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Response
The Bible discusses humility extensively. God urges everyone to be humble (Micah 6:8; Matthew 23:12; Romans 12:16; Philippians 2:3-4; 1 Peter 5:6). The prophet Zephaniah encapsulates it well: “Seek the LORD, all you humble people, you who follow His commands. Pursue righteousness, seek humility” «Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger. », (Zephaniah 2:3). Believers are specifically reminded to humble themselves before the Lord, and He will exalt them «Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. », (James 4:10). Humility is closely linked to revering the Lord and obeying His commands (Proverbs 22:4; 2 Chronicles 7:14).
James addresses the interpersonal conflicts among his audience. He explains that envy and strife do not originate from God. God provides grace «But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. », (James 4:6), and our appropriate response is to submit to Him and resist the devil (verse 7). Submitting to God leads to a transformation of our hearts and desires. We then live humbly before God and others instead of insisting on our own way and causing discord. Ultimately, the resolution lies in humbling ourselves before the Lord.
Humility is essentially a “lowliness of mind.” It is not a lack of confidence, but rather a proper understanding of our place before God and others.
Being humble means thinking less of ourselves, but not thinking of ourselves less. It involves understanding ourselves properly in light of who God is and who we are, and living accordingly. «For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. », (Romans 12:3). God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, while we are not. A humble person recognizes that everything they have is a gift from God. «O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. », (1 Chronicles 29:16). When we humble ourselves before the Lord, our hearts continually seek after God, even in times of sin. We confess our pride and faults to God, allowing Him to transform us into Christ’s likeness. In response, God gives grace to the humble but resists the proud (Psalm 147:6; Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:5; James 4:6).
Humbling oneself is necessary for salvation. Proverbs 22:4 tells us that “humility is the fear of the LORD.” Jesus reinforces this need for humility in the Beatitudes. He states that the “poor in spirit” will inherit the kingdom of heaven. « Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven. », (Matthew 5:3). To be poor in spirit is to acknowledge spiritual emptiness and the inability to please God apart from Christ’s sacrifice. Those who humble themselves and trust in Him will inherit eternal life with God. James 4:10 confirms this promise: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (NKJV)
The reward of the humble is promotion by God «Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: », (1 Peter 5:6). Eternal salvation is available to those who humble themselves in the sight of the Lord, and so is a hope-filled life on earth.
Humbling ourselves in the sight of the Lord requires a true heart attitude of meekness. The humble person avoids false humility, and is not interested in appearances. It’s one thing to put on a show of humility, but we’re not commanded to appear humble in the sight of others but to humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, who sees the truth of the heart’s condition. The humble are also wary of becoming the type of people described by scholar and clergyman Robert Burton: “They are proud in humility; proud in that they are not proud” (The Anatomy of Melancholy, 1621, pt. I, § 2). The insidious nature of pride is that it can masquerade as humility and creep into the lowliest of hearts.
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord” is not just a command that affects our relationship with God. It also affects our daily choices. In this earthly life, we “die to self” so we can live as new creations in light of God’s grace (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). Instead of living for ourselves, we now live by faith in the One who loved us and gave Himself for us «I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. », (Galatians 2:20). We seek to obey and understand His Word and will above our desires. This humility also affects our relationships with others. Philippians 2:3 reminds us to “count others more significant
Than yourselves” (ESV). Humility negates our pride, sets aside personal rivalry, excludes conceit, and looks out for the good of another. Instead of elevating ourselves in the moment, we can humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and choose what is best for someone else. In this way, we represent Christ well. The humble can let go of inconsequential matters and pursue peace and holiness instead «Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: », (Hebrews 12:14).
We can willingly humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, or we can be humbled by God Himself, a process that will be more painful in the long run—just ask Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4;cf: Proverbs 16:5;Luke 18:14). God promises the humble riches, honor, and eternal life. The prideful will receive destruction and punishment. There is no better way to live than to walk humbly with our God «He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? », (Micah 6:8). Therefore, “humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” «Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. », (James 4:10, NKJV).
