South End Church of Christ :: Article: Humility

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	Humility Aaron Erhardt Two Soviet ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast of Russia in 1986, resulting in mass casualties. An investigation revealed that the crash was not caused by mechanical failure or weather conditions. It was the result of pride. Both captains knew of the other ship’s presence and could have easily steered clear, but neither would yield. A lack of humility cost hundreds of people their lives. Humility is the foundational characteristic of a Christian. It is an indispensable quality from which all virtue springs. Therefore, the New Testament puts a great deal of emphasis on humility: Matthew 18:4 -- “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 23:12 -- “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” Romans 12:16 -- “Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly” Ephesians 4:1-2 -- “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility” Philippians 2:3-4 -- “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” Colossians 3:12 -- “Put on…humility” James 4:6 -- “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” James 4:10 -- “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” 1 Peter 5:5-6 -- “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you” Humility is lowliness of mind. It refers to one who has a modest opinion of himself. This does not mean that he has a poor opinion of himself, but a proper opinion of himself. He does not “think more highly of himself than he ought to think” (Romans 12:3). Humility is the opposite of arrogance or pride. Humility puts God first, others second, and self last. This selfless disposition comes about by recognition of unworthiness. Further, there can be no real love without humility, for love “does not boast,” “is not arrogant,” and “does not insist on its own way” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). Humility was a despised characteristic in the ancient world. The Greeks and Romans viewed it as weakness. In fact, William Barclay wrote, “In Greek there is no word for humility which has not some suggestion of meanness attaching to it.” Jesus, however, challenged that view. He extolled humility as an essential characteristic for pleasing God. He even began what is perhaps the greatest sermon ever preached, the Sermon on the Mount, with a call to humility (Matthew 5:3) and made humility the focus of a well-known parable (Luke 18:10-14). The wise man Solomon had much to say about humility: Proverbs 3:34 -- “Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor” Proverbs 11:2 -- “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom” Proverbs 15:33 -- “Humility comes before honor” Proverbs 16:19 -- “It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud” Proverbs 18:12 -- “Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor” Proverbs 22:4 -- “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life” Proverbs 29:23 -- “One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor” Humility is the most elusive of all Christian characteristics. There are several reasons for this: (1) Humility is foreign to the mindset of our society. (2) Too much emphasis on humility can actually lead to pride. (3) The moment humility is claimed, it is lost. (I heard about a man who won his company’s award for humility. Then they took it away because he accepted it). Though difficult, humility can be obtained with prayer, perseverance, and a proper perspective of oneself. As Abraham declared, “I who am but dust and ashes” (Genesis 18:27).