Humility Looks Like Jesus
What does humility look like? The truest example of humility is Jesus Christ. Therefore, as I strive to live with humility, I must mature to become more Christlike. This requires that I live under God’s authority.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Philippians 2:5–8 NLT
Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Jesus Is the Example of Humility
Jesus, who is our unparalleled example of humility, while upon earth literally could have been the embodiment of a superhero or the alien from another world with supreme power. He could have wowed the populace and wooed the noble into following Him. Jesus could have been the conqueror of the world.
With His infinite knowledge and authority over the elements, He could have ushered in the generation of technology with His unfathomable wisdom. He could have established colleges and schools of philosophy. Jesus was in a strategic position to be the ultimate human. None of which, however, would have saved the souls of humankind from our sins.
Jesus instead chose to make “Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:6–8 NJKV).
Jesus chose to be our Savior, submitting perfectly and precisely to the will of His Father. He asserted, “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me” (John 5:30 ESV).
What Humility Looks Like for Me
- Humility is understanding that your life is not your own, for it has been given by God and is to be directed at His will. See 1 Corinthians 6:12–20.
- Humility is based on trusting God, who loves you and will work all things for His glory and your well-being. See 2 Corinthians 4:7–10.
- Humility submits your soul to Christ because His blood has purchased it, and therefore, humility realizes that your life is to be spent for His pleasure. See Romans 12:1–2.
- Humility empties your soul of self concerning any notion that you have rights that entitle you to preferential treatment over another person. See Philippians 2:3–4.
- Humility is the attitude of the soul when you have removed from your heart any assertion that promotes self-interest over God’s will and is devoid of any resistance that asserts itself against God’s purpose. See Philippians 2:5–10.
- Humility is the soul finding Jesus relevant to every area of life. The humble wait dependently for Christ seeking to “live out your salvation to its full potential with fear and trembling.” See Philippians 2:11–12.
- Humility is predicated upon the premise that God has the sovereign right to order your steps in any manner that pleases His holy purpose. See Isaiah 45:9, 11–12.
- Humility is not simply a disposition or an attitude fostered by an attempt to subdue self. Instead, humility is a condition of the soul shaped into the image of Jesus facilitated by the Holy Spirit. See Galatians 5:16–25.
Humility Looks Like Brokenness
The Holy Spirit leads us to encounter truth, believe the truth, be traumatized by truth, and enter into the brokenness fostered by truth. Subsequently, the Holy Spirit transforms us into a divine people submissive and obedient to His will. As I am willing to give up my willfulness, humility is evidenced in brokenness. Read How Can I Be Humble for a more comprehensive viewpoint.
With these evidences of humility in mind, would you characterize yourself as a humble person?
Insight Journal
- In what ways does my life evidence humility?
- In what ways does my life NOT evidence humility?
Be Humble is step number 7 in the 10 Steps to Spiritual Maturity.
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