by Alan Langstaff

In our last Langstaff Letter, we looked at “What do you think of Trump right now?” In the letter, we touched on “humility,” and in this Langstaff Letter, we want to take it a bit further by looking at this issue of Humility – what is it and how do you develop it?

Let us first note the key Scripture:
“Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:1-10)

Charles Spurgeon, the great English minister, once declared, “Every Christian has a choice. Between being humble or being humbled.” It reminds of the two dimensions – “humility” or “pride.”

Humility is defined as “a personal quality in which an individual shows dependence on God and respect for other persons.”

I came across an article over 20 years ago by a friend, Phil Buechler. Its truth still abides today.

“The Bible describes humility as an attitude that trusts the Lord and prefers others over oneself. Humility is a choice not an emotion. It is a decision to submit to the authority of God’s word and serve the needs of others. It has been well said that you know you are a servant when people treat you like one. Humility passes that test.

In America, some high-profile leaders have ostentatious lifestyles. Yes, God’s blessings include prosperity. But it is for the purpose of every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). Boasting about the things one has received does little to equip the saints, and sends the wrong message as to why God blesses us. We are blessed to bless others. There is nothing wrong with planes, cars, houses or other possessions. It is the boasting that is wrong. These are not ends in themselves, but rather are means to a higher end – getting the gospel to the people.

In South America, Asia, wherever the Holy Spirit is moving in incredible power, leaders and believers alike are not captivated by “things.” They are giving their all to proclaim and prosper the gospel.”

Recently, as I was cleaning the house and throwing away a lot of rubbish, I came upon this sheet of Scriptures related to humility. I don’t know who first wrote it, but here it is: 

“Evidences of Humility

Teachable and receptive spirit
(James 1:19-21)

Appreciation for corrective input
(Job 6:24; Proverbs 12:1)

Desire to help make others successful
(Philippians 2:3)

Willingness to serve unnoticed
(Matthew 25:21)

Willingness to be inconvenienced by others’ needs
(Philippians 2:3-4)

Eagerness to give of your time and resources to benefit others
(2 Corinthians 9:6-11)

Desire to see others honored and recognized
(Luke 14:10; Romans 12:10, 13:7)

Respectfulness and submission to authority
(Hebrews 13:17; Ephesians 5:22-24; Romans 13:1-5; Ephesians 6:1-3)

Flexibility; no possessiveness with your belongings, ideas, and time
(Philippians 2:3-11; Luke 12:15)

Inspired rather than threatened by others’ gifts and strengths
(1 Corinthians 12:20-26)

Commitment to encouraging others
(Hebrews 3:13)

Deepening dependency on God
(Psalm 42:1-3; 63:1-2)

Not striving for influence, recognition or prominence for yourself, husband, or children
(Psalm 75:6-7)

Recognition and acceptance of personal limitations
(Psalm 131:1)

Resistance to unhealthy comparisons with others
(2 Corinthians 10:12)

Willingness to divulge personal weaknesses, sins, insecurities, and failures
(James 5:16; 1 John 1:6-7)“

JESUS & HUMILITY

Jesus gives us the ultimate example of humility, and we, too, must learn to walk in humility. Jesus was humble.

Just think for a moment. He was the begotten Son of the Father and shared glory with Him and every privilege of being God, and laid aside those privileges to become a man and live amongst us and eventually die for us on the cross. Jesus “is the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15 NKJV) and yet He became the servant of all. He emptied Himself of His reputation and became a man. See Isaiah 53, and you see a picture of a suffering servant.

We see this humility so often in the stories in the Bible. Just look at one – Jesus washing the feet of the disciples at the Last Supper. 

Because He was willing to be humble and even die for us, Philippians states “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow …and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (2:9-11 NKJV)

AN EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY

One of the influencers that led me into the ministry was Peter Marshall.

His wife, Catherine, wrote the story of his life in the best-selling book “A Man Called Peter.” By the time of this incident, he was the Pastor of a prestigious church in Washington, D.C., as well as the chaplain to the U.S. Senate in Congress. This little incident speaks about humility.

“Nothing reveals quite so clearly Peter Marshall’s own clear-eyed humility about himself as a little incident which took place soon after his heart attack. In the fall of 1946, when he had resumed work again, a minister friend from Hagerstown, Maryland, dropped in on him at the church office.
“Well, Peter,” the friend asked, “I’m curious to know something. What did you learn during your illness?”
“Do you really want to know?” Peter answered promptly. “I learned that the Kingdom of God goes on without Peter Marshall.”

CLOSING THOUGHT

Humility is not easily obtained. Like so many other graces, it takes time and effort to see it develop in our lives. It was seen in the life and ministry of Jesus and it needs to be seen in ours too.