What does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love loyalty, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8.

If pride is an improper focus on ourselves that makes us insensitive to God and others, then humility is a proper or accurate view of ourselves.

Humility is a proper, realistic view of ourselves in relation to God (dependent creatures) and others (servant), that allows us to enthusiastically embrace God’s sovereign will (obedience) and focus on serving others’ needs (without thought of our temporal loss or benefit), resulting in deepened intimacy and blessing.

IV. To Develop Christlike Humility

A. Mindset Lk 1:51  He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

We change our heart with a value shift Mk 7:22  "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.

STEP ONE: We must view ourselves as servants of God and others (Phil 2)

We are on this planet for God’s glory and the benefit of others, not the gratification of our unsanctified desires for power, pleasure and possessions.

B. Humility requires an Act of the Will Js 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

1Pt 5:6  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

Choice to clothe Col 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

Humility goes with submission 1Pt 5:5  Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

STEP TWO: We must actively surrender and submit to God in obedience, and submit to others in service

It’s not about us, but about God’s will, revealed in Scripture for us to obey. (1Thess 4)

C.  Humility requires Actions of Submission and Service

Humility requires getting off the throne 2Chr 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.

The humble correct their mistakes Pr 6:3  So do this, my son, and deliver yourself; …Go and humble yourself; Plead with your friend.

Don’t set the record straight Titus 3:2  to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

Real humility is victorious against the flesh because of true submission and dependence on God Col 2:18  Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility…intruding into things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 23  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.

STEP THREE: When tempted to crawl back onto the throne of our lives, see Steps one and two.

Praying for our needs deepens our dependence on God. Praying for others’ benefit/blessings deepens our humility

Js 4:6  But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

1 John 2:16  For all that is in the world----the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life----is not of the Father but is of the world.

When we choose to serve we can’t complain about consequences He permits. Our trust must be in God, not His protection

Acts 20:19  "serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;

2Tim 2:25  in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth

With whom do we hang? Those who boost our frail worth, or those whose worth we can build? Rom 12:16  Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What words or images do you associate with “humility”?  Who is someone you know who is humble?  What qualities make him/her humble?

2. Where are you being called to be obedient in your life? What makes it hard to be obedient, to listen and respond?

3. What are the aspects of your life that keep you from deeper humility?  How will you work on changing those aspects of yourself?

4. How would you describe your purpose in life? What do your actions of the past week reveal about your commitment to that purpose?

5. How many of our words are calculated to boost our worth and value in the eyes of others, rather than edifying them or glorifying God?