THE VIRTUE OF HUMILITY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY JULY 08, 2021.

SUBJECT : THE VIRTUE OF HUMILITY!

Memory verse: "A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor." (Proverbs 29 vs 23.)

READ: Proverbs 18 vs 12; 22 vs 4; Isaiah 57 vs 15; Matthew 23 vs 12: 

Proverbs 18:12: Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility.

22:4: By humility and fear of the LORD are riches and honor and life.

Isaiah 57:15: For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Matthew 23:12: And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

INTIMATION:

Being humble is not to think of yourself too highly or putting oneself down. It is not self-degradation, rather it is realistic self-assessment, understanding your limitations, and realizing your sinfulness. Truly humble people compare themselves only with Christ, recognizing their gifts and strength and are willing to use them, as Christ directs, to serve. It is also to bring oneself low; it can imply lower social or economic status; it is being meek or gentle. Humility means proper respect for God, not self-depreciation.

Humble people are not wise in their own opinion. They guard against pride, and are willing to admit their mistakes, and be open to godly advice of others, and ask for help when needed. They always review their plans, thoughts, and actions, comparing them with what Christ would have done in the same circumstances. Healthy self-evaluation is important, and the key to an honest and accurate self-evaluation is knowing the basis of our self-worth, comparing our thoughts and actions with Christ's standards. 

Humility is a virtue that can be practiced by anybody as it has no age barrier. Both young and old should be humble and ready to serve each other. Young men should follow the leadership of older men, who should lead by example. Respect those who are older than you, listen to those younger than you, and be humble enough to admit that you can learn from others. The nature of the world is to strive to exalt one’s self above the fellow man. However, the nature of Christianity is submission to one’s fellow man. Unless one learns the spirit of submission he has not learned the spirit of Christ. 

Perhaps, the account of the Scripture that illustrates the consequences of pride and humility more vividly is God's humiliation of King Nebuchadnezzar:

"All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?

While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.

That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from the men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagle's feathers and his nails like bird's claws." (Daniel 4 vs 28 - 33.)  

King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which was interpreted to him by prophet Daniel. But he refused to do what the LORD commanded him to do within the twelve months probationary period, and God's wrath was unleashed upon him according to his dream. 

The Bible warns that pride is the surest route to self-destruction. A humble person is more secure than a proud person because humility gives a more accurate perspective of oneself and the world.

Prayer: Abba Father, engrace me with the humility that is in Christ, to think lowly of myself, and be meek and gentle, ready to serve You and others, even with the talents You deposited in me, in Jesus' Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!