God's Exquisite Garden HUMILITY Print version The word humility means a lack of false pride. Another definition is a modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance or rank. Larger image It is so true, an humble rural individual who serves the Lord is better off than a distinguished, intelligent person who is neglecting his soul. When people know themselves well, they examine their lives carefully. They do not want the high praise of men, but the satisfaction of living their lives pleasing to the Lord. We read in I Corinthians 1:31,"... as it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the Lord. '" We all have seen people who have become knowledgeable and then soon also become proud. Even if a person is knowledgeable about different things, he should also realize there is much he does not know. People need to understand, the more they know the harsher judgment they will receive. When we think of ourselves as unworthy, at all times thinking good of others, this is the greatest wisdom. The great apostle Paul said in I Timothy 1:15," This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. " No one is worthy of the enormous sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us in our behalf, in that He lay down his life for mankind that they might live. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each a measure of faith. Romans 12:3(NKJV) Humility is a state of mind and an outstanding Christian grace. With humility, we can keep our souls in serenity and with it patience is forged in us during trials. We read in Philippians 2: 6-8 about the humility of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is our supreme example of humility. In Job 22:29 we find," When they cast you down, and you say, 'Exaltation will come ', Then he will save the humble person. " An excellent example given to us in the Bible is the parable of the publican. Luke 18:13 ," And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner.'" The Pharisee only wanted to impress other people. We should be as humble as the tax collector and not proud as the Pharisee was. Yes, the Pharisee was probably wealthier and better dressed than the tax collector. The tax collector was humble. I Samuel 16:7, "For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." We should ultimately want to please God. When we approach God in prayer, we want to do so with the proper attitude. That correct attitude would be humility. If we have God dwelling in our hearts and working through us in our lives, we will strive to be humble at all times. It will cause us to be dependent upon God and not ourselves or anything manmade. We will realize His great sacrifice and truly understand all He has done for us. We will be humbled with this knowledge. Obedience to the Lord's commands will humble us. Do you remember the story of Naaman? In 2 Kings 5:13 we read," And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said,' My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, Wash, and be clean? '" Naaman, who was commander of the army in Syria, had the dreaded disease leprosy. A servant girl told him of Elisha, who was a prophet of God. Elisha was in Samaria. When Elisha told Naaman to dip seven times in the muddy Jordan River, Naaman wanted to dip himself into a cleaner river. Elisha told him it had to be the Jordan River. When Naaman dipped six times he still had leprosy. But, the seventh time, Naaman was cleansed of his leprosy. Our pride is challenged when we humbly accept the love of God. The example of Naaman shows us how we're to humbly obey God's commandments just as He tells us, not as we feel it should be done. Our gratitude for God will only be increased by humility, and when we truly see God's magnificence we are humbled in His sight. Humility will give us a deeper realization of our unworthiness. As Jesus Christ, our supreme example served others with humility, so should we strive to follow Him. When we look at the impressive, majestic works of our Lord, we are humbled in His sight. We get a clearer sense of our own worth when compared to the marvelous works of God. Psalm 8: 3-4," When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of Man that you visit him? " Let nothing be done with selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Philippians 2:3(NKJV) And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:12(NKJV) And he sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." Mark 