To be humble

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

TO BE HUMBLE

Prov 18:12-13

12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

13 He who answers before listening — that is his folly and his shame.

NIV

Pride is certainly not the desired trait or attitude a believer in Jesus Christ should have. What seems to be the theme here is when a man is prideful he believes more in himself than in God. We are told to humble ourselves before the Lord.

James 4:9-10

 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

NIV

The prideful man cannot humble himself before God and therefor he will not be lifted up but will experience the downfall. This might well have a significate meaning in the sense that those who are lifted up are those who will raise in the air to meet our Lord and be with him for all eternity. Those who refuse to accept Jesus, those who have pride in their hearts, believing in their own abilities, will be cast down to everlasting perish. Although this might be the central theme of these two sayings, which we will connect, it is also possible the humble can have a level of prideful attitudes. We can think more highly of ourselves then we ought to. We can think how we are so knowledgeable in the scriptures, or how important we are in the body of Christ. This kind of thinking would fly in the face of preferring others over ourselves, or the concept of being a servant. But let us see the connection between those who have a prideful heart and a quick tongue. Again it is the man who gives his answer before hearing all the facts is the man who believes in his heart he has all the facts. This could be applied to those who refuse to listen to all the gospel message, and quickly refuse to listen, stating they don’t believe all that stuff. Without hearing all the information how can any intelligent person make a qualified choice or decision? It comes back to the idea of being humble rather than prideful.

1 Peter 5:5

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble ."  

NIV

Those who have a prideful heart oppose God and therefor he opposes them. But if we humble ourselves, admitting we are weak, unable to do anything without him; first, not being able to save ourselves, secondly, not being able to sustain ourselves and thirdly not being about to serve him or others without the help of the Spirit, then he gives us grace. It is interesting that Peter is quoting Solomon.

Prov 3:34

34 He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble

NIV

This word used for grace in the Old Testament carries the meaning of graciousness, kindness or favor. God shows favor to those who humble themselves to his mighty hand.

1 Peter 5:6-7

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

NIV

The prideful heart cannot do this, it refuses to accept the fact it is not able to do for itself, yet in doing so it is filled with anxiety. The prideful heart gives answers before it hears all the facts, it has no room for more than it has. This also applies to believers. When we think we have all the answers we leave no room for growth. The scriptures are profitable for correction, rebuking, teaching and training us in righteousness. It is when we are humble, understanding God has more for us to understand, more for us to learn, more for us to grow in our relationship with him, he lifts us up, he gives us more insight, more abilities, more ways in which we can serve him. Just as in prayer, it is far better to listen then to speak. It is also better when speaking to use few words, for it is the prideful who enjoy the sound of their own voice. Let us listen, ponder, reflect, and then humbly speak. This applies both to our prayer time with God and our conversation time with men