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Humility is a rare quality among God's people. Some who claim to be the humblest are in reality the proudest, perhaps because they dont understand the true meaning of  humility, but it is absolutely necessary if you are going to live the Christian life.

What is humility? It is not only a virtue, but an attitude of mind that realizes that one is without any reason for distinction in God's sight.

Luke 14:11; 18:14b; "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

Matthew 23:12; "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."

James 4:10; " Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."

1Peter 5:5-6 "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:"

Are you proud? If you are proud, then God resists or opposes you, and that's terrible. If you're proud and have an unteachable spirit, God resists you. Do you want to come to the throne and reign with Christ and live an overcoming life? You must humble yourself.

How can you humble yourself? By recognize that you're nothing, by getting on your knees and being honest with the Lord. Paul said, I "am less than the least of all saints," (Ephesians :8) and "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief" (1Timothy 1:15).

Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."

If you're proud, you will fall flat on your face. It is better to humble before the Lord.

Psalms 147:6; "The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground."

Psalms 149:4 "For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation."

What is humility? Humility is NOT saying, "I'm no good, I'm unworthy, I'll never be any good . . ."
Humility is being able to say "I am what I am by the grace of God." (1Corinthians 15:10)

That's how Paul and John could boast in their apostleship. They weren't proud but recognizing what they were before the Lord, by the calling and grace of God, yet having no confidence in their flesh or abilities (Philippians 3:3).

Humility is to not to see yourself as more or as less than you are, but what you are in Christ. Humility will always make us dependent upon God, then we will draw all from Him. Our life, grace, strength, faith, love.

"Humility, the sweetest lovliest flower to grow in Eden,
  it was the first to die and has been seldom seen since.
  It is so deligate that it perishes if it but looks upon itself,
  And he who esteems it his, prove by that thought, he has it not'
                                                                      (Dickens)
One of the best ways Ive found to understand key principle in the Bible is to contrast it with the oppossite of it as its described, usually someplace close. Take for instance the contrast in James:
 "The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower."
                                                                      (James 1:9,10)
   Its intersting that the word pride is used for both, its not highminded boasting that is in light here. It actually means to glory, in the original its 'kauchaomai' and is strongly contrasted with 'megalaucheo' which means 'megala'-great things. and 'aucheo'-to lift up the neck. The latter form traslated with the same word in English is used in (James 3:5) and is a kind of pride that stirs up envy and strife.
   The contrast here is subtle but there is a kind of pride that is happy to suffer humiliation with the expectation of being exalted. "Blessed are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of God"
(Luke 6:20). "But woe to you who are rich, for you have already receied your comfort." (Luke 6:24).
    Heres another contrast:
  "...your earthly nature; sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry." (Colosians 3:5)
Then theres...
  "...clothe yourselfs with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience...And over all these virtues put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Col. 3:12, 14)
  Isnt it interesting that humility and patience are contrasted with lust and greed?
   Heres what I think is the key to humility, "Submit to one another out of reverence (godly fear) for Christ" (Eph 5:21).
Which is the natural response to the Gospel.
   "Then I saw another angel flying in midair. and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth-to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice. 'Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment had com, Worshim him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water." (Rev. 14:6,7)
   Contrasted in the next verse with:
" ...Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries." (Rev 14:8)

  Finally, "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may ne enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints." (Eph. 1:18). "Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love." (Eph 6:24)

DITTO  ;D

Another DITTO  ;D

Thank you so much for these thoughts. To be reminded of who and what we should work at being is very edifying and needed. I just found this thread. I must have missed it when originally posted. The admonishment of it makes me want to yell praises and sing, lift up holy hands, and thank God for finding a wretch like me to give His gift of grace and salvation.

Thank you, it is nice to find a post thet is not arguing or disputing. It is a good study on one aspect of how christians are to be.

