Joy in Unity: Part 3 – Unity in Humility

Prayer:  Lord, I have given up my pride and turned away from my arrogance.  I am not concerned with great matters or with subjects too difficult for me.  Instead, I am content and at peace. As a child lies quietly in its mother's arms, so my heart is quiet within me (Psalm 131:1-2 GNT).

Help me, oh Lord, to be humble before you and all with whom I have contact this day.  Hear my prayer and forgive me for the times when arrogance and pride have ruled my speech and attitude.  I know that it is wrong to be vain.  Yet I express smugness and insolence to my friends and associates regularly.  Give me a pure heart and love for all people, no matter how they treat me.  Amen

Main Scripture:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others (Philippians 2:3-4).

Associated Scriptures:

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2).

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited (Romans 12:16).

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:3-4).

Correlative Quotes:

First, never pretend. Be yourself. True humility claims nothing more or less than the truth.  What you see is what you get.  Second, never presume.  The humble man realizes he looks on the outward but God alone sees the heart. He refrains from snap judgments, hasty conclusions, and negative assumptions..[1] – Dallas Willard

People who honor humility don’t think less of themselves, they just think of themselves less.[2] Frank Damazio

Godly Character Includes Humility.  You have probably heard it said that as soon as you think that you’ve attained humility, you’ve lost it. But that’s not true.[3] – Steven J. Cole

Study:

INTRODUCTION

I have joked a few times in my life to close friends, “The thing I’m proudest of is my humility.”  However, every time I say it, even though I am not serious, I get a guilty feeling in the pit of my stomach, and it’s not the hamburger, fries, and coke that did it.  Humility is not something that should be the brunt of a joke.  It is mentioned more than 90 times in the bible and should not to be taken lightly.[4]  James 4:16 (NKJV) says, “But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”

It is in James 4 where it is said that true joy, cooperation, and peace with God can only be found where there is a spirit of humility; unity in humility.  Vs. 6 points out that, “God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.”  Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”  Humility is very important to God and to the believer.James 4 identifies the qualities found in humble Christians.  These seven actions are essential.  We must develop these characteristics in our lives if we are going to be humble Christians.

1. Ask God (vss. 1-3): The humble believer does not covet what others have. God will provide those things that we need.  That does not always include our wants.  In society, today the word want and need have become synonyms.  Many people, including believers, feel that the things they want are absolute necessities.  This was also true of people who called themselves Christians at the time of James.  Placing what we want ahead of what God wants for us is arrogance.
2. Submit to the will of God (vs. 7): Submitting to the Holy Spirit means that we give him control over our lives. Submission for the believer involves letting go of our own wants and needs and allow God to direct us. The Holy Spirit is there to help us know what to pray and to give us guidance in the small as well as large decisions of life.
3. Practice obedience (vs. 8): Practicing obedience is a commandment not a suggestion. We must be obedient and walk in the light that we have been given. 1 John 1:7 teaches us to walk in the light.  Walking in the light provides fellowship with God and with others and we are continually being cleansed from our sin.  Living in the light of God’s word keeps us humble.
4. Humble yourself before God (vss. 9-10): When we recognize the He is God and we are not. When we realize that He is the Master, and we are His servants, we begin the process of becoming humble children. There can only be one boss in our lives and that boss happens to be the one who owns all things.  He is more than we could even want of hope for in a leader.
5. Do not Judge others (vss. 11-12): There is only one Judge and He rules and reigns over Heaven, earth, and the entire universe. He made it all.  He owns it all.  He is the Judge.  Just like Belshazzar, King Nebuchadnezzar’s son in Daniel 5:27, “we have been judged and found lacking.”
6. Yield to the Lord’s will (vss. 13-16): God’s will or plan for our lives is simple but not easy. Why do we make long term plans when we do not know what the future holds?  We are to live for the day.  No one knows whether they will even be alive tomorrow.  We need to live and minister to others as if this were our last day on earth (Matthew 6:34).
7. Look to the needs of others (vs. 17): Humility is looking at other’s needs as more important than our own. When we see all the poverty, heartache, and suffering in this world we must act in ways that ease the pain. Giving assistance to the less fortunate glorifies God in the eyes of others.  James 1:27 tells us that, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Summary Statement:

Genuine humility isn't something we can announce very easily. To claim this virtue is, as a rule, to forfeit it. Humility is the fairest and rarest flower that blooms. Put it on display and instantly it wilts and loses its fragrance.  Humility is not something to be announced. It simply belongs in one's life, in the private journal of one's walk with God, not in a book that looks like a testimony but comes across more like a testimony but comes across more like a "bragimony."[5] – Charles Swindoll

Lesson within the Lesson:

How do I exhibit Humility in my daily life?

What can I do to develop a better attitude of Humility?

What blocks Humility from working and being exhibited in me?

How does humility function in times of uncertainly and stress?[6]

[1] Keep Believing Ministries, Dallas Willard on Humility, keepbelieving.com/articles/dallas-willard-on-humility/

[2] Frank Damazio, Characteristics of Humble People, //blog.frankdamazio.com

/2012/12/characteristics-of-humble-people/#sthash.FaFdKd4o.dpuf

[3] Steven J. Cole, Lesson #51: Godly Leadership Acts 20:17-21, bible.org/seriespage/.

[4] answers.com/Q/How_many_times_is_humility_mentioned_in_the_Bible

[5] Charles Swindoll, Genuine Humility, Insight For Living Ministries, insight.org/resources/devotionals/genuine-humility.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/#sthash.Hi9CILrC.dpuf

[6] Dr. Richard J. Krejcir, The Character of Humility, Into Thy Word © 2007, discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=37101&columnid=4166