I. INTRODUCTION
A. It has been said, "They that know God will be humble, and they that know themselves cannot be proud. Such genuine humility is an essential trait for the character of a Christian.
B. In this lesson, let us consider how we can employ this saying and cultivate genuine humility in ourselves.
II. THINK REALISTICALLY ABOUT YOURSELF
A. Some people have the false idea that humility is a matter of self-loathing and self-abasement.
1. Humility is not expressed when a person says, "I am worthless, "I can't do anything right, "I'm stupid, etc. This is only foolish talk that accomplishes no good.
2. Such attitudes do not glorify God, and they often lead to depression, disobedience, apathy, idleness, shirking of duty, and sometimes even abuse of the body.
3. A total devaluing of self is actually an insult to God, for each one of us has value and is "fearfully and wonderfully made by God (Ps. 139:14). God did not make any worthless people.
B. In truth, humility is an attitude that results from an accurate opinion of self.
1. A humble person knows what he is worth. He does not think too highly or too little of himself, but he sees himself for what he really is in the sight of God.
2. An accurate opinion of self is obtained from the word of God and honest self-evaluation.
a. The word of God reveals to us every strong point, every weakness, every perfect point, and every flaw in ourselves. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. In many ways, God's word is a mirror that reflects who we are (Jas. 1:23-25).
b. Christians are commanded to evaluate themselves according to the faith, for 2Corinthians 13:5 says, "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you unless indeed you fail the test?
c. The Bible shows us the truth about our sin, which is that all have sinned and are worthy of death (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). Therefore, our opinion of self must be like that of the prodigal son, who said, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son (Luke 15:21).
d. Even though we are unworthy sinners, we must also accept the Bible's message that God so loved us that He gave His only begotten Son for us (John 3:16). Therefore, we are highly valuable in the sight of God, and we must be radically respectful of the tremendous price that was paid for us (1Pet. 1:17-19).
3. Christians are told to have an accurate opinion of their own abilities and responsibilities within the body of Christ.
a. In Romans 12:3, Paul wrote, "For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. In verses 4-8, he explained how each member has a unique role in the body that must be exercised accordingly (see also 1Cor. 12).
b. Notice that this self-assessment is to include an acknowledgement of the source of all abilities and talents, which is God. "God has allotted to each a measure of faith, so if we can do anything good and useful, it is only because of Him.
c. Christians must understand that whatever good they do is only their rightful service to the Lord. The correct attitude about good works was given by Jesus in Luke 17:10 "So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'
d. For these reason, when we do good works, the glory for them is to go to our Father in heaven and not to ourselves (Matt. 5:16).
4. So then, a Christian's accurate opinion of self includes an understanding of the following:
a. What he can do and what he cannot do;
b. What he does well and what he does not do well;
c. What he does wrong and what he can do better;
d. Who he is an unworthy sinner redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ;
e. Who is the source of his abilities (God) and who is not the source (self).
C. An accurate opinion of self destroys pride and arrogance, which are the opposites of humility.
1. A proud man thinks his talents are his own doing, but a humble man knows they come from God.
2. A proud man does good works for his own glory, but a humble man works for the glory of God.
3. A proud man boasts of his possessions, but a humble man knows they belong to God.
4. A proud man is aware of only good about himself, but a humble man also sees his own flaws.
5. A proud man thinks he can do things that he cannot, but a humble knows his limitations.
III. THINK HIGHLY OF OTHERS
A. Another component of humility is an attitude of deference and preference for others above self.
1. This is the attitude of selflessness that causes us to think of others before we think of self. Each Christian is to defer to his brother when there are conflicts of opinion, and he is to prefer his brother even above himself.
2. Consider the instruction of Philippians 2:3-4 "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.
a. This gives the definition of selflessness, which is to "do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit and to be mindful "for the interests of others.
b. Notice that Christians are told to "regard one another as more important that yourselves. We know that we are all equally valued in the eyes of God (Rom. 2:11), but each Christian is to consider every other Christian to be more important than himself.
B. Jesus Christ gave us the greatest example of the attitude of humility when He gave His own life for us.
1. Following the instruction of Philippians 2:3-4, Paul gave the example of Jesus as an illustration. Notice verses 5-8:
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
2. Remember the instruction, "Regard one another as more important than yourselves, and consider how Jesus exemplified it.
a. It is evident to all that the Son of God is more important than any man, but when He came in the form of a bond-servant and the likeness of men, He regarded all others as more important than Himself.
b. This was not merely a state of mind, but it was a manifestation of deeds by which Jesus put the interests of others above his own interests.
c. By this, we know what genuine humility is. Jesus had an accurate opinion of Himself, for He knew exactly who He was. Even so, He treated all others as if they were more important than He. This is why Jesus says to us, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart (Matt. 11:29).
IV. CONCLUSION
A. If we follow God's word, think realistically about ourselves, and think highly of others, then God has promised to exalt us.
1. This promise is given in James 4:10 "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
2. It is repeated in 1Peter 5:5-7 "You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
B. In this way the words of Jesus concerning the kingdom are fulfilled, which say, "So the last shall be first, and the first last (Matt. 20:16).