You’ve heard it said that you should be humble.
The Bible talks about humility a lot.
But when you stop and think about it – what does being humble actually mean? Does it mean putting yourself down or thinking less of yourself? There seems to be some confusion over the true meaning of humility.
In this article, we’ll take a close look at several Bible passages to get to the bottom of what being humble is really all about.
You might be surprised to find humility isn’t about thinking poorly of yourself at all.
We’ll unpack the original meaning of the word humble and see how it’s used throughout Scripture.
Get ready to gain clarity on this often misunderstood concept – and maybe even start practicing true humility in your own life!
The Biblical Meaning of “Humble”
Being humble, according to the Bible, means recognizing you are a creature of God and you exist to serve His purposes, not your own.
Selflessness over Self-Importance
To be humble is to put others before yourself.
It’s thinking of yourself less and being willing to serve.
The opposite of humility is pride, arrogance and self-importance.
As Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
Dependence on God
Humility means acknowledging you need God and rely on Him, not yourself.
You recognize you have limitations, frailties and faults, and your significance comes from God alone.
As James 4:10 instructs, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” The humble person knows they can’t achieve anything good on their own without God’s grace and help.
Recognizing Your Creaturehood
Humility means understanding you are a creature made by God, for God.
You didn’t create or save yourself.
As a human, you are limited, fallible and prone to sin.
But as a new creation in Christ, you have infinite worth that comes from your Creator.
The humble person lives with an attitude of gratitude for God’s mercy and grace.
So in short, humility is a grace-filled, God-centered view of yourself that translates into selfless living.
It’s not thinking too highly or too lowly of yourself, but thinking of yourself with “sober judgment” as Romans 12:3 puts it.
And that leads to a life of service, compassion and love.
Old Testament Examples of Humility
Humility was an important virtue in the Old Testament, and there are several examples of humble individuals God blessed.
Moses, the leader of the Israelites, was described as the humblest man on earth.
Despite his high position, Moses remained humble before God and the people.
When two men were prophesying in the camp, Moses’ servant asked if he should stop them.
Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”
David was anointed king of Israel as a boy and showed humility before God.
Though Saul sought to kill him, David refused to harm Saul because he was God’s anointed.
David waited patiently for God’s timing.
He acknowledged God’s sovereignty, saying “the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
The widow of Zarephath showed humility by trusting in God’s provision through Elijah.
Though she had only enough oil and flour for one more meal, she obeyed Elijah’s request first to feed him, then to feed her son and herself.
God miraculously caused her supplies to last until the drought ended.
Her humility and faith were rewarded.
The Old Testament shows that humility, faith and patience lead to God’s blessing and provision.
These examples remind us that we should acknowledge God’s sovereignty in every situation and trust in His perfect timing and plan.
Though it can be difficult, humility and obedience will be rewarded.
God gives grace to the humble but opposes the proud.
New Testament Teachings on Humility
The New Testament frequently emphasizes the importance of humility.
For Jesus and the apostles, humility was a virtue that all Christians should cultivate.
Jesus as the Ultimate Example
Jesus himself modeled perfect humility.
He left the glory of heaven and took on the form of a servant (Phil 2:7).
Although he was God, he did not cling to equality with God.
Instead, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Phil 2:8).
Jesus taught his disciples that “whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 18:4).
Be Humble Towards One Another
The apostles instructed believers to show humility in their relationships with one another.
James wrote, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10).
Peter likewise commanded Christians to “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” (1 Pet 5:5).
According to Paul, humility is a key part of walking in a manner worthy of the calling of Christ (Eph 4:1-2).
God Opposes the Proud
The New Testament warns that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
Pride leads to disharmony and strife, but those who are humble receive grace and favor from God.
As Paul wrote, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Phil 2:3).
Humility is the antidote to selfishness, conceit, and discord.
Humility Leads to Blessing
While the world teaches that power, status, and ambition lead to greatness, Jesus and the apostles taught the opposite.
