The Good Word of Humility
by Yvonne Teal
As a child, my brothers and I were taught to respect our elders, meaning anyone my parents age or older. Showing respect to our elders became a natural act or behavior for us. We addressed my parents and grandparents, uncles and aunts, their friends, teachers, pastors, and others by saying “Yes Sir” and “Yes Ma’am.” My brothers and I were taught to open doors and give up our seat for an older woman and man. Our grandparents smiled when we held their hands as they walked up or down the stairs, preventing them from falling. On a few occasions we would forget, and my parents would correct us immediately. My parents’ correction was not to embarrass my brothers and I, but to remind us of the importance of being respectful, humble, appreciative, and gracious.
When we think of the word humility the first thought or feeling that comes to some people is embarrassment. Webster’s dictionary states “humility is the quality of being humble.” The definition for humble, then, is “reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission.” (See below for definition links.) Paul gave advice on how Christians should strive to be more like Christ. Paul states “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you...” (Colossians 3:12-13 NLT).
Many times, we allow other people’s perception and opinion of us to control our feelings, causing pride and ego. Humility is believing whose we are and who we are is more important than what the world says about us. Paul writes to the Romans “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another” (Romans 12:10 KJV). The world has people in need, such as homeless people desiring shelter, hungry children seeking food to survive, and the lonely desiring love. We must be careful not to question others’ situation but have a heart of understanding and be ready to serve those in need. Over the past few years, the world has suffered due to COVID, resulting in businesses closing, high unemployment, and parents not able to provide for their kids. In all that we do for others, we want to remain humble. God is pleased with us when we demonstrate humility in our daily life. Serving others is the ultimate example of humility. Paul tells the Philippians, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had” (Philippians 2:3-5 NLT).
Jesus gave lessons and examples of humility by demonstration, such as washing his disciples’ feet at the last supper. Jesus knew His time had come to say goodbye to His disciples, so in showing love He washed and dried their feet. Simon Peter did not understand why Jesus performed such thing, but Jesus said “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me. … Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them” (John 13:8, 12-17 NLT).
My siblings and I were taught to respect our elders. In Scripture, Peter gives God’s instructions to both elders and young men stating “... you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ So, humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor” (1 Peter 5: 5-6 NLT emphasis added).
As we pray daily to be more like Jesus Christ, to do His will, let us have the posture of humility.
Definitions:
Humility https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humility
Humble https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humble
