be upheld by
honor Proverbs 29:23 but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit
·
Peace
● Romans 8:6 but to be spiritually minded is life and
peace.
● Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22 But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
● Strength and Peace Psalms 29:11 The
Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with
peace Isaiah 26:3 Thou
wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth
in Thee.
● Peace: Peace given
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My
peace I give unto you...
Peace in our hearts Colossians 3:15 let the
peace of God rule in your hearts…
Peace guards our heart Philippians 4:7 And the
peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Peace
leads Luke 1:79 To give
light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our
feet into the way of peace. Is 26:3 Thou
wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he
trusteth in thee.—
● Humility prevents deception.
God hears the desire of the humble and causes the
ear to hear; We will have answered prayer; God also prepares our heart. Ps 10:17 Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the
humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear.
[2] Edwards,
Jonathan, Some Thoughts Concerning the Present Revival of Religion in New
England (1742), Part IV, Section I, the first paragraph
[3]
Anderson, Bondage Breaker.
[5] Ibid.
The next posting will cover:
False Humility,
Hindrances,
provide scriptures for additional study.
To go to the next part, part 4, click here.
