Humility is one of those topics that is hard to study, discuss, and implement. What is difficult about studying humility? A quick word search will show that humility/humble is mentioned around 80 times in the Bible. Do you want to discuss humility? Think about examples of people who are prideful and talk about how they could use some more humility. How do we live more humbly? Try to avoid using your skills or talents and do not speak up. Do you think this is a good way to study, discuss, and implement humility? If so, I humbly suggest you go back and try again.
There is more to humility than reading a few verses about it, finding some negative examples of it, and incorrectly applying it in our lives. When “studying” humility, we either discuss its anthesis, pride, or we give the perfect example of it—Jesus. The issue with this tactic is that it leaves things incomplete. For example, we often find issues in other people’s lives and fail to see them within ourselves (Luke 18:9–14). Furthermore, we may see Jesus’ example as unattainable and stop short of his expectations (Phil. 2:8; John 13:15).expectat
What is a better way to address the topic of humility? First, we need to realize that humility is something we must possess “inside and out” (Phil. 2:3; Col. 3:12; 1 Pet. 5:5). Second, without humility we cannot approach God correctly (Jam. 4:6, 10; Luke 14:11). Third, humility allows us to grow together as the body of Christ (Rom. 12:16; Eph. 4:1–3). If we desire to be humble, we need to count the cost.
There is no aspect of our lives that can go untouched when we decide to take on God’s expectations for humility. This should not be seen as a drudgery, but rather a joy, because with humility comes a compassionate hand who can lift us up (1 Peter 5:6–7).
Billy Camp
Dalraida church of Christ is a congregation of Christians that meet in the mid-town area of Montgomery, Alabama. Our goal and purpose is to seek and follow God and His Word in everything that we do in life.