Humble Yourself Before the Lord

Growing up, my parents never stopped reminding me about the need to always ‘humble yourself before the Lord’ at the slightest opportunity. My earliest understanding of the meaning of humility was behaving politely at any gathering. That only helped a little because I didn’t hesitate to speak my mind on any issue. 

Now as a growing believer, my perspective on humility has shifted. I’ve realized that humility is much more than good behavior or a quiet facial expression.

Humility means total dependence on God’s ability and finality even in difficult seasons. 

True humility comes when we realize that our sufficiency is of God. It is not allowing our material possession or difficult situations to cloud our sense of reasoning.

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What Does the Bible Say About Being Humble before God?

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From Bible times, God clearly shows us that He abhors pride.  Many kings in Bible times, like Nebuchadnezzar and Herod, had their kingdoms taken from them because of the absence of humility.

In Proverbs 22:4 “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life.” KJV

This Scripture clearly states that there is a relationship between long life and humility. It also means that we could have riches, honor and not have life. 

Humility is the glue that brings it all together (riches, honor, and life). There is an irrevocable blessing attached to humility.

In Proverbs 11:2 Kjv “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Have you ever laughed about other people’s mistakes or criticized the season of life that is before them, only to be faced with the same dilemma and you’re too ashamed to ask for help?

Pride is like a blindfold and earmuffs that prevent us from seeing the ditch just in front of us.

I watched a skit that tells the story of a young woman who lost her job. While weeping in her car, God spoke to her to go to a football field and wait. She wondered what was the relationship between what she wanted and the field.

Anyway, she went to the field and leaned against a goal post. While waiting, she heard a man making a phone call about how he was still searching for a personal assistant for a Senator.

The lady politely interrupted the phone conversation and offered to take up the job. 

She got the job because she humbled herself before God through obedience.

Psalm149:4KJV “For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.”

Moses in the Bible was referred to as the meekest man despite his flaws. Moses had an encounter with God but he was still humble enough to seek leadership counsel from Jethro, his father-in-law. That advice led to blessing.

 Also, in James 4:6 Kjv, the Bible says “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Do you have a hard time forgiving others even though you know the scriptures? Yes, it happens to the best of us.

Our refusal to forgive indicates pride. Choosing forgiveness doesn’t mean that what the other person did wasn’t hurtful.

Rather, it is utilizing the grace already given to us and not relying on our emotions before we forgive other people.

How Does God Teach Us to Be Humble?

God laid the blueprint for humility through his son Jesus Christ. He did this by washing his disciple’s feet. Jesus taught us how to serve with humility of the heart according to that story in John 13:1-17. 

These days some people go about seeking the perfect colleague or friend who would do whatever they ask them to. Jesus knew Judas was going to betray him and his disciples would run away before his crucifixion, yet he served them. 

This teaches us to learn to serve in humility as unto the Lord and not man.

How about the woman at the well of Samaria in John 4:4-26? Jesus humbled Himself to the assignment at hand.

One of the reasons we are often stressed out about life situations is that we have not mastered the act of humbling ourselves before God. When God says cast all your cares upon me. We sometimes want to prove to God that we can fix anything. We want to show that we are strong, independent individuals. 

Other times, we’re trying to earn God’s love and acceptance. Please say this with me slowly, “I am already loved and accepted by God.”

humble yourself before the lord

The Best Way to Humble Yourself Before the Lord

  1. Never rely on your wisdom: The Bible clearly states, “I, the LORD, have put a curse on those who turn from me and trust in human strength.” Jeremiah 17:5 CEV 
  2. Accept corrections
  3. Submit to authority 
  4. Be willing to forgive
  5. Develop a lifestyle of gratitude

What Does it Mean To Humble Yourself Before God?

Humility takes work and as our relationship grows with God it will also evolve. There are times God will teach you how to stop wanting to be ‘right’. Humility also takes sacrifice.  It requires dying to your own flesh to gain God. 

This could be something as simple as retraining yourself from watching some defiling TV shows. You know what I’m talking about.

It could also mean serving alongside people who might not like you and vice-versa. 

If we know the character of God and trust Him, then it should be clear that everything God does is to build our character and capacity for patience and humility.

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hannah udobia

Meet the Author:

Hannah Udobia is a child of God, a YouTube content creator, a school teacher, and a Christian blogger. Find more from Hannah at her blog.