A proper perspective of oneself in light of God’s majesty and grace.
Humility: Seeing Ourselves in the Light of God’s Majesty and Grace
Humility is not self-hatred, timidity, or passivity. Biblically, humility is a clear-eyed, Spirit-given understanding of who God is, who we are in relation to Him, and who we are in Christ by His grace. True humility produces bold faith, not spiritual paralysis. It is the doorway to grace, authority, and power in the Holy Spirit.
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5)
This is not a suggestion; it is a spiritual law. If we want more grace, more power, more of God’s active working in our lives, we must walk in humility.
1. The Biblical Definition of Humility
Key Hebrew and Greek Terms
Old Testament (Hebrew)
Several words are used for humility:
Used of Moses: “Now the man Moses was very humble (ʿānāw), more than all men who were on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3).
kana (כָּנַע) – to be brought low, subdued, to humble oneself.
“If My people who are called by My name will humble (kana) themselves…” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
These words carry the sense of being low before God, dependent, yielded, and often tested through affliction.
New Testament (Greek)
tapeinos (ταπεινός) – lowly, not high, not exalted; of low degree or status.
tapeinoō (ταπεινόω) – to humble, to make low, to bring down one’s pride.
tapeinophrosynē (ταπεινοφροσύνη) – humility of mind, lowliness of mind (Philippians 2:3; Colossians 3:12).
Humility in the New Testament is primarily an attitude of the mind and heart: seeing ourselves accurately before God and others.
A Working Biblical Definition
Putting these together:
Humility is the Spirit-enabled attitude of lowliness and dependence before God, in which we submit to His will, trust His grace, and refuse to exalt ourselves, so that Christ may be exalted in and through us.
Notice:
It is Spirit-enabled – not natural, but produced by God’s work in us.
It involves dependence – we lean on His wisdom, not our own (Proverbs 3:5–6).
It includes submission – we yield our will to His (James 4:7).
It rejects self-exaltation – we choose God’s glory over our own (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Humility is not thinking “I am nothing” in a self-destructive way; it is thinking, “Apart from Him I can do nothing” (John 15:5), and “In Him I can do all things” (Philippians 4:13).
2. Old Testament Foundation: Humility in the Law, Prophets, and History
1. The Law: Humility as Covenant Posture
From the beginning, God required a humble heart:
Deuteronomy 8:2–3 – God led Israel in the wilderness “to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart.” The wilderness was God’s school of humility: teaching them dependence on His word and provision (manna).
Deuteronomy 10:12–13 – “What does the LORD your God require of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him…?” Reverent fear and obedience are expressions of humility.
The Law consistently warns that pride leads to forgetting God (Deuteronomy 8:11–14). Humility keeps God central.
2. The Historical Books: Humility and Exaltation
God’s dealings with Israel’s leaders reveal a pattern:
Moses – Called “very humble” (Numbers 12:3). He resisted self-promotion, refused Egypt’s glory (Hebrews 11:24–26), and depended on God’s presence (Exodus 33:15–16). God entrusted him with extraordinary authority and miracles.
David – Though anointed king, he refused to seize the throne by force. He said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD?” (2 Samuel 7:18). His humility positioned him for a lasting covenant.
Hezekiah and Josiah – When confronted with God’s word, they humbled themselves, tore their clothes, and sought the Lord (2 Chronicles 32:26; 34:27). Judgment was delayed and mercy released because of humility.
Nebuchadnezzar (a Gentile king) – God humbled him until he acknowledged heaven rules (Daniel 4:37). Pride brought him low; humility restored him.
A key principle emerges:
“For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the humble with salvation.” (Psalm 149:4)
3. The Prophets: Humility as the Path to Revival
The prophets repeatedly call God’s people to humble themselves:
2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face… then I will hear from heaven…” Humility is the first step to national healing.
Isaiah 57:15 – God dwells “with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble.” Humility is the atmosphere of revival.
Micah 6:8 – “What does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Humility is not optional; it is the required posture of those who walk with God.
