The Spiritual Discipline of Humility

According to Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, humility is “the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one’s own importance, rank, etc.” Interestingly enough, at the bottom of the page is this list of synonyms: “Humility; bashfulness; distrust; suspicion; doubt; fear; timidity; apprehension; hesitation.”

And there we have the problem with humility in a nutshell. What is it really? Here are five admonitions from God’s word concerning humility:

1. “It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.” (Prov. 16:19)

2. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

3. “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:3)

4. “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Col. 3:12)

5. “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another. … Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.” (1 Pet. 5:5-6)

What would happen if we put any of those suggested synonyms into these verses? “It is better to be fearful in spirit. … Walk distrustfully with your God. … With suspicion of mind, regard one another as more important.” This can’t be right! The original definition, “ a modest opinion or estimate of one’s own importance” seems much closer. But we shouldn’t go on “seems.” A Christian can’t just look for the definition he likes best, when rightly dividing the Word of truth. And besides, we’ve seen experienced Christians display all of the above attitudes and more, and label them humility.

One of the most surprising Bible texts on humility says that even God humbles Himself! “Who is like the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth?” (Psalm 113:5-6) One of the things the Hebrew word includes is a lowering of the eyes, usually in submission. The Psalmist is pointing out that it is a deliberate lowering of God’s eyes to look down to us. This planet is so messed up, we could add that it is a lowering of His standards, too, to be willing to look on all this sin and pain when He could keep His attention on heaven and let us cease to exist. God is clearly not fearful, doubting, or suspicious.