In the love of Christ,
Ollie

AMEN!  What's more, is that humility is not to see yourself as more or less than you are, but what you are in light of Christ.  Seeing God for Who He is, and acknowledging Him accordingly is the beginning of humility.  Why are we so proud so often?  Our focus too often lies on self.  Is it any wonder Jesus told us to take up our cross, and deny ourselves?  Thank you.  Nice post.   :)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEN!!!!!!!!

It's too bad, Ollie, that you don't practise it in your dealings with those with whom you have a disagreement. In fact, it's the easiest thing in the world to wax eloquent on the spiritual benefits of humility and quite another to put such into practice in our everyday dealings with those we regard as the enemy. Since I've started posting here a few weeks back (primarily to provide a defense against the lies, distortions and outright hatred directed towards Orthodox Christians by a number of evangelical Christians), I've been astounded at the "lack of humility" and "love" by these people.

Instead of mouthing "Ditto" why not put your money where you mouth is, so to speak, and start behaving in such a manner? You know... humbly? It might actually win people over rather than get their backs up.

Kerygma,

In all humility may I suggest that you learn to read and distinguish whose posts you are reading and whose remarks you attribute to whom. You accuse wrongfully and misquote everybody!

Also you need to practice what you preach. Render to no man evil for evil but rather good.

God Bless you,
In the love of Christ,
Ollie

Oh... I read quite well, Ollie. No need for an admonition. I'm certain that others here recognize your two-faced nature. Do you honestly think that by signing off with "God bless you" you are somehow excused from the vile accusations and constant ad hominems you've made over the past few weeks? Need I remind you that you cannot manipulate others nearly as well as you think you can?

Well.. carry on, folks. You're making the right sounds... just need a bit of practice on the application, eh?!  ;)

 Matthew 5:

43.  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
 44.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
 45.  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
 46.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
 47.  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
 48.  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

As I read the arguments that tend to come about on sites such as this, where faiths and practices are defended and faithful practitioners are often offended, one thing always tends to stand out: when disagreements arise, and proof of argument fails or seems to fail, the debaters tend to get personal.  Lord knows that I'm no better than anyone else at this, so please don't view this as a holier-than-thou response to this matter.  But as the proverbial mud begins to be slung, let me make this gentle admonition from Matthew 7:1-5:


Note, the point here isn't judging one another.  God tells us, afterall, that we will know others by their fruit.  That takes a portion of judgmental attention does it not?  Rather, the point made here is that when we face any situation, whether disagreements or otherwise, we are better off to check our own lives first, before we begin pointing fingers at others.  Then, and only then, can we see or (may I be liberal here?) judge our brother enough to remove their "speck."  Let's deal with our own responses brethren, then we can effectively deal with those of others.

Good advice.

Now back to,"Humility". here is some scripture that advises Christians and touches on humbleness. Perhaps some of it has been given already in previous posts. The whole of Colossians 3 while it admonishes the christian it also edifies.

Colossians 3

 1.  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
 2.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
 3.  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
 4.  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
 5. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
 6.  For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
 7.  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
 8. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
 9.  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
 10.  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
 11.  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
 12.  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
 13.  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
 14.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
 15.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
 16.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
 17.  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
 18.  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
 19.  Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
 20.  Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
 21.  Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
 22.  Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
 23.  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
 24.  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
 25.  But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

True humility comes from UNDERSTANDING who and what you are in the sight of God.
Pride comes by thinking you are MORE than what you are.

No christian who has spent any time at the foot of calvaries rugged cross has much room for pride.

Humility comes   in the measure of your (LIVELY) KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.

Pride comes when you are unwilling to admit you are wrong.
Humility is there when you accept it and seek God to change.

Pride cometh before  a fall.
Humility before you stand up on your own two feet.

Pride comes when we are MAN centered.
Humilty is there  when we are GOD centered.

"IF MY people will HUMBLE themselves(FIRST) (THEN) and pray I will forgive THIER sins and HEAL THE LAND"

It would seem then that the "land's' problems haS ITS ROOT in the churches PRIDE?

Perhaps if there was less 'celebrating' and more "WEEPING before the alter"Things may begin tO HAPPEN.