Humility is a powerful character trait.
Even business leaders increasingly recognise the value of humility. A genuinely humble person knows both what they are good at and where they need to improve. They don't need to pretend to have all the answers, and they are open to learning and growing.
But what does humility mean for the Christian?
Humility before God begins with recognising our dependence upon Him.
It is the ability to honestly assess both our strengths and our limitations. Humility involves truthfulness – neither exaggerating nor denying who and what we actually are.
It isn't self-abasement. It is honest acknowledgement.
Humility isn't thinking poorly of yourself. It is rightly understanding yourself before God and others – neither inflated nor diminished.
And when we think about humility in relation to other people, it means being willing to prioritise another person's welfare over our own.
For the Christian, humility combines self-respect with a willingness to sacrifice, because we recognise our worth before God and that it comes from God while choosing to serve others in love.
What Does the Bible Say?
Paul gives us perhaps the clearest picture of biblical humility in Philippians 2:3–8. He contrasts selfish ambition and vain conceit with humility – the ability to consider others as more important than ourselves.
Then Paul points us towards Jesus. Jesus did not grasp after position or privilege. Instead, He humbled Himself, taking the very nature of a servant and becoming obedient even to death on a cross.
This is not weakness. This is extraordinary strength directed by love. Jesus knew exactly who He was, yet He was completely willing to serve. That gives us an important insight into humility:
Humility isn't thinking less of yourself. It is knowing who you are before God and being secure enough to serve others.
Micah 6:8 gives us a remarkably simple picture of what God requires: “Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” Humility simply isn't an optional extra for the Christian life.
Jesus’ brother writes in James 4:6 giving us a sobering reminder: “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.” When I read that, I think about what it would mean to be opposed by God. For me, that is something I desperately want to avoid! James reminds us that God gives grace (His unmerited favour and power for life) to the humble. This isn't a trade-off. It is an extraordinary win!
Peter tells us in 1 Peter 5:5–6 to “clothe” ourselves with humility. In other words, humility requires deliberate choices. It is something we put on and practise. Peter also connects humility with submission and reminds us that God will lift us up at the proper time. That matters. I have known people who have positioned themselves through pride in places and spaces they were not yet capable of handling with godliness, faith and wisdom. It is far better to get the promotions God delivers, than our pride! Jesus addresses this very issue in Luke 14:7–11, where He teaches us not to seek the place of honour for ourselves.
Humility trusts God with advancement.
Biblical Examples
There are some wonderful examples of humility in Scripture.
Moses is described as “very humble” in Numbers 12:3. David, although he was a gifted musician, leader and king, repeatedly describes himself as God's servant. That is not self-deprecation it is an accurate understanding of who he is in relation to God. And Mary, the mother of Jesus. In her song of praise in Luke 1:46–55, Mary describes herself as the Lord's servant and recognises her lowly position before Him. Mary isn't saying she has no value. She is rightly positioning herself before the Lord.
The Bible also gives us negative examples. Think of Saul, Nebuchadnezzar, Herod and Diotrephes. Their stories remind us what can happen when our understanding of ourselves becomes inflated and we begin to position ourselves above others or even above God. Diotrephes is described as someone “who loves to be first” in 3 John 9 – can you imagine that being the only reference to you in the Bible!!
Humility Is Formed
So what does it look like when God's Word and Spirit transform us in the area of humility?
It may begin with recognising our insecurity. We discover that we don't have to prove ourselves.
That recognition leads us towards dependence on God.
As we depend upon Him, our identity in Christ becomes more established.
From that identity comes confidence without arrogance.
And as our confidence grows, we become increasingly willing to submit and serve.
The movement might look something like this:
Insecurity → Dependence → Identity → Confidence → Submission → Service
Notice the direction.
Biblical humility doesn't leave us feeling smaller. It makes us secure enough to stop making everything about ourselves. We no longer have to be the most important person in the room. We don't have to win every argument.
We don't have to protect our image.
We don't have to be number one.
We can simply be who God has called us to be and serve others in love.
Humility Across the Stages
So what might this look like across our four stages of discipleship?
An Infant may begin with:
“I recognise that pride is wrong.” There is an emerging awareness that self-centredness and pride are not God's way.
A Child may increasingly say:
“I am learning to prefer others before myself, even when it costs me.” Humility is becoming visible through choices and actions.
An Adolescent may be able to say:
“I don't need to be #1 to protect my image.” There is growing security in Christ. I don't have to compete for significance because my identity is established in Him.
And an Adult may increasingly say:
“The Lord will advance me at His timing and for His purposes, and He is truly sufficient for me in the meantime.” That is mature humility. It doesn't mean having no ambition or refusing responsibility. It means trusting God with when, where and how He advances us.
So, Who Am I Becoming?
Humility asks us to look honestly at ourselves.
Do I need to be noticed?
Do I need to be right?
Do I need to be first?
Do I struggle when someone else receives the recognition?
Can I celebrate another person's success without feeling diminished?
Can I receive correction without becoming defensive?
Can I serve when nobody notices?
And perhaps most importantly:
Am I secure enough in who I am before God that I no longer need to prove myself to everyone else?
Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is knowing who you are before God – and being secure enough in that identity to love, submit, serve and even sacrifice for others.
That is the humility we see in Jesus. And that is the humility God wants to form in us.
Reflection Questions
How do I respond when someone points out an area where I need to grow?
Do I find myself needing recognition, position or affirmation to feel significant?
Can I genuinely celebrate someone else's success without feeling diminished?
Where might God be inviting me to trust Him rather than trying to position or promote myself?
How can I promote humility in those I’m discipling, without it looking like I am putting them down?
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank You that You showed us what true humility looks like. You knew exactly who You were, yet You willingly humbled Yourself and became a servant. Help me to know who I am before You.
Free me from the need to prove myself, protect my image or compete with others.
Where there is insecurity in me, teach me dependence upon You. Establish my identity in Christ so that I can walk with confidence without arrogance.
Help me to receive correction, to value others, to submit when necessary and to serve without needing recognition.
Teach me to trust Your timing and Your purposes for my life.
May I become increasingly secure in You and increasingly willing to put others before myself.
Make me more like Jesus. In His name, Amen.
Your Next Step
This week, ask the Holy Spirit:
“Where am I still trying to prove myself?”
Then listen.
Perhaps it is through needing recognition, having to be right, seeking a position, protecting your image or finding it difficult to celebrate someone else's success.
Whatever He reveals, don't respond with shame. Bring it to Jesus.
Then deliberately choose one act of humility – listen, submit, encourage, serve, apologise, give way or celebrate someone else.
Remember:
Humility isn't thinking less of yourself. It is knowing who you are before God and being secure enough to serve others.
This blog was written by Richard Botta.