Those who humble themselves will be blessed and exalted by God in due time.
As Jesus said, “whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt 23:12).
The way up is down.
Humility leads to honor and blessing.
Practical Ways to Cultivate Humility
Humility is a virtue that takes effort and intentionality to develop.
Here are some practical steps you can take to cultivate humility in your life:
Focus on Others, Not Yourself
Make a habit of listening to others and being genuinely interested in them.
Ask people about their lives, their challenges, their interests, and listen without judgment.
Take the focus off yourself and seek to understand others.
Look for ways to encourage and support the people around you.
Accept Your Limitations
Recognize that you have limits and weaknesses, just like every other human.
Don’t pretend to know everything or be good at everything.
Admit when you’re wrong or when you need help.
Say “I don’t know” when you don’t have an answer.
Accepting your limitations and imperfections is a key part of humility.
Be Willing to Serve
Look for opportunities to serve others with a glad and willing heart.
Maybe it’s helping a neighbor, volunteering your time, or simply doing small acts of kindness each day.
A humble person considers others as more important than themselves and finds joy in serving them.
Learn From Your Mistakes
When you fail or make a mistake, view it as an opportunity to learn.
Don’t make excuses or blame others.
Humbly admit your failure and look for the lesson you can take from it.
Ask yourself what you can improve for next time.
A humble person is always learning and open to correction.
Practice Gratitude
Cultivate an attitude of gratitude for life’s simple blessings.
Be thankful for what you have instead of resentful over what you lack.
Express your gratitude to others and appreciate what they add to your life.
Gratitude is a hallmark of humility.
Following these practical steps can help you develop humility.
But remember, humility is a journey.
Don’t get discouraged if you struggle—just get back to practicing humility and relying on God’s grace to transform you.
Common Questions About Biblical Humility
What does it mean to be humble in the Bible?
To be humble in a biblical sense means recognizing your own insignificance and limitations compared to God.
It means not being arrogant or prideful, but instead being modest, meek, and willing to serve others.
Humble people don’t see themselves as more important than others.
They know that everything they have comes from God.
Why is humility so important to God?
God values humility because pride is the root of sin.
When we become prideful, we put ourselves above God and others.
Humility is the antidote to pride.
God wants us to recognize Him as the source of all good things.
He wants us to see ourselves and others the way He sees us – as equally loved and valued.
How can I become more humble?
Some ways to develop humility include:
•Focus on God, not yourself.
Remember that God is the source of your gifts, talents, and blessings.
Give Him the glory for your accomplishments.
•Serve others.
Look for ways to meet the needs of people around you.
Helping others gets your mind off yourself and builds gratitude.
•Admit your mistakes and limitations.
Say “I was wrong” when needed.
Recognize you don’t have all the answers and you need others.
•Accept criticism gracefully.
Listen for the grain of truth in what others say about you.
Don’t get defensive.
•Compliment others sincerely.
Notice the good in people and tell them.
This takes the focus off you and makes their day.
•Spend time in prayer and Bible reading.
Seeing God for who He is, and seeing yourself through His eyes, leads to true humility.
•Practice humility in thought and deed.
Make a habit of putting others first in your mind and actions.
Humility becomes a way of life.
God values a humble heart that depends on Him.
As we walk in humility, God pours out His grace and lifts us up.
So the lower we bow, the higher He raises us.
Humility always leads us closer to the heart of God.
Conclusion
You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to understand what it really means to be humble.
The heart of humility is about having an accurate view of yourself – not too high or too low.
It’s about being open to correction and advice.
It’s about considering others as more important than yourself.
Humility allows us to see our own faults and limitations, so we can grow.
God calls us to walk humbly, not just for our own sakes, but so we can lift up and serve those around us.
So take some time to reflect on true humility.
How can you develop a more humble attitude in your relationships? What steps can you take to put others first? Humility may be a quiet virtue, but its impact can speak volumes.