3. The Fulfillment in Christ: Jesus, the Perfect Model of Humility
Jesus is the ultimate revelation of humility. He is God the Son, yet He chose the lowest place.
1. The Mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5–11)
Paul gives the classic description:
“Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant…” (vv. 6–7).
Key points:
He did not cling to His rights as God.
He emptied Himself (not of deity, but of privilege and independent use of power).
He took the form of a servant.
He humbled Himself to the point of death, even the shameful death of the cross.
Result:
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him…” (v. 9).
In Jesus, we see the spiritual law: voluntary humility leads to God’s exaltation.
2. Jesus’ Lifestyle of Humility
Birth and upbringing – Born in a manger (Luke 2:7), raised in Nazareth (a despised place, John 1:46).
Dependence on the Father – “The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do” (John 5:19). This is perfect humility: complete dependence, zero self-initiative outside the Father’s will.
Servant leadership – He washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:3–5). Notice the sequence: “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands… rose from supper and laid aside His garments…” (v. 3–4). Knowing His authority, He chose the lowest task. True authority produces deeper humility, not arrogance.
Gentleness and lowliness – “I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). The One with all power describes His heart as lowly.
3. The Cross: Ultimate Humility, Ultimate Glory
At the cross, Jesus embraced:
Shame
Misunderstanding
Rejection
Weakness in the eyes of the world
He “endured the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2). In that place of apparent defeat, God’s power and wisdom were revealed (1 Corinthians 1:18–25).
Humility, in Christ, is not weakness; it is the chosen path of divine power and victory.
4. The Power for Today: Humility and the Holy Spirit
This is where many Charismatic believers stumble: we desire power, gifts, and miracles, but sometimes neglect the foundation of humility. Yet Scripture is clear:
“He gives more grace… God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
If we want more grace, we must go lower.
1. Humility Attracts the Presence and Power of the Spirit
Isaiah 66:2 – “On this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.”
God’s “look” is His favorable attention. The humble become targets of His presence.
Acts 5:32 – The Holy Spirit is given “to those who obey Him.” Obedience is humility in action.
The Spirit is not given to endorse our pride, but to exalt Jesus. When we humble ourselves, we align with the Spirit’s purpose.
2. Humility and Spiritual Authority
Many want authority over sickness, demons, and circumstances. Scripture shows the pathway:
James 4:7 – “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Notice the order:
Submit (humility),
Resist (exercise authority),
The devil flees (manifested victory).
Submission to God is the root; authority over the devil is the fruit.
Matthew 8:8–10 – The centurion understood authority and said, “I am not worthy that You should come under my roof.” Jesus marveled at his faith. His humility and understanding of authority released great faith and a powerful miracle.
Humility does not diminish authority; it grounds it.
3. Humility and the Gifts of the Spirit
The Corinthian church flowed in many gifts (1 Corinthians 1:7), yet they were carnal, proud, and divided. Paul’s correction:
Reminds them that all gifts are from God (1 Corinthians 4:7).
Emphasizes that love (which “does not parade itself, is not puffed up,” 1 Corinthians 13:4) is greater than all gifts.
Calls them to edification of others, not self-display (1 Corinthians 14:12).
The Holy Spirit delights to pour out gifts where:
Jesus is central, not personalities.
There is a willingness to be corrected.
There is a heart to serve, not to be seen.
4. Humility and Faith for Miracles
Humility and faith are not opposites; they are partners.
The Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:24–30) accepted Jesus’ hard saying, calling herself a “little dog,” yet persisted. Jesus said, “O woman, great is your faith!” (Matthew 15:28). Her humility did not weaken her faith; it strengthened it.
Childlike faith (Matthew 18:3–4) is linked to humility: “Whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Humility says:
“I cannot, but He can.”
“I do not deserve, but He is gracious.”
“I am weak, but His power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
This posture opens the door to bold requests, persistent prayer, and expectation of God’s intervention.
5. Humility and Revival
Every genuine move of God has been marked by:
Deep conviction of sin,
Confession and repentance,
Brokenness and contrition,
A renewed fear of the Lord.
