8 Scriptural Ways to Pursue Humility
Hey humility, come out, come out wherever you are!
Last month, I shared 7 Biblical Promises for Walking in Humility. Then my blogger friend, Mandy Farmer, invited me to write a guest post on how Christians pursue humility as a spiritual discipline.
Since we already discussed the biblical promises we receive for walking in humility, let’s discuss how we actually pursue it.
Because humility seems missing from our present culture. But this lack isn’t anything new.
People, even God’s people, have always had a bent toward self-centeredness and boasting.
And learning to pursue humility is a needed spiritual discipline for a Christ-follower.
So here are 3 of the 8 ways to pursue H-U-M-I-L-I-T-Y.
H – Honor God.
Pursuing humility starts with honoring God by letting Him be God and do His job—not taking over.
But we have a choice to let Him act as CEO of our plans and purpose. We ask ourselves: God is CEO, am I in His seat? If I am, it means I’ve exchanged honoring God for honoring myself.
Because when we take the reins, God doesn’t reign as Lord.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10, ESV)
Pursuing humility starts with honoring God by letting Him be God and do His job—not taking over. #humility #humble #Pursuit Share on XU – Understand humanity.
Once we realize who God is, we come to terms with our own flesh. Created in God’s image, He wired us for humility, but we learn life’s about me.
Our flesh and spirit war against each other. And make no mistake, our flesh and the enemy of our soul wars against humility in our life. But our spirit desires humility.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12, NIV, emphasis added)
M – Model Jesus.
Although Jesus was fully human and divine, He lived and ministered as a humble man who put the interests of others first. He never turned anyone away, not even those considered “unclean” or social outcasts.
The Final 5 Ways to Pursue Humility
Read the rest of how to “model Jesus” and the entire article on how followers of Christ pursue humility with the final 5 ways of “I-L-I-T-Y”over at Mandy & Michele’s site.
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Legacy Linkup/Inspire Me Monday/Literacy Musings/Tell His Story/Purposeful Faith/Recharge Wednesday/Worth Beyond Rubies/Tune in Thursday/Heart Encouragement/Embracing the Unexpected and Faith On Fire.
© 2020 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
Among the many characteristics of Christ I hope to attain, humility is chief among them. In it, I find myself better able to surrender to His leading in my life. Recognizing that the only thing I have control over is myself is a large part of that learning. Thank you for these wise words my friend.
Appreciate your insight, J.D. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 encourages us to train for a godly life. Godliness always includes humility. “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” (James 3:13, NIV)
Amen. Yes, let’s pursue humility. I pray I humble myself each day. I pray I always put God first.
Putting God first is the best first step on the road called “Humility’s Way.” Thanks, Melissa.
Such wise words, Karen. I find that I vacillate between pride and low self-worth at times. Humility before the Lord is the answer to this. When our focus is no longer on ourselves, but on Christ, humility is the natural byproduct.
Blessings, sweet friend!
Thanks, Beckie. I like thinking of humility as a natural byproduct of laying down pride when we look up to Christ instead of inward at ourselves. We identify areas of outward or inward boasting of “me,” and increase our boasting of God.
Humility is such a difficult thing. I read the book, Humility, by Andrew Murray last year. Your points remind me of some of what Andrew Murray wrote about. And one thing he said is that humility isn’t something we can manufacture. It has to be Jesus who grows it within us. Which, of course, means our hearts need to be yielded to Him. I am continually thinking on this and trying to stay yielded to Jesus.
Beautiful post, Karen.
Jeanne, I remember you referencing this book before. I should get a copy. And I agree, those deep and strong attributes Scripture encourages us to pursue and put on and walk in, like humility…none are manufactured. “Lord, help us surrender and yield to You, as we grow to resemble You more and more. Amen.”
This is a good list of necessary growth in humility. I bounced over to finish the acronym on Mandy and Michele’s site. The more we grow in humility, the more we’re able to see our need for the Lord and the more grace we’re able to give to others, for everyone else is just as broken as we are. Humility prevents us from judging others as they also strive to grow and to know the Lord better. Were all believers to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, imagine how that would bless the world! Think how much the church would expand and flourish if we were all to grow in humility!
Hey Melinda, thanks for reading and your comment. Like how you said “for everyone else is just as broken as we are.” That realization should bring us to a humble place. And this would certainly bless others and the world, as seen in the flourishing of the church! Good insight!
I appreciated your post Karen. There were many insightful points about how to find humility. Like anything we want to become good at or achieve, it takes practice and repetition. Remembering God is in charge and we are not. Humbly confessing our sins reminds us that we are not perfect, we need the Spirits help, and God shows us abundant grace. And as we learn greater humility and experience God’s grace and forgiveness, we are more able to give grace to others rather than criticize and judge.
Humility does take practice and repetition, Anne. And I like how you mentioned confessing our sins takes humility. We often forget it’s our pride that never wants to take ownership of sin.
Excellent article, to walk humbly with God, depending on Him is a prayer for the everyday – thank you for your reflections.
“A prayer for the everyday.” So good, Sharon! Thanks for sharing!
You offer us wisdom for our walk to remain humble. I loved how you used the word itself to explain. It will help me to remember. Thanks
Thank you, Yvonne. I pray we remember “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” (1 Corinthians 13:4, NIV)
I love your acronym Karen, we so need more of humility that Christ lived and showed us!
Thanks, Ava. I pray we are people of H-U-M-L-I-T-Y to the world.
Karen, this is a powerful teaching and I don’t think I can ever hear enough! Pride is always calling to us, ever so sweetly. And we truly need discipline to detect it and pull it out by the roots. One things I can say, is that hardships in my life, though never welcome, can often be a gift of helping me maintain a humble heart. Thank you for your faith and faithfulness!
Melissa, I agree that hardships often grow humility in us. This is seen in people in the Bible over and over. I think of Joseph, Job, and the Apostle Paul. And I know it’s true in my like, the Lord uses those difficult times to humble my heart.
Amen Sister in Jesus-Yeshua Christ-Messiah Karen!!
Our ONE True GOD’S LOVE 💕💜 is ETERNAL THROUGH HIS SON Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua for Today and Everyday Forevermore!!
I Love you all Everyone through Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua, because HE LOVED 💜💕 EVERYONE FIRST!!
Love 💕 Always and Shalom ( Peace ), YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
Thank you, Kristi Ann. You’re always so upligfting and encouraging in the name of Jesus.
Yes! Humility is something I’ve come to value in a huge way. Not only is it something modeled by my very favorite people, but it’s an attribute highly undervalued today. Thank you for this, Karen!
Jessica, I like how you note humiliy is “highly undervalued today.” May God’s people value it as a Christian attribute worth pursuing.
Amen Sister you hit it on the head. Humility is so important as Christians. One way is when helping people who are less fortunate. I remember the days of helping people at the food pantry and they felt ashamed and embarrassed and we would love on them and give them self worth in the way we treated them and made them feel loved. Getting down on their level and not thinking of ourselves as better in any way… Thanks for this post-God Bless.
Stephen, such a great example of humility and being Jesus with skin to others. Christ always made the social outcasts and those who feel unworthy, feel loved and unashamed.
Humility is sometimes a lost virtue today. Thanks for providing this great insight, Karen. God bless!
It does seem lost, Nancy. But pray God’s people will lead the way in showing humility to those we influence.