The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Peter 5:5b-6,
"All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."
Here is Peter's admonition to his readers as he refers to Proverbs 3:34: be humble!
The dictionary defines humility as freedom from pride or arrogance. It comes from a Latin word meaning "low". Paul admonishes his readers, "Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." Romans 12:16.
Humility, the state of being humble, carries great benefits for us in the things of God. The book of Proverbs has a number of things to say in regard to humility.
"He [God] mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed." Proverbs 3:34, (the passage Peter refers to above).
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Proverbs 11:2.
"Wisdom's instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor." Proverbs 15:33.
"Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor." Proverbs 18:12.
"Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life." Proverbs 22:4.
In Matthew 11:29, Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Not only did he claim to be humble himself, he also called his hearers to be humble, "Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."Matthew 23:12.
In Ephesians 4:2, Paul says, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." In Philippians 2:3 he says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves," In one of my favorite passages on the lifestyle Paul points to for believers, he says, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12.
James tells us that humility comes from wisdom, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." James 3:13. He also points out that if we want the Lord to give us a lift (as Peter does in our verse above), he tells us to be humble, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." James 4:10.
In addition to Peter's passage above, he said earlier in his letter, "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." 1 Peter 3:8.
"All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."
Here is Peter's admonition to his readers as he refers to Proverbs 3:34: be humble!
The dictionary defines humility as freedom from pride or arrogance. It comes from a Latin word meaning "low". Paul admonishes his readers, "Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." Romans 12:16.
Humility, the state of being humble, carries great benefits for us in the things of God. The book of Proverbs has a number of things to say in regard to humility.
"He [God] mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed." Proverbs 3:34, (the passage Peter refers to above).
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Proverbs 11:2.
"Wisdom's instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor." Proverbs 15:33.
"Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor." Proverbs 18:12.
"Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life." Proverbs 22:4.
In Matthew 11:29, Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Not only did he claim to be humble himself, he also called his hearers to be humble, "Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."Matthew 23:12.
In Ephesians 4:2, Paul says, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." In Philippians 2:3 he says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves," In one of my favorite passages on the lifestyle Paul points to for believers, he says, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12.
James tells us that humility comes from wisdom, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." James 3:13. He also points out that if we want the Lord to give us a lift (as Peter does in our verse above), he tells us to be humble, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." James 4:10.
In addition to Peter's passage above, he said earlier in his letter, "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." 1 Peter 3:8.
Clearly humility is a spiritual virtue that is important in our lives as believers and carries with it great benefits!
Got humility?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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