Humility-A Biblical Study and Proposed Action of Humility........Part 5 of 7

Part 3 Phase 1 continued: Process and Action of Humility, Examples of Humility, Results of humility

This posting covers: Phase II of Humility. The previous posts provided basic instruction and background leading to this Phase of Humility, which can be considered an action phase. I invite you to search out the resources listed, and move ahead taking the needed time for restoring your fellowship with God where needed. All of us have areas that we need to give to the Lord that have hindered us. The resources listed help in identifying some of these areas. May God bless you as you move forward.

If you want to go to the beginning of this study, click here.

Phase II

The Bible says to humble ourselves.  That is something we can choose to do.  When we do so we open the door to fellowship with God.  Do you want to move forward in humility?  If you do, here are two prayers  to consider and pray if it expresses the desire of your heart. 

Father,

I want the fire of your love to grow within my heart.  May it burn the dross in my heart and bring forth a vessel of love, pure, for your use.  May it bless others.

Then Pray:

In Jesus Name.

Father,

Reveal what is in my heart that needs healing.

In Jesus’ Name.

Phase II involves waiting on the Lord, and it is strongly encouraged that one should complete the 'Breaking Free to Your Destiny' course which includes completing the 7 Steps to Spiritual Freedom work book written by Neil Anderson, or the '7 Steps to Spiritual Freedom' only, or a similar course like the one John Shuey of Kingdom Quest Ministries, Camp Hill, PA has developed. It is called 'Breaking Free'. Another source to consider is Dr Kenneth Quick's book, "Healing the Heart of Your Church". It sets forth a process that is also similar in many aspects to the previous ones mentioned, but is more directed to the church as a body. Please keep in mind that these courses are more than an exercise. One will get out of it what he puts into it.

Phase II also involves confession and accepting God's forgiveness.  It puts the challenge to look at the roots of past problems and to take steps to cut those roots off through repentance.  These roots may go deep in one's family, and there may be a need for generational repentance.  Repentance from the heart opens the door to the Holy Spirit's working once again in an individual.  Also, unconfessed sin can choke off our first love for Christ.  That unconfessed sin may be known sin. There also may be a need to discover sin that is present but not recognized because of lack of understanding, or that may be covered by justifying our actions rather than fully obeying the Bible.  Whatever the case, if we really want to return to our first love, then we need to humble ourselves in repentance from sin.  In breaking free, there is other material that may be helpful in expanding various issues covered in the above breaking free courses.  Another excellent example of such a resource is Dr. Bree Keyton's book: 'The Quadrilogy of Jesus Suffering, Stripes, Nails, Thorns, and the Blood that Flowed for Us' published by Black Forest Press, San Diego, California, Sept 2002.  An additional resource to consider is material developed by Kingdom Quest Ministries, titled ‘Breaking Free’.  Their websight is www.kquestministries.org.

Phase II also involves developing an understanding of our position in Christ. God’s Word says a lot about our relationship with Christ for the purpose of encouraging us.  As we work through this phase, we will be building up our relationship with the Lord.  As we receive the encouragement of our position in Christ, a good prayer to pray is to help these truths be placed in our hearts is:

Father,

As I learn of my position with you in my relationship with your son, Jesus, I ask that these truths be burned into the tables of my heart. 

In Jesus’ name.

Moving forward in Phase II, healing of the heart can begin as we seek the Lord, learn His word, and confess sin.  As you seek to live for the Lord, you will find additional issues may come to mind that need to be addressed. That issue could be likened to one of several or many layers that need healing. When this occurs, repeat the steps in the cleansing part of Phase II.  It is a sign of growth and that the Lord wants you to grow deeper in your walk with Him. If a problem comes up that is particularly troublesome, it may be helpful to enlist the aid of a Godly counselor, like your pastor or a person he recommends.

In Phase II, emphasis will be also put on learning to wait on the Lord  The process of humbling and action of humility requires waiting on the Lord.  When we do wait on the Lord, we will see results.  During the waiting time we need to be diligent to seek the Lord Isaiah 55:2 hearken diligently unto me, Jeremiah 29:13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart, and let Him search our hearts Psalms 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart.  God will show us things that have hindered us and sin that has blocked our full relationship with Him.  As He shows us these things, we need to ask forgiveness and turn away from such.  We will then experience the blessings that are promised to those who wait on the Lord.

●          'Wait on the Lord' Psalms 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

●          'Quietly'  Lamentations 3: 26  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

●          'Will save' Proverbs 20:22 but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.

●          'Renew strength' Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (note:  waiting on the :Lord will take us to new levels of relationship with our Lord)

●          'Blessed 'Is 30:18   blessed are all they that wait for him.

●          'The Lord is good to those that wait for Him.' Lam 3:25  The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him

●          'Continually' Hos 12:6 wait on thy God continually

●          'Commanded' Zeph 3:8   Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord

●          'Patiently'  Ps 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

*Note:  During Phase II, here is a helpful recommendation, participation in a ‘Freedom in Christ Seminar’,  or something similar might be beneficial.

*Note:  Another action during Phase II that may be needed is going to someone else where there has been an issue or an offense.  Listed below are two verses that tell us to go to the other person.  Part of waiting on the Lord is listening and that listening can help us learn whom we may need to go to.

‘Go’ Matthew 18:15 “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”

The action in Matthew 18: 15 is best received when done in a spirit of humility—not accusation.  An example—telling the other person I receive what happened in this manner, rather than saying you did this in an accusational manner.

Also the principle of ‘go’ is seen in Matthew 5:23 & 24: “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”

So often we expect the other person to come to us, which is desirable.  However the scripture is clear that when we learn of an issue we are to ‘go’ to that person and clear the offense.  It should be done in a spirit of humility, and willing to listen to the other person.  Maybe there was something we did not know or understand.  The Lord can help us go in a spirit of humility.

To go to the next part (part 6) of this study, click here.