TKB Notes on Humility

Notes on the [The Kingdom Builders] cell group discussion on humility.

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+ The quality or condition of being humble, meek, subdued, modesty, lowliness


+ Just like faith, humility is attractive to God. If faith moves the hand of God on our behalf, I believe humility turns the face of God toward us. Several passages in the Bible show the appeal humility has on God.


+ The attitude of humility has turned God away from His anger.

2 Chronicles 12:7 – When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the LORD came to Shemaiah: "Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.

2 Chronicles 12:12 – Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD's anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed.


+ Humility in God’s people has caused Him to turn His ears to their prayers.

2 Chronicles 7:14 – If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 34:27 – Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD.


+ God finds humility a very desirable character in a man and as a result, He does the following for those who are humble hearted:

God saves them
2 Samuel 22:28 – You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.
Psalm 18:27 – You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.

He guides them
Psalm 25:9 – He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

He sustains them
Psalm 147:6 – The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.

He crowns them with salvation
Psalm149:4 – For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.

He gives grace to them
Proverbs 3:34 – He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.

He esteems them
Isaiah 66:2 – This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.

He makes them greatest in the Kingdom
Matthew 18:4 – Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

He exalts them
Matthew 23:12 – For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

He lifts them up
Luke 1:52 – He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
1 Peter 5:6 – Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.


+ Other benefits of humility include:

Wisdom
Proverbs 11:2 -- When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Honor
Proverbs 15:33 – The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor. (First you learn humility, then you experience glory.)

Proverbs 18:12 – Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Wealth and life
Proverbs 22:4 – Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.

Reconciliation Favor Peace Security


+ We can see the importance of humility throughout the Bible when God’s word instructs us to:

Seek it
Zephaniah 2:3 – Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger.

Serve the Lord with it
Acts 20:19 – I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews.

Matthew 20: 26-28 – Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Treat others in that attitude
Philippians 2:3-4 – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Clothe ourselves with it
Colossians 3:12-13 – Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

1 Peter 5:5 – Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Show it to all
Titus 3:1-2 -- Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.


+ Humbling situations are a test of what’s in our hearts

Deuteronomy 8: 2-3 – Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.


+ God has the ability and the authority to humble and lift up his people

1 Samuel 2:7-8 – The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. "For the foundations of the earth are the LORD's; upon them he has set the world.