Humility Teachability      To be teachable is a life long lesson. As believers, we learn to correctly judge ourselves through the Word of God. We admit our mistakes and make changes where they are needed. We don’t hide our talents and virtues nor do we boast and brag. Judge Ourselves and Make Changes Where Needed

Use Our Talents and Virtues Without Boasting and Bragging

“Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.” Galatians 6:4 “The wise, sensible heart [mind] seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly [a foolish act or idea].” Proverbs 15:14

Arrogance Closed Mind      When our minds are closed, we neglect Bible doctrine. God is not important even though He gave us all we have and continues to give us what we need. We don’t admit our mistakes. To us, our way is the right way. We’re on our agenda, not God’s agenda.

“There is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory [greatness, honor] of God…” Romans 3:23 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 “Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.” Psalm 40:4 “The wise [humble, teachable] will inherit [receive] honor, but fools get disgrace.” Proverbs 3:35

Humility Happy or Content      When we have humility, we are happy with whom God made us to be.

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect [meaning, results].” 1 Corinthians 15:10

Arrogance Unhappy or Malcontent      When we are arrogant, we are not happy with whom God made us to be. We want to be better looking, smarter, richer, better at sports, better, better, better!

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.” 1Peter 5:6-7

Humility Respect Authority Obey      When we recognize, respect, and obey legitimate authority, we are humble. Legitimate authority is God’s authority and the authority He gives to the people in charge of us. Some of these people are our parents, our teachers, firemen, and policemen. When we are under the authority of another person, we don’t feel inferior to them [less than] or threatened by them. We follow their directions. We take responsibility for our actions! This is humility!

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ – which is the first commandment with a promise – ‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’ ” Ephesians 6:1-3 “The fear [respect] of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” Proverbs 15:33 “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.” Romans 14:12-133

Arrogance Disrespect Authority Disobey      When we disobey those in charge, we are arrogant. We want to be the ones in charge and do things our way. For example, Mom tells me to study for my test. I don’t want to, so I go to my room and pretend that I’m studying when I’m really playing a game. Woops! Bad consequences!

“But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they put Your law behind their backs.” Nehemiah 9:26 “You warned them to return to Your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands.” Nehemiah 9:29

Humility Gratitude Thankfulness      We show our gratitude to God and people when we are humble. We know that everything that we have comes from God. God uses people to help us sometimes. He uses us to help others, and with humility we can have a good attitude toward helping them.

“For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?” 1 Corinthians 4:7 “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4

Arrogance Ungrateful Selfish      When we are arrogant, we expect God to do things for us in our timing. We also expect people to do things for us in our timing. We become selfish and ungrateful. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit [too high of an opinion of yourself], but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” [This does not mean that everyone is more talented or better than you, but that Christian love gives others preferential (chose them first) treatment.] Philippians 2:3

Humility Follows God’s Plan      God can only give blessing and deal graciously (with kindness) with those who have true humility. Humility gives us capacity, or makes us able to receive God’s blessings. Under humility, success belongs to God, and happiness belongs to the believer who lives in the plan of God. The amount of happiness depends on how much time is spent in God’s plan. So, if you want to be really happy or content, follow God’s plan! “…the earth is full of His unfailing love.” Psalm 33:5 “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart [mind] through all generations.” Psalm 33:11

Arrogance Follows Own Plan       The arrogant believer tries to do things through his own ability according to his own rules. Arrogance uses everything in life to promote (advance) self. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking [selfish]…” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 “But for those who are self-seeking [selfish] and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath [discipline] and anger.” Romans 2:8

Humility Glorifies God      Learning God’s Word and making it a part of our lives gives us the ability to live the Christian life, and results in Christian service (works or duties). Christian service done using the power God gives us praises God, or glorifies God! “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” (Peace with God is received by faith in Jesus Christ.) Luke 2:14 “Praise be to His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.” Psalm 72:19

Arrogance Glorifies Self      Christian service done in the cosmic system, or Satan’s plan, glorifies self. The issue is not what you do, but whose system you use, God’s or Satan’s. The cosmic system can offer power, human power. It can offer that which we think we want. But God’s plan goes far beyond what you can even dream. Let’s not get stuck in trying to glorify ourselves! “Then Joshua said to Achan, ‘My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and give Him the praise.’” Joshua 7:19

“…All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because ‘God opposes the proud [arrogant] but gives grace to the humble.’” 1 Peter 5:5

References used:           Robert R.McLaughlin Bible Ministries   www.gbible.org           Tree of Life: 5-24-98, 5-31-98

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