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James 4:10 (NIV)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Being humble is the believer’s response to God. Despite the world’s influence to be more and do more so that we get the praise of others, it is possible to be content simply walking humbly before God. Here are just two ways to do so.
First, start with a proper understanding from Scripture about who God is. Consider the following:
- Nehemiah 9:6 (NIV) states: You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.
- Psalm 97:9 (NIV) states: For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
- Romans 11:33 (NKJV) states: Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
Once we have a proper understanding of who God is, we are able to more clearly see our shortcomings, our frailties, and our insignificance. We then see the need to live humbly before God. Where we depend daily on God, and we are content doing so.
David paints a perfect picture of this idea of dependence and contentment in Psalm 131:1-2 which states: My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content (NIV).
Beyond having a proper understanding of who God is, another way to sustain a humble posture before God is to accept that we do not have what it takes to carry out God’s Will without God’s involvement. In 2 Corinthians 3:5 (NIV) we are told: Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. We may be able to do some things out of human effort, but human effort can only take us so far.
We need God.
We need God’s presence. We need God’s wisdom. We need God’s knowledge. We need God’s guidance. And so on.
When we are living humbly before God, we are content living the life God wants us to live and going the way God wants us to go. We dare not trust in ourselves because we know that, outside of God, there is really no good in us. In Romans 7:18 the Apostle Paul said: For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out (ESV).
It is always a good time to reflect to see if we are living humbly before God. If there is even a hint – no matter how small – that we are not living humbly before God, pride may have crept in. Proverbs 11:2 states: When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Do not ignore even a hint of pride. Repent of it and in faith receive God’s forgiveness.
Proverbs 22:4 (AMPC) states: The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
Except where indicated, scripture references are from the American Standard Version (ASV), Darby Translation (DARBY), or King James Version (KJV) – all public domains.
