What Does the Bible Say About Humility?

The Bible says that humility leads to wisdom, with a focus on submitting to God rather than building up one's own ego. The Bible warns against false humility, which is really about making yourself look impressive to other people but has nothing to do with building a relationship with God.

Identification

The Bible defines humility as the opposite of pride. In Proverbs 11:2, the Bible says, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." The Bible repeats this message in Proverbs 18:12: "Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor." The problem with pride is that it keeps people focused upon themselves instead of on God; humility focuses upon God rather than upon our own strengths.

Features

The Bible tells us that humility honors others rather than ourselves: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3). Humility involves being submissive to others rather than just doing whatever you want to do: "Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another..." (1 Peter 5:5-6).

Significance

Humility is one of the traits that God wants to see in His people: "as God's chosen people...clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12). The Bible equates humility with other positive characteristics, such as doing good, being peaceable and being considerate. James 3:13 tells us that humility leads to wisdom: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."

Benefits

According to Proverbs 22:4, humility leads to "wealth and honor and life." Humility can also spare a person from God's wrath. In Zephaniah 2:3, the Bible tells us to "Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger." The Bible tells us that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5, quoting Proverbs 3:34).

Warning

God can tell the difference between true humility and the pretense of humility. True humility focuses upon God, not upon impressing other people with self-imposed rules to make others believe that you are humble. The Bible goes into detail about false humility in Colossians 2:16-23. The Bible points out that false humility focuses upon non-spiritual notions and unnecessary regulations that add no value to a relationship with God or with others.

Resources

• Imitating Christ's humility
• Warning against false humility