Session 02 – Humility

IHumilityn the first recorded teaching of our Lord, the very first topic presented is humility. Throughout the Scriptures, great emphasis is placed on living today in light of the coming Kingdom. The beginning point for walking with God and conducting our lives in a manner fitting for entrance into the Kingdom is humility. God requires humility!

With what shall I come to the LORD and bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:6-8)

Humility is the recognition and belief that we are not sufficient of ourselves, but that our sufficiency is of God (2 Corinthians 3:4 and 5). Simply stated, “We cannot; He can; God help us.”

Much more than just conceding our limitations and weaknesses, it is acknowledgement of God Almighty’s abilities and strengths in our lives.  It is to surrender our ways to His ways that are so much higher than our own. The humility we read about in the Bible is a total dependency and reliance upon God and accepting our need for Him and His ways.

Matthew 18:1-4 – Babes are totally dependent upon their parents for everything. They cannot live on their own without help, likewise is our relationship with God our Father.

John 5:19, 30 – Jesus, the perfect man, could not live on his own.

Pride is the Opposite of Humility

James 4:6-10 – God resists the proud because the proud resist Him.  To humble ourselves is to empty all desire to exercise our personal will above the will of God. What He wants becomes more important than what we want.

God RESISTS The Proud

1 Peter 5:5-8 – As we clothe ourselves with humility, God will give grace.

Proverbs 16:18 and 19; 18:12; 28:25 and 26 – To receive help, one must first realize he needs help, next acknowledge God’s ability and willingness to help, and finally humbly ask for His help.

The prideful fail to do the first step.

God Hears the Humble

Psalm 10:17; 145:14-19 – When we humbly approach our God with love and respect, He hears us and fulfills our desires.

Proverbs 22:4 – The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honor and life.

1 Kings 21:25-29 – Ahab was a wicked idolater who caused much harm to many people. Yet, when he humbled himself, God responded.

2 Chronicles 33:12 and 13 – Manasseh was forgiven!

Die to Self Interest and Live for God

Philippians 2:3-9 – Selfishness and empty conceit contrast with humility of mind. The humble are obedient.

He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 10:39)

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 16:25

  • The humble acknowledge that God is almighty and praise Him.
  • The proud think everything in life revolves around himself. His thoughts and conversation is primarily centered on self.
  • The humble are thankful knowing everything good comes from God as a gift. He strongly believes he deserves nothing.
  • The proud lack genuine gratitude. He thinks he deserves what is good, that God and others owe it to him. He tends to be critical, complaining, and discontent.
  •  The humble one does not see himself as better than others.
  • The proud compares himself to others and feels that he is better than they are.
  • The humble pray a lot.
  • The proud do not have time to pray.
  • The humble prefer others over themselves. Serving others is viewed as a gracious privilege granted by a loving God.
  • The proud prefer self over others and expect to be served. When they do serve others, they do so always on their own terms. 
  • The humble are God-pleasers.
  • The proud are men-pleasers.
  • The humble realize that they do not know anything.
  • The proud think they know it all and criticize and condemn those who think or believe differently.
  • The humble know God is in control.
  • The proud want control of self and others.

 

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