You’ve probably heard it said that humility is a virtue.
But what does it actually mean to be humble according to the Bible? Is being humble the same as putting yourself down or thinking less of yourself? Not exactly.
Humility in the biblical sense is actually the opposite of pride and self-importance.
It’s acknowledging who God is and submitting to His authority in your life.
As you explore the pages of Scripture, you’ll find that humility is a quality God desires for all believers.
Jesus Himself perfectly modeled humility by taking on the form of a servant and ultimately giving His life for us.
Join us as we dive into the biblical meaning of humility – you may just find that cultivating this virtue can profoundly shape your faith and relationship with God.
What Is Biblical Humility?
Humility is a virtue that is emphasized throughout the Bible.
Biblical humility is the opposite of pride and arrogance.
It means considering others as more important than yourself and acknowledging your dependence on God.
Recognizing Your Limitations
To be humble is to have an accurate view of yourself.
It means recognizing that you have limits, flaws, and weaknesses.
You understand that you need God and others.
The humble person realizes they don’t have all the answers and doesn’t think too highly of themselves.
Serving Others
Humility leads to serving others.
When you recognize your own weaknesses and needs, you become better able to show compassion for others in their weaknesses.
The humble person looks for opportunities to lift up others through acts of service, kindness, and sacrifice.
Dependence on God
Ultimately, biblical humility is about recognizing your dependence on God.
Everything you have is a gift from Him.
Your abilities, talents, intelligence, and resources all come from God.
The humble person acknowledges that apart from God, they can do nothing.
They rely on God for guidance, strength, and sustenance in all areas of life.
True humility is a virtue that takes a lifetime to develop but brings great freedom and peace.
It allows you to walk in the calling God has for your life without needing the approval and praise of others.
Cultivating humility leads to healthy, balanced relationships and brings glory to God.
Humility in the Old Testament
Humility was an important virtue in ancient Israel.
God chose humble individuals to lead his people and accomplish great things.
Moses, though a prince of Egypt, was a humble man.
When God called him from the burning bush, Moses felt unworthy of the task.
Still, God used him to lead the Israelites out of slavery.
King David also showed humility.
Though anointed by God, David refused to kill King Saul when he had the chance.
He waited for God’s timing and Saul’s death.
David’s humility and patience were rewarded when he became king.
The prophet Isaiah was keenly aware of his own sinfulness and limitations before the holiness of God.
When called to be a prophet, Isaiah responded humbly, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips.” Still God used him powerfully.
Humility meant recognizing one’s complete dependence on God.
The people of Israel were to walk humbly before the Lord, not attributing their blessings or victories to themselves.
All good gifts came from the hand of God.
The humble person understood they lacked any righteousness or goodness apart from God.
The Old Testament shows that God chooses and lifts up the humble.
While pride leads to destruction, humility leads to wisdom, honor, and God’s favor.
The truly humble person finds their identity, meaning, and purpose in God alone.
And through such a person, God often accomplishes amazing things.
Jesus Christ as the Ultimate Example of Humility
Jesus Christ embodied humility in everything He did and said during His time on earth.
One of the most powerful examples was when He washed the feet of His disciples at the Last Supper.
Foot washing was a menial task usually performed by servants, yet Jesus knelt down and washed the feet of His followers to demonstrate how they should serve others with humility and love.
He Came to Serve, Not Be Served
Jesus told His disciples, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28).
Although Jesus was the Son of God and deserved all glory and honor, He gave up His heavenly throne to take on human form and sacrifice Himself to save humanity from sin.
His entire life was an act of humility and service to others.
He Associated with the Marginalized
During His ministry, Jesus spent time with those society rejected and looked down upon.
He dined with tax collectors and sinners, healed lepers, and forgave prostitutes.
Jesus did not see anyone as beneath Him, and His compassion knew no bounds.
His humility allowed Him to meet people where they were with grace and mercy.
He Endured Suffering and Death
The ultimate act of humility was when Jesus willingly endured the suffering and crucifixion of the cross.
He did not resist or fight back but gave Himself over to be crucified for the sins of the world.
Jesus humbled Himself by accepting death on the cross so that we might have eternal life through faith in Him.
His sacrifice reminds us that true humility involves dying to ourselves and putting the needs of others first.
Jesus calls us to follow His example through acts of humility, service, compassion, and sacrifice.
When we humble ourselves as Jesus did, we draw closer to Him and experience the fullness of His love and grace.
Our lives become a reflection of Christ to others, and the world sees Him through us.
New Testament Teachings on Humility
The New Testament provides many insights into humility through the teachings and examples of Jesus and his disciples.
Jesus exemplified humility in his own life and ministry.
He did not come to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45).
Jesus’ Teachings
Jesus taught his disciples directly about humility and warned them against pride.
He said that “whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).
Jesus used a child as an example of humility, saying “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).
Washing the Disciples’ Feet
One of the most striking examples of Jesus’ humility was when he washed his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper (John 13:1-17).
Foot washing was usually done by servants, but Jesus willingly took on this role to demonstrate how his followers should serve one another with humility.
After washing their feet, Jesus said “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14).
Paul’s Teachings
The apostle Paul also taught extensively about humility.
He instructed Christians to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
Paul said that “the Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:5-7).
Paul believed that humility was a key virtue of the Christian faith.
The teachings and examples of Jesus and Paul show that humility is a defining characteristic of Christianity.
For believers, cultivating humility is a lifelong process of learning to value others above self, and to find identity and purpose through serving God and others.
Practicing Humility in Daily Life
Humility is a virtue that takes conscious effort to develop.
It’s easy to get caught up in pride and ego, but cultivating humility requires putting others first.
Here are some ways to practice humility in your daily life:
Listen More Than You Speak
Make a habit of listening to others and being genuinely interested in their lives, experiences, and perspectives.
Ask follow up questions and be fully present in conversations instead of thinking about what you’re going to say next.
Focusing on others helps shift the spotlight away from yourself.
Accept Correction Graciously
No one likes being told they’re wrong, but handling correction with humility is a sign of maturity.
When someone points out a mistake or shortcoming, resist being defensive.
Thank them for the feedback and commit to learning from it.
Ask clarifying questions if needed and look for the grain of truth in what they’re saying.
Compliment Others Sincerely
Offering sincere compliments is a great way to build others up and practice humility.
Notice the good in people and tell them you appreciate them.
Be specific in your compliments and express how they have positively impacted you.
Focus on actions and character over physical attributes.
Spread kindness wherever you go.
Reflect on Your Own Flaws and Shortcomings
It’s easy to become impatient with the flaws and mistakes of others.
But reflecting on your own imperfections cultivates compassion and humility.
Think about times you have fallen short, hurt others, or made poor decisions.
Remember that you are a work in progress, just like everyone else.
This mental exercise will make you slower to judge and quicker