DOWN UNDER III

Helps to Humility

James 4:6

⁶ But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

I.                   POWER OF HUMILITY

1.     It’s the Highest Rank in the Kingdom

Matthew 18:4

⁴ Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

2.     It’s the Foundational Virtue

3.     It’s what God looks for above all else

Isaiah 66:1-2

Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is My throne, And the earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? ² For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.

           

4.     It’s the pathway to grace

James 4:6

                        God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble

5.     It’s the key to peace

Psalm 131:1-3

¹ Lord, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters,

Nor with things too profound for me. ² Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.

II.               STEPS TOWARD HUMILITY

1.     Obeying biblical lines of authority.

a.     Citizens must submit to government

1 Peter 2:13-15

¹³ Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—

b.     Employees must submit to their supervisors

          Colossians 3:22

²² Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in the sincerity of heart, fearing God. 

c.      Wives must submit to husbands

Ephesians 5:22-24

²² Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. ²⁴ Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives….

d.     Young people must submit to older people

1 Peter 5:5

⁵ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

e.      Believers must submit to their pastors.

Hebrews 13:17

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

2.     Realize how much we need the Holy Spirit

John 14:15-16

¹⁵ “If you love Me, keep My commandments. ¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—

3.     Discover your spiritual gifts.

         

b.     Embrace the different gifts God has given to you

4.     Be realistic about your successes and failures

a.      Don’t be afraid to admit failures

b.     Don’t  shy away from  or minimize successes

5.     Beware of Yearning for Praise

Being the object of praise is not necessarily cause pride.  But yearning for praise and very rapidly lead to pride. We should acknowledge praise but not enjoy it too much. Praise is often

a.      formality of protocol

b.     someone trying to get you to like them

c.      someone trying to set you up that you might do them a favor

John 5:44

⁴⁴ How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?

6.     Beware of Unhealthy Comparison

Keeping track of accomplishments and adding them up. It’s counting so as to compare with others.

2 Corinthians 10:10

¹² For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

7.     Resist Cultivating a Creator Complex - expecting everybody to be like you and perform at your level and coming down on them when they don’t.

8.     Resist Rejoicing in others’ Failures and Resenting Others’ Successes

Philippians 2:3

³ Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. ⁴ Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others.

a.      Do you get irritated when someone receives a tremendous blessing

b.     When in a competitive situation pray that the other person will do better than you, get more praise than you and be more used by God.

9.     Beware of Compulsively Defending Yourself Against Criticism

a.      Let Critics have their say

b.     Thank critics when they are right

10.            Stay Humble When Adversity Comes

a.      Don’t harden your hearts

Hebrews 12:4-9

⁴ You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. ⁵ And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; ⁶       For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” ⁷ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? ⁸ But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much.

b.     Be careful about the nuances of your language

c.      Don’t dredge up past failures

d.     Never say I told you so

Answer Key: rank; Looks; Holy Spirit; Successes and Failures;