Interesting Questions-121
On humility
Letter to the Editor:
PASUGO, April 1998, p.2
WHEN I WAS still young, my grandmother would time
and again emphasize to me the value of humility. She would always
remind me never to be proud but to have a modest estimate of myself
and to have a "low profile'' to show humility. I earnestly believe
in and live by what my grandmother taught me. But I would like
to know how the Bible defines humility. Also, when does
God consider a person humble or proud?
Emilia R. Sta. Cruz
Agusan del Norte, Philippines
Editor's reply:
Humility is indeed a virtue. But its expression
is not merely the “modest estimate of oneself” or having a “low
profile.” The Bible teaches that a humble person is one who keeps
God’s commandments and fears Him (cf. Dt. 8:6; Mic. 6:8). Thus,
humility is best demonstrated through one’s obedience to God.
6 “Therefore you shall keep the
commandments of the
Lord
your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.
(Dt. 8:6, New King James Version)
He has shown you, O man, what is
good;
And what does the
Lord
require of you
But to do justly, To love mercy,
And to walk humbly
with your God?
(Mic. 6:8, NKJV)
The best example of humility is the Lord
Jesus Christ Himself who obeyed God’s will until His death on the
cross and allowed the will of His Father to reign over His own (cf.
Philip. 2:5, 8; Mt. 26:39).
5 Let this mind be
in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
8 And
being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became
obedient to the point of
death, even the death of the cross.
(cf. Philip. 2:5, 8, NKJV)
39 He went a little
farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying,
“O My Father, if it is
possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will,
but as You will.”
(Mt.
26:39, NKJV)
Therefore, a man exhibits the virtue of
humility by submitting his will to that of the Almighty
Consequently, those who humble themselves before God will be lifted
up and will benefit from His goodness (cf. Js. 4:10, 7).
10 Humble
yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the
devil and he will flee from you.
(James 4:10, 7, NKJV)
A proud person, on the contrary, is one
who disobeys God and lives not according to His laws and
commandments (cf. Ps. 119:21). God is not pleased with this kind of
people but gives grace to the humble (cf. Js. 4:6).
You rebuke the
proud—the cursed,
Who stray from
Your commandments.
(Ps. 119:21, NKJV)
6 But He gives more
grace. Therefore He says:
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble."
(James 4:6, NKJV).
___________________
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