Jesus on Humility

The Poor in Spirit
Jesus not only strongly impressed his disciples with the need for humility, but was himself its supreme example. He described himself as meek and lowly in heart (Matthew 11:19). The first of the beatitudes was to “the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3), and it was “the meek” who should “inherit the earth.”

Who is greater?
Humility, according to Jesus, is the way to true greatness: he who should “humble himself as this little child” should be “the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”; “Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted (Matthew 18:4, 23:12; Luke 14:11)."

Servant of Servants
Jesus himself set a touching example of humility in his washing of the disciples’ feet (John. 13:1-ff). Paul therefore makes an earnest appeal to Christians (Philippians 2:1-ff) that they should cherish and manifest the spirit of their Lord’s humility, who humbled himself to the point of death on the cross.

What Humility Is and Is Not

Graces of the Soul

Humility, according to Unger’s Bible Dictionary, is an inwrought grace of the soul that allows one to think of himself no more highly than he ought to think (Ephesians. 4:1-2; Colossians 3:12-13; Romans 12:3). The exercise of humility is first and foremost toward God (Matthew 11:29; James 1:21).

Humility- not Self-depreciation
Humility requires us to feel that in God’s sight we have no merit and to in honor prefer others to ourselves (Romans 12: 10; Proverbs 15:33.) Humility does not demand undue self-depreciation but rather humbleness of self-estimation and freedom from pride.

What About Our Enemies?
Humility must also be expressed toward those who wrong us, in order that their insults and wrongdoing might be used by God for our benefit (Acts 20:18-21). Humility is commanded by God (Psalms 25:9; Colossians3:12; James 4:6, 10) and is essential to discipleship under Christ (Matthew 18:3-4).