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Humility
Christian humility is the most prized quality of character that a child of God may achieve during his/her temporal life. But speaking from a personal point-of-view, I believe it is also the most difficult one to reach. Without question, God's Word is replete with passages extolling the importance of humility. Yet, in my personal life, since placing my faith (trust) in Jesus Christ and His work (sacrifice) on Calvary's Cross for my personal eternal salvation, achieving Biblical humility has been one of, if not the most significant struggle I have faced in my path toward Christian maturity.
There is a reason that 'pride' is listed as the first of the seven great sins recorded in Proverbs 6:16-19. Indeed, 'pride' is the foundational depravity, giving birth to a vast store of degenerate morality, which follows. It is 'pride' that requires a person to look within instead of above for Biblical fulfillment in both this life and the life to come. Attired in distrust (unbelief), it is 'pride' that requires man to turn from his Creator and foolishly believe he is the master of all. In the very beginning, Eve, exhibiting a state of 'pride' in thinking she knew more and better than God, partook of the fruit of the 'tree of the knowledge of good and evil' in direct contradiction to God's command, which led to her influence over Adam to follow suit. The result was the spiritual 'fall of mankind.'
Pride plays no favorites. It affects both those without Christ (the 'lost') and those in Christ (the 'saved'). It is the primary stumbling block toward Christian maturity. While it is expected in the 'lost' (non-Christians), it is most obnoxious in those who are 'saved' (Christians). Indeed, Christ illustrated its influence, resulting in egregious hypocrisy in those who involve themselves in various religious activities (charitable deeds, prayer and fasting [Matthew 6:1-18]).
The following is a partial list of informative passages of Scripture pertaining to the subject of humility and its direct opposite, pride. Please read and allow God's Spirit to instruct and convince you regarding both.
Psalm 138:6 Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.
Proverbs 3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.
Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.
Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility. (Proverbs 16:18)
Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 3:34)
Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.
Isaiah 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.'
Matthew 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 23:12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Luke 1:52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.
Luke 14:11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Luke 18:9-14 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: (10) 'Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. (11) The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men – extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. (12) I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' (13) And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!' (14) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.'
Acts 12:21-23 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. (22) And the people kept shouting, 'The voice of a god and not of a man!' (23) Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. (John 15:5; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Philippians 2:13)
Ephesians 4:1, 2 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, (2) with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, (7) but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (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. (1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6)
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.
2 Timothy 2:24, 25 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, (25) in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.
Titus 3:1, 2 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, (2) to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
James 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
1 Peter 5:5, 6 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' (6) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
Conclusion
As Christians, we need to forsake pride and embody genuine humility throughout our temporal lives. To do so will be to establish significant building blocks in our quest for spiritual maturity, the salvation of our souls (i.e., a continuous aspect of salvation, which is totally different from the salvation of our spirits and which only pertains to Christ's coming Millennial Kingdom, not eternal life [for clarity on both please access http://bibleone.net/SOS.htm]).
To be successful in this endeavor, I can only suggest that you study the following three passages of Scripture. In brief, always examine your life in light of God's Word, identifying and routinely confessing all sin. Then, come to an understanding that the Christian life, a life of righteousness, may only be achieved by Jesus Christ, both in its inception and in its continuation. You need to understand that just as you placed your faith/trust solely in Christ for your spiritual birth, you need to daily place your faith/trust in Him to live out a successful spiritual life by means of His Holy Spirit that dwells within you.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Colossians 2:6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord (by faith), so walk (by faith) in Him.
Proverbs 3:5, 6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Stay in the Word, the spiritual food that alone provides sustenance for spiritual growth. For more detail on this, click on http://bibleone.net/Essentials-for-a-Biblical-Christian-Life.htm.
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