Humility Defined

This is a true humility [a modest view of one’s own importance; the act or posture of lowering oneself in relation to others, or conversely, having a clear perspective and respect for one’s place in context]. The humility that we learn as believers in Christ. For if Jesus Himself took off His Royalty, was sent down in human (flawed) form, endured all suffering– all the way to the point of DEATH… Then how much more shall we practice this same principle. The bible declares in Matthew 23:12, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted!”

Jesus had a clear perspective. He had us in mind. He was not considering His own importance of being but considered the importance of us! Jesus had no issue with humility. He was humility defined. For us, we must adhere to this character. That’s all that it takes to win the war within, at home, at work, at church and in every place. The enemy is trying to rob us of precious time! We MUST seek God in this and bring any stubborn and resistant behavior into subjection. How? Through prayer! Lots of prayer! Fervent prayer! By constant prayer! David grasped this concept by practicing a life of worship and prayer. For many kings in their exalted role would struggle in this area. For David wrote in Psalm 35:13-34, “Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.”

Other kings in the word are outlined all through 1 and 2 Kings after David and Solomon. They were humbled. For those that surrendered and submitted wholeheartedly to God were prosperous and protected! King Nebuchadnezzar was humbled in Daniel 4:28-34. Until he was brought to a humbling experience, then he received an exchange of restoration.

God wants us to be humble too. We have to give God access to every area in our life so that He can govern it! If we don’t acknowledge Him or invite Him in then how can we expect Him to intervene on our behalf? We have to allow Him access to ABIDE! Abide is to remain!!! For this is what humility and submission is all about.

Jesus said in John 15:1-7, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

If we do not abide in Him we won’t be able to do anything on our own strength! Nothing will last. Nothing will survive. Nothing will bear fruit the way that God intends for our life. He wants us to experience MUCH fruit. Not for us to be hanging on by a limb! But for every place in our life to yield forth fruit! This is how we will gain the victory. And it takes being humble.

Humility defined is simply this…Jesus Christ giving up all so that we can have it all. A life of abundance. So if He humbled Himself, then certainly we must. We can’t go on living through this war-zone of a life thinking that we have it all covered just by our own stubborn ways. It is time to give God the dominion. It is time for us to believe that we can have this abundant life when we learn how to function through humble acts.  Especially for our home, our marriage, our children, our career, our finances, our health and so much more. It is not worth fighting for all this on our own strength when there is a way that shows us better.

The Son of Man showed us that way. Jesus gave humility a definition. He is the ultimate example and sacrifice. If you are tired of fighting so hard… Let the guards down. Humble yourself in the sight of God and He will lift you up [James 4:10]. His word [Christ Jesus] is living proof and a guarantee of that.