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)
If we want God to “lift up” His church in power, visibility, and influence, we must first go down in repentance, brokenness, and yieldedness.
5. Practical Application: Walking in Humility
Here are five concrete steps to cultivate humility in daily life, while expecting God to move powerfully.
1. Regularly Acknowledge Your Dependence on God
Make it a habit to say (and mean):
“Lord, apart from You I can do nothing” (John 15:5).
“Teach me to do Your will” (Psalm 143:10).
Practical actions:
Begin each day by consciously yielding your plans to Him.
Before ministry, decisions, or conversations, quietly ask for His wisdom and strength.
This keeps your heart in a posture of dependence, which invites the Spirit’s help.
2. Embrace the Word as Final Authority
Humility “trembles” at God’s word (Isaiah 66:2). It does not argue with Scripture; it submits to it.
Practical actions:
When Scripture confronts your opinion, change your opinion.
When you receive correction from the Word, respond with repentance, not excuses.
Ask the Holy Spirit: “Show me where I am resisting Your word.”
This positions you for greater revelation and anointing, because God entrusts more light to those who obey the light they have.
3. Choose the Low Place in Relationships
Humility is tested in how we treat others.
Practical actions:
Serve in hidden ways – do tasks that no one sees or applauds.
Prefer others – “in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3).
Be quick to repent and reconcile – when you are wrong, say so plainly; when you are right, avoid gloating.
This disarms pride and creates an atmosphere where the Spirit is pleased to dwell.
4. Guard Your Heart Against Spiritual Pride
Spiritual experiences, revelations, and gifts can become a trap if not handled humbly.
Practical actions:
Regularly confess: “Everything I have is by grace” (1 Corinthians 4:7).
Refuse to compare your ministry, anointing, or results with others.
Invite trusted, mature believers to speak into your life and welcome correction.
Where there is teachability, there is safety and growth in the Spirit.
5. Combine Humility with Bold Faith
Do not confuse humility with unbelief or passivity. Humility agrees with God’s word about your weakness and about His power in you.
Practical actions:
Boldly lay hands on the sick (Mark 16:17–18), while inwardly acknowledging, “Lord, You are the Healer.”
Command demons to leave in Jesus’ name (Luke 10:19), while remembering that your authority is delegated, not inherent.
Pray big prayers, not because you are great, but because He is great.
Humility does not say, “God won’t use me.” It says, “God can use even me, because He is gracious.”
6. Key Scriptures on Humility (with Brief Commentary)
James 4:6–10
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble… Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
This passage links humility with submission, repentance, and drawing near to God. It shows that humility is something we must choose (“humble yourselves”), and God responds by lifting us.
1 Peter 5:5–7
“Be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him…”
Humility is like a garment we put on. Casting our cares on Him is an expression of humility: we admit we cannot carry them ourselves.
Philippians 2:3–11
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…”
This is both a command (“let this mind be in you”) and a pattern (Christ’s self-emptying and subsequent exaltation). It shows that humility is primarily a matter of the mindset we adopt.
Micah 6:8
“What does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Humility is not occasional; it is a way of walking – a lifestyle. It is central to what God “requires.”
Isaiah 57:15
“I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble…”
The high and holy God chooses to dwell with the humble. Humility is the environment of revival and renewal.
Matthew 11:28–29
“Learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Jesus invites us to learn His humility. Humility is not only a virtue; it is a pathway to rest and inner peace.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face…”
National healing and corporate revival begin with God’s people humbling themselves. This remains a key promise for any generation seeking a move of God.
Closing Exhortation
Humility is not a side issue; it is a kingdom law. It is the soil in which faith, love, power, and true authority grow. The more clearly we see God’s majesty and grace, the more naturally we will bow low in worship, dependence, and obedience.
Ask the Holy Spirit:
“Show me where pride is hiding in my life.”
“Teach me the humility of Jesus.”
“Make me a vessel You can trust with Your power.”
As you choose the low place before God, expect Him to pour out greater grace, deeper intimacy, and stronger anointing—for His glory alone.