9:35(NKJV) And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.” Luke 9:48(NKJV) He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8(NKJV) Humility is a state of mind and an outstanding Christian grace. With humility, we can keep our souls in serenity, and with it patience is forged in us during trials. We read in Philippians 2: 6-8 about the humility of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is our supreme example of humility. In I Samuel 18:15-18 we see how David was humble as he was being praised. Are we able to stay humble while being praised by others? A three-way mirror has few things that are as humbling as it is. Discussion and study questions: (1) In our spiritual life, why is humility considered a considerable element? (2) What form of service does our Lord prefer? (3) Is God happy when I perform tasks for Him to show off before others? (4) If God made me as I am, why is it necessary to be humble? Lookup a word or passage in the Bible Include this form on your page Copyright 2007 Linda Lawrence Lessons in this Series About The Author Print Version of All Lessons Lesson 1 Attitude Lesson 2 The Mind of Christ Lesson 3 Imitate Christ Lesson 4 Communication Lesson 5 Taming the Tongue Lesson 6 Our Legacy Lesson 7 Compassion Lesson 8 Confidence Lesson 9 Courage Lesson 10 Gossip Lesson 11 Honesty Lesson 12 Profanity Lesson 13 Improper Language . . Lesson 14 Faith Lesson 15 Encouragement Lesson 16 Humility Lesson 17 Assurance Lesson 18 Perseverance Lesson 19 Strength to Endure Suffering Lesson 20 Grieve Not The Spirit Lesson 21 Understanding Lesson 22 Knowledge Lesson 23 Wisdom Lesson 24 Purity in Heart Lesson 25 Trust Lesson 26 Obedience . . Lesson 27 Happiness Lesson 28 Contentment Lesson 29 Optimism Lesson 30 Inner Peace Lesson 31 Self-Control Lesson 32 Our Example Lesson 33 Patience Lesson 34 Concern Lesson 35 Testing Of Our Faith Lesson 36 Mercy Lesson 37 Grace Lesson 38 Problems Concerning Failure Lesson 39 Practical Results . . Lesson 40 Good Works Lesson 41 Women Teachers in Bible Times Lesson 42 Women Teachers Today Lesson 43 Having Good Friends Lesson 44 Choosing a Husband Lesson 45 Choosing a Wife Lesson 46 The Exemplary Daughter Part 1 Lesson 47 The Exemplary Daughter Part 2 Lesson 48 The Ideal Mother Part 1 Lesson 49 The Ideal Mother Part 2 Lesson 50 The Home As God Would Have It Part 1 Lesson 51 The Home As God Would Have It Part 2 Lesson 52 Impurity, . . Lesson 53 Marriage As God Would Have It Part 1 Lesson 54 Marriage As God Would Have It Part 2 Lesson 55 The Virtuous Woman Part 1 Lesson 56 The Virtuous Woman Part 2 Lesson 57 The Virtuous Woman Part 3 Lesson 58 Love Lesson 59 Morality Lesson 60 Pride & Haughtiness Lesson 61 Kindness Lesson 62 Respect Lesson 63 Modesty Lesson 64 Lying Lesson 65 Lewdness . . Lesson 66 Incomprehensible God Lesson 67 Unsearchable Riches Lesson 68 Infinite God Lesson 69 Holiness of God Lesson 70 Righteousness of God Lesson 71 Attendance Lesson 72 Omnipresence of God Lesson 73 Omniscience of God . .

Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness, Updated Edition By Andrew Murray / Bethany When Jesus "made himself nothing ... taking the nature of a servant," He modeled for all believers true humility. Murray calls this "our true nobility" and "the distinguishing feature of discipleship." In twelve brief but powerful chapters, Murray journeys through Scripture and Christ's life, underscoring the utmost need for humility---as opposed to pride---in the Christian's life. With insightful, penetrating clarity, Murray calls all Christians to turn from pride, empty themselves, and study the character of Christ to be filled with His grace. Often called the best work on humility ever written, this edition has been edited for today's reader.

Nurturing a Heart of Humility: A Woman After God's Own Heart Series, Mary By Elizabeth George / Harvest House Publishers Mary, the mother of Jesus, lived in humble obedience to the will of her heavenly Father. From the angel Gabriel's announcement of God's plan for her, through the adversities presented by Christ's work on earth, Mary exhibited both courage and humility. In this study, women will walk beside Mary the teenager...the wife...the mother...the widow...the church member. Women of all ages will discover how to: sustain a humble spirit with overflowing prayer; hold God's assurances deep within; and walk humbly through good times and bad with a heart fixed on God.