Humility

Less of self, more of Christ.

First Mention in Scripture

Original Word: עָנָו (anav)

Reference: Numbers 12:3

Meaning: Humble, lowly, meek.

Used to describe Moses as 'more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth' — not weak, but dependent and submitted to God.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself — it’s thinking of yourself less. It's recognizing who God is, who we are, and living in the reality of that gap.

In Scripture, humility is foundational to knowing God, receiving grace, and walking in truth. 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble' (James 4:6).

True humility begins when we stop comparing ourselves to others and start standing before the holiness of God. The cross is where we are most humbled — and most lifted up.

Jesus, the King of all, humbled Himself for our sake. To follow Him is to take up His posture — not seeking greatness, but giving our lives in love.

God Honors the Humble

Over and over, Scripture declares that God lifts the lowly and brings down the proud (Luke 1:52). “The fear of the Lord teaches wisdom, and humility comes before honor” (Proverbs 15:33).

Humility is the doorway to wisdom, blessing, and spiritual growth.

Pride Resists, Humility Receives

Pride keeps us from God — it says, “I don’t need help.” But humility opens the heart to grace: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).

Only those who know they are spiritually poor will come to Jesus for mercy (Matthew 5:3).

The Humility of Christ

Jesus is the model of perfect humility. “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).

Though He was God, He made Himself nothing — to serve, to save, to glorify the Father. This is the heart we are called to imitate (Philippians 2:5).

Walking in Humility

Humility isn’t passive — it’s an active way of living. It shows up in confession, in teachability, in listening, in serving, and in lifting others up.

We are told to “clothe yourselves with humility” (Colossians 3:12), to “consider others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3), and to humble ourselves under God’s hand (1 Peter 5:6).

The Cross Kills Pride

The cross destroys all boasting. It shows us that our sin was so serious it took the blood of God’s Son — and that His love was so great, He gladly paid it.

There is no room for pride in the shadow of the cross. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31).

Scripture References

Humility is not weakness — it is strength under surrender. It’s the heart that knows God is everything and we are nothing without Him. Through the cross, pride dies and grace flows. To walk with Christ is to walk in humility — depending on His mercy, delighting in His glory, and lifting others above ourselves.

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