Humility is a central virtue in the Christian life, reflecting the character of Christ and positioning us to walk in obedience to God. In this study, we will explore what humility is, the biblical words and meanings associated with it, the command to humble ourselves before the Lord, and the dangers of false humility as warned in Scripture.
What Is Humility?
Humility is the recognition of our dependence on God and a proper understanding of our place before Him. It is not self-deprecation but rather an honest view of ourselves in light of God’s greatness and grace.
Philippians 2:3-4 provides a beautiful definition: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Humility flows from acknowledging that every good thing we have comes from God (James 1:17) and that apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Biblical Words for Humility
The Bible uses several words to convey the concept of humility:
Hebrew Words
ʿānāw(עָנָו): Often translated as “meek” or “humble,” this word emphasizes a spirit of submission to God, as seen in Numbers 12:3, where Moses is described as “very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.”
kānā(כָּנַע): Meaning “to humble” or “to be subdued,” this word is frequently used in contexts where people humble themselves before God, such as 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 I will hear from heaven.”
Greek Words
tapeinóō(ταπεινόω): This word means “to make low” or “to humble” and is used in James 4:10: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
tapeinophrosýnē(ταπεινοφροσύνη): Translated as “humility of mind,” it is used in Colossians 3:12: “Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.”
Humbling Ourselves Before the Lord
The Bible repeatedly calls believers to humble themselves before God, recognizing His authority and our dependence on Him.
James 4:6-10: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
Here, humility involves repentance, submission, and a willingness to draw near to God. It is an acknowledgment of our sinfulness and a cry for His mercy.
1 Peter 5:6-7: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
This passage highlights that humility includes trusting God with our concerns and submitting to His timing and will.
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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Humbling ourselves before God is tied to prayer, repentance, and a genuine seeking of His presence.
The Dangers of False Humility
False humility is an outward display of humility that lacks genuine submission to God. It is often rooted in pride, self-righteousness, or an attempt to gain the approval of others.
Warnings Against False Humility
Colossians 2:18-23: Paul warns against those who practice “false humility” in the guise of religious observance: “Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind… These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.”
False humility is marked by outward acts of piety without genuine heart transformation.
Matthew 6:1-6: Jesus warns against doing good deeds to be seen by others: “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
True humility is not about self-promotion or self-abasement but about glorifying God and serving others out of love.
It aligns with Micah 6:8: “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?”
My Final Thoughts
Humility is the foundation of a life that pleases God. It is the recognition that we are utterly dependent on His grace and power. It calls us to lay aside pride, submit to His will, and serve others with love and sincerity. In humbling ourselves, we experience His grace and exaltation in His perfect time.
The warnings against false humility remind us to examine our motives. Are we genuinely seeking to honor God, or are we striving for human recognition? True humility flows from a heart transformed by the gospel, one that mirrors the example of Jesus Christ, who “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).
As we walk in humility, we reflect Christ’s character, draw closer to God, and become vessels of His love and grace in a broken world.
