The call to be humble in the Bible is interesting when compared to modern culture, as it relates to Christianity. Instead of the example of humility, servitude, and giving to the poor, we find something else. Glittering mega-churches, YouTube-famous pastors, and entire compounds of mansions “for the glory of God”. And somehow, along the way, the call to humility is somehow overlooked.
When we dig into scriptures, it’s clear from the teachings of Jesus Christ that Christians are called to something else. We’re called to have a humble heart and serve one another. The examples of humility in the scriptures show us that the grace of God ultimately favors the humble. Not only that, but we are provided several powerful examples of what to do.
Definition of Being Humble in the Bible and How It Shows Up
The dictionary provides the following definition of humility:
- not proud or arrogant; modest.
- having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc..
- low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.; lowly.
- courteously respectful.
- low in height, level, etc.; small in size.
And in the Bible, we see many examples of several of these possible uses. One of the primary meanings of humility in the Bible is really about fourth meaning from the list, being courteously respectful.
Everything from parables to the teachings of Jesus, to his ministry and commands to the disciples call for them to not be proud or arrogant, to not strive for status, but to serve one another, to be respectful to one another in all things.
It’s clear from the life of Jesus that humility is a call for Christians to follow. And this isn’t just for women, as some might like you to think. Jesus is often talking to leaders, disciples, and the general community about the need for humility.
What We Get When We Don’t Follow the Example We are Given to Be Humble in the Bible
One only need to turn on the news to see what happens when we don’t follow the example of humility given to us in the Bible. You’ll see it with your own eyes…people lying, full of vain conceit, taking advantage of others for their own gain.
But as Proverbs 16:18 teaches, “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” There are so many (so-called) spiritual leaders who perhaps over-emphasize the need to be different from the world. But I would love to know how many of them are teaching that it actually means having a spirit of humility.
That’s not to say that one can never cause disruption. Don’t be mistaken. The kind of humility the Bible calls for is not one of complete passivity. Jesus, himself, flipped tables when people were using the church to serve their own interests.
We are called to be humble by rejecting things like pride, arrogance, and self-exaltation. We are called to be humble by loving, looking out for the interests of the others, and following the example of Jesus’ life. This is the opposite of what we are taught is important by the world.
How to Apply the Teaching to Be Humble in the Bible
So what does it look like to be humble? How can we show others the love of God through being an example of true humility, as the Bible teaches? There are three main ways we can live this out: trusting God, practicing humility in our hearts and minds, and loving our neighbors, as we have been called to. As some sort of paradox, by becoming humble in these ways on Earth, we gain a place of honor in the kingdom of heaven.
Trust and Depend on God
It’s so easy to let our own will get in the way of God’s instruction. It’s easy to let anxiety, the chaos of the world, and our own experiences keep us from seeing the very nature of God and how it impacts our lives. We are called to be in prayer repeatedly throughout the Bible. Just a few examples:
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17: pray without ceasing
- Colossians 4:2: Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.
- Romans 12:12: Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer.
When we spend more time in prayer, creating that relationship and dependence on God and the example of Jesus, it makes sense that we would develop a spirit of humility. It helps us not to be guided by our own accomplishments but to trust the path we have been given and use it to honor God.
Inner Transformation
You know the people…the ones who show up to church on Sunday and make a point of showing how humble and devoted they are? But then you see them in the community Facebook group. And they’re being downright hateful about the idea of something that might serve others’ interests. They can put on the show of humility, but that’s all it will be. A show.
Doing the inner transformation of humility means taking a long look at ourselves and scripture. Asking ourselves, “What does the Bible say about humility? And more importantly, how can I model this in my heart?”
It means digging out sometimes deeply rooted beliefs and deciding to create a new mindset. It means making your heart match what you profess, being humble, and caring for people of low position. The Proverbs are full of wisdom around doing heart work:
- Proverbs 4:23: Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
- Proverbs 23:15: My child, if your heart is wise, my heart also will be glad.
- Proverbs 2:2: [make] your ear attentive to wisdom and [incline] your heart to understanding
Loving Your Neighbor
This is the meat of it. The ultimate commandment. Loving your neighbor. Acting with humility toward them. Jesus came down in human form to show us exactly how to do this. And yet, it can be a challenge.
There’s a quote going around that says “the cost of community is being annoyed.” And we have gotten so used to things being our own way, it can be hard to remain in good conduct and a loving unity of mind when someone is on your last nerve. But they’re your neighbor. To answer the call to humility, it’s important to put our own egos aside and learn to love them.
- Romans 15:2: Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor.
- Proverbs 3:29: Do not plan harm against your neighbor who lives trustingly beside you.
- Luke 10: 27: ‘He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.”
People of humility count others as their neighbor, and follow the repeated call to honor, protect, and serve them. By practicing this, we create a powerful community of respect and dignity for all of our neighbors, from elders down to little children.
21 Bible Verses that Reference Humble in the Bible
Both the Old Testament and the New Testament have examples of the call to be humble. These do not include EVERY example of humble in the Bible, but even from this collection, one can see that God’s word calls repeatedly for believers to be humble.
Old Testament Verses That Reference Humble in the Bible
- Psalms 25:9: He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his way.
- Proverbs 11:2: When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but wisdom is with the humble.
- Psalms 18:27: For you deliver a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.
- Proverbs 3:34: Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor.
- Psalms 149:4: For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.
- Numbers 12:3: Now the man Moses was very humble, more so than anyone else on the face of the earth.
- Zephaniah 2:3: Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land who do his commands; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the LORD’s wrath.
- Ezekiel 21:26: thus says the Lord GOD: Remove the turban, take off the crown; things shall not remain as they are. Exalt that which is low; humble that which is high.
- 2 Chronicles 7:14: if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
- Daniel 10:12: He said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.
New Testament Verses That Reference Humble in the Bible
- James 1:9-10: Let the brother or sister of humble means boast in having a high position, and the rich in having been humbled, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field.
- Matthew 23:12: All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.
- James 4:6: But God gives all the more grace; therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
- 1 Peter 5:6: Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time.
- Ephesians 4:1-3: I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.
- Matthew 18:4: Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- Philippians 2:3: Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.
- Luke 18:14: I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
- James 4:10: Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
- 1 Peter 3:8: Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
- Matthew 11:29: Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Why Following the Example of Humble in the Bible Should Be Part of Christian Life
Being humble isn’t as sexy and fun of a goal as achievement, power, or accolades, but it is our calling. The Christian community is called to be humble. We’re called to give grace to our neighbors. We’re supposed to model compassion and serve others so they may know the presence of God through us.
Jesus is our perfect example of humility. When we follow the words and teachings of Christ Jesus with humble submission to God, we work toward bringing the kingdom of heaven here to Earth, and receiving God’s grace in the process.
It doesn’t matter what popular media and culture tell us. In the sight of the Lord, humility is the most honorable and impactful way we can live. Let us take these lessons and bring a more humble, loving presence to the world around us.
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