It’s hard to pick just a few Bible verses about humbleness. Humility is a prevalent theme throughout the Bible and is often revisited and developed by certain authors.
Humility Is Necessary for Us to Do God’s Will
Humility means accepting that we don’t have all the answers but God does. Only then can we do God’s will instead of our own.
God needs humble people to do His work. God explains this through the prophet Isaiah:
“This is the man to whom I will look, to him who is humble and contrite in spirit.”
Isaiah 66:2
Who Is Humble?
The first time the adjective is used in the Bible is in reference to one of the Bible’s greatest heroes. We are told, simply:
- Morris, Robert (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
“Moses was a very humble man.”
Numbers 12:3
This passage appears in the book of Numbers after Moses, who was already an influential character in Egypt, parted the Red Sea. Moses is a very humble man because he understands that he did not do these things—God did these things through him.
Who Can Be Humble?
Most of the Bible verses about humbleness talk about people being humble or encourage us to humble ourselves. Anyone can achieve humility, even God. We are told:
“Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient even unto death.”
Philippians 2:8
This is the opposite of what we saw with Moses, who was humble and became part of God’s plan. Jesus humbled Himself in active participation with God’s plan.
Humble Yourselves
Few of us are called to a role like that of Moses. None of us are called to a role like that of Jesus. But, we all have a role in God’s plan, and living that out requires humility.
The Hebrews “humbled themselves in prayer” (2 Chronicles 7:14), and the apostles tell us, “Humble yourselves” (James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6). There are other ways to become humble, but God appreciates it when we choose to humble ourselves.
“Whoever Humbles Himself…”
Jesus tells us in the Gospels that “whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 18:4, 23:12, Luke 14:11, 18:14). This echoes the actions of Jesus described in Philippians above.
Jesus humbled Himself and was exalted to sit with God in paradise. So, too, Jesus promises us that humbling ourselves in order to follow God’s will results in our own reward.
God Humbles
If God needs us, God will humble us. We are told that God “humbles and He exalts” (1 Samuel 2:7).
We are also told that He “humbles those who dwell on high” (Isaiah 26:5). Those people who achieve much and credit themselves rather than God are those whom God must humble.
Grace to the Humble
The Bible tells us on three separate occasions that “God gives grace to the humble” (Proverbs 3:34, 1 Peter 5:5, James 4:6). The Bible uses the word “grace” to mean different things, and at least two apply here.
Grace is the ability to understand God’s will for us. This is only possible when we put our own will aside. It also means salvation, which can only be achieved by acting in accordance with God’s will.
The Path of the Humble
The path of humility is laid out for us, particularly through Psalms. There, we see the redemption of the author and his deepening relationships with God.
Throughout the Psalms, humility is mentioned three times. First, God saves the humble (18:27), then God guides the humble in what is right (25:9). Finally, God crowns the humble with salvation (149:4).
Humility and Other Virtues
Humility exists with and through other virtues. Twice, humility is mentioned specifically in relation to gentleness.
In Mathew, Jesus again offers an example, saying, “learn from me; for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (11:29). We are similarly encouraged in Ephesians to “be completely humble and gentle” (4:9).
Bible Verses about Humbleness
Out of all of the key topics in scripture, Bible verses about humbleness may share the most integration. Through the Old Testament and the New Testament, the story is clear: humility allows us to follow God’s will, and that allows us to find peace in this life and the next.
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