Restoration Road Ministry.org

Possessing humility is not natural to our flesh nor is it easily obtained. It requires letting go of our natural tendency towards pride so that humility may enter, as both oppose one another and cannot coexist within us.

There are two important positive outcomes that result from a humble heart and mindset. First, we allow ourselves to be weakened instead of overconfident in our own strength. Second, we receive help as a consequence of accepting our weaknesses, when we might not otherwise be receptive to receive it through our strength.

On the flip side, there are negative consequences that occur because of our lack of humility that affect both our fleshly relationships in this earthly realm as well as our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ in heaven. These consequences produce a domino effect on the spiritual fruits we will exhibit as a result of maintaining pride over humility. When we remain proud, then the spiritual fruits of gentleness, meekness, forgiveness, patience, and longsuffering will be pushed aside as we view the world through a fleshly lens that remains focused on self. However, if we push pride away and allow humility to enter, then we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, and along with it, the spiritual fruits we are to possess are given opportunity to enter in as well. Therefore, we must loosen our grip on pride and chase after humility with every step we take, if we are to experience what God desires in our lives.

Scripture says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2, ESV, 2001, Crossway).

“One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor” (Proverbs 29:23).

These spiritual warnings provide us insight in this discussion, and give us direction that we are to follow as we honor God through our obedience. This ensures that we let go of pride, which brings us disgrace, so that we obtain wisdom, through the character trait of humility we are to put on.

The prophet Zephaniah says, “Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD” (Zephaniah 2:3).

Here we see God warning his children once again to lower themselves through humility and seek righteousness, which are both pleasing to him. We must recognize who we are in this spiritual relationship and arrangement. We are his creation and therefore subordinate to him and what he calls us to be and do. Therefore, we must be cautious in our attitudes and behaviors that would contradict the spiritual nature we are instructed to possess.

The Apostle Paul writes to the Ephesians, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility, and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3).

He then says to the Philippians, “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, and affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:1-8).

And to the Colossians he writes, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:12-17).

As we listen to the Apostle Paul, he is pleading with those who are called into a relationship with Christ Jesus, to walk in a manner worthy of our calling because we are now captive to the life of Christ. Through bearing the spiritual fruits of humility, gentleness, patience, love and forgiveness, we contribute to the unity within the body of Christ and therefore peace to all.

As we put on these spiritual traits, we can then perceive the needs of those around us by providing love, affection, and sympathy through our unselfish focus, emptying ourselves of pride and becoming a servant to others instead. And through our new-found peace in the Lord, by exercising obedience to his commandments, we are to be thankful, teaching one another, and praising him through spiritual songs, words, and deeds.

Through this discussion, we can see the heart of God being expressed through his words found in scripture, which provide warning for the proud and blessing for the humble. By observing the negative consequences for the proud, we should find clarity on God’s instruction to us as his children along with encouragement that points our feet moving in the steps of Jesus Christ as our Shepherd.

In Christ.