ByWhat comes to mind when you hear the word “humility”? To me, it is a whole lot, especially when it comes to God lifting any of His servants to higher stages of impact. Think about it when the Bible says in James 4:6 that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Really? There are huge benefits to staying humble in the Lord; today, I want to discuss that. Let’s dive in.
Never justify yourself before God.
Do you remember the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14? Jesus said that parable to humble those who were confident in their own righteousness (those who refused to accept that they were unclean before the Lord despite their forceful claim of obeying the law). Both the Pharisee and the tax collector went to God to pray. Here’s what happened.
[11] The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ [13] “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ – Luke 18:11-13 (NIV)
The Pharisee went on justifying Himself before God, but the tax collector humbled himself and accepted that he was a sinner. Here’s what Jesus said about the two people after such action.
“I tell you that this man (the tax collector), rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – [Luke 18:14 (NIV) Words in bracket mine]
See that? Jesus described what the tax collector did as an act of humility. In those days, God didn’t live in anybody. But today, the Holy Spirit is very much around, even in each believer. Since that is the reality, humbling yourself before God is basically about being careful to live a holy life regardless of where you are. Why? Because God is there. You can be a person millions of people hail for your impact. But God is not a respecter of persons (see Acts 10:34). Before Him, you are a nobody. Don’t ever go before God as a proud fellow. Instead, go to Him as you are, not what people say you are.
Drop your titles aside and serve God wholeheartedly.
One thing the Pharisee did was that he was too conscious of his position in the house of God and what he did to sustain himself there rather than the privilege of serving the Almighty. For the purposes of administration, many ministries and churches give portfolios to their workers. It is good, and I support it. But because we’re all equal children of God, it is erroneous to think of yourself too highly when you are serving the Lord. Don’t do that.
Cast all your care up to the Lord.
The last thing to discuss in this article is how you must behave when things worry you. Like the tax collector who was plain before God, learn to tell God your problems. Cast everything that bothers you to Him, and He will be willing to comfort you and solve the issues for you. When you do that, the Bible says in 1 Peter 5:6-7 that it is an act of humility.
You are a blessing!
