Humble Yourself
Humility is a quality that God promotes. Of all the Christian virtues, humility seems to be the most important. Both James and Peter wrote these same words: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4.6 and I Peter 5.5) This must have been a common theme taught by the apostles in the early Church. To some, humility means self-debasement. To others it is equated with poverty. And still others see humility as a low position of servanthood. The expression: “humble beginnings”, refers to someone who started life with nothing. St Francis of Assisi, elevated poverty to a grace in his quest after humility; that to be a follower of Christ meant to give away all one’s wealth and vow to live a life of poverty. But is this really how one humbles himself?
St Francis was born into a wealthy, merchant family. He lived a care-free childhood and in debauchery as a youth. Upon having an encounter with Jesus, Francis repented of his sinful lifestyle and gave away his riches to follow the Lord. He was challenged by Jesus’ words to the rich, young man who wanted to be His disciple. He did not want error as did this young man by not being able to give away all he had. Jesus was the great treasure of his life and any sacrifice was not too great for him. Due to his dramatic conversion, Francis saw riches as a source of pride, and poverty as a path to humility. But it is not the lack of riches that determine your humility, but rather the lack of control that your riches have over you. Pride is the opposite of humility and is manifest in the trusting in your riches and abilities, rather than in God.
Christ showed humility by coming down from Heaven in the form of man. The Scriptures say that, “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil. 2.8) He became poor that we might become rich, He gave all so we could receive eternal life and He was cursed so we can receive the blessings of Abraham. The example of humility in Jesus is that He renounced His own will to embrace the will of the Father. (Luke 22.42) To humble yourself is to let go of the control of your life. It is when you recognize that you are not the source; the originator of your own existence. God is the source of every good thing, gift, talent, etc. There is no place for boasting in one’s achievements, only thankfulness for God’s grace and help. C.S. Lewis said: “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”
Pride is sin and is found in every human heart. It causes difficulties and conflicts among people and nations. Proud people cannot work or live together without conflict. The Proverbs warn that, “pride goes before a destruction”. (Proverbs 16.18) Pride is a roadblock in our relationship with God; whereas humility opens wide the door of grace. Humility is imitating the Lord. Even though He knew that He was the Son of God, Jesus did not grasp after equality with God. He saw Himself as completely dependent on the Father.
Here are some ways in which you can humble yourself. 1) Confess regularly your sins to God and to others. 2) Show no partiality. Associate with the lowly. 3) Speak well of others. 4) Develop a grateful heart. 5) Choose to serve others. 6) Submit to authority. 7) Serve others as you would the Lord. And, 8) Forgive others. Let’s make this a daily discipline. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of god so that at the proper time He may exalt you.” (I Peter 5.6)
Scriptures to meditate on:
James 4.6, 10; I Peter 5.5-6; Phil. 2.6-8; II Cor. 8.9; Micah 6.8; II Cron. 7.14; Mat. 23.10-12