12 Humbling Bible Verses about Humility
Do you find yourself annoyed with people who just don’t seem to be like you? Maybe they’re a different political party or religion. Or, maybe they just don’t seem as smart as you or are a bit clueless. It takes humility to handle different types of folks along with their experiences and maturity. How do we respond in a loving and humbling manner as Christians when all we want to do is roll our eyes?!! Instead, grab these Humbling Bible Verses about Humility and find out how you can become more humble.
Would you like to be more humble in your life? Download this free and gorgeous Bible Verses on Humility Printable!
What is Pride?
What’s the definition of Pride from a Biblical perspective? In a nutshell, pride is independence from God. Do you think you have issues with this — maybe you don’t have a strong prayer life and forget to pray. Or, maybe you don’t read your Bible like you should — it’s been days or maybe even weeks. If this is the case, you could be convincing yourself that you don’t need God’s Word. Independence from God.
Pride is also esteeming yourself better than others, whether you think you’re better because you have more money, material possessions, talents, etc. You’re forgetting that God gave you all of those possessions, internally and physically.
How Do I Know I’m Prideful?
Adrian Rogers provides 5 great examples of pride which I think are helpful for those of us, like me, who are not sure when we are pride-filled:
- Prideful people will become irritated when someone corrects their mistakes or instructs them.
- A proud person will accept praise over what they don’t have control over such as beauty, abilities, and talents as gifts from God.
- A pride-filled person will not admit mistakes and always has an excuse for why something happened, and it’s not them.
- Prideful people refuse to take counsel and learn from other people.
- A proud person compares themselves to others as being better, having more, etc.
Do you struggle with any of these sins? If the answer is no, you have pride. If the answer is yes, you are one step closer to fixing your pride! We all have pride and it’s an insidious sin that affects Christians. Pride defies God and we always need God, He’s the one who gives us everything — including our talents, strengths, insights, wisdom etc.
So, what do we do about this pride we discovered? Read on — His Word has the answer to all of our sins!
Does Having a Healthy Self-Image Mean you are Prideful?
No, it only means that you realize your status — you are a child of God! We are righteous before the Lord through Jesus’ blood. What a wonderful gift God has given us!
What Scripture Talks About Humility?
Listed below are 12 Bible Verses about Humility – yet, I prefer the ones that speak directly to me in a short and concise way. James 4:6 says, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” It’s basically saying God gives us grace when we are humble in spirit. That’s easy to understand!
What Did Jesus Say about Humility?
Jesus did teach extensively about humility throughout the Bible, including humility as part of the Beatitudes. Here are 5 Bible Verses that include humbleness and how those who carry this spiritual fruit will be blessed and will be exalted:
- “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” – Matthew 5:5
- “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12
- “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” – Matthew 23:11-12
- “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” – Luke 14:11
- “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” – Matthew 11:29
These humbling Bible verses teach that humility is not only a desirable character trait but also a huge advantage for living a blessed and fulfilled life. Jesus modeled humility in His walk on earth, and He encourages us in these important scriptures to follow in His footsteps by serving others and becoming selfless.
What Do Proverbs Say About Humility?
There are a few proverbs in the Bible that speak about humility. Here are some examples:
- “Before honour is humility.” – Proverbs 15:33
- “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.” – Proverbs 22:4
- “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” – Proverbs 29:23
- “He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” – Proverbs 18:12
These proverbs reiterate the message of Jesus that humility is a key characteristic for spiritual excellence leading to honor, riches, and life blessings. These wise sayings from Proverbs also warn against pride and arrogance, which sadly, can lead to downfall and shame.
12 Bible Verses about Humility
Here are 12 Bible Verses that include humbleness and included is a commentary on the background, history, and/or how to apply these humble principles to your daily life.
1. But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:6
James quotes Proverbs 3:34 here referring to the earlier context about loving the world. God notices and wants us to love Him, not the world. His promise is — if you submit to God’s divine wisdom, He will give you grace. However, if you elevate yourself, you will face a formidable foe. In other words, seek God’s wisdom and stop being proud — instead, focus on being humble.
2. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Philippians 2:3
Christians, whether in the secular world or in the church, must always seek the approval of God, not the approval of men. If you can catch the act of self-forgetfulness and instead, serve others, this is the type of spirit that’s Christ-like. Fix yourself in the eyes of excellency in others and judge them from that standpoint.
Strife is translated in Greek (eriyeia eritheia) as the sense of self-seeking pursuit of political office by an unfair means. It also means selfishness and self-promotion. Some in the Philippian church were caught up in pride and advancing themselves for an office in the church.
Are you seeking a position in your church for vainglory? If you’re not sure, look at your motives. Is it to gain power and control over others, or do you fantasize about getting up in front of people to grab popularity? If so, be humble. Seek God’s will and wisdom. Envision how you can glorify God in your position.
3. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. Colossians 3:12
Like a spiritual wardrobe or the armor of God, this command must be obeyed at once. This is now your spiritual wardrobe of practical righteousness:
- Bowels of mercies – have a heart of compassion,mercy in action, and heartfelt sympathy for the less fortunate.
- Kindness is a sweet disposition, gentleness, and graciousness.
- Humbleness of mind is the outward expression of this right internal attitude.
- Meekness – Does NOT mean WEAKNESS! It’s the lowliness and delicate consideration for others. Pride has no place in the Christian’s life and we tend to give proud looks, which means our heart holds pride.
- Longsuffering – Patience under provocation (someone who provokes you to anger or is annoying). Someone who bears injury and insult without retaliating.
4. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
Pride, which is basically a concern for self-advancement and is void of concern for others, is the dynamic behind a breach of ethics. It’s an abomination to the Lord as declared in Proverbs 6:16-17 “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,”.
5. 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.1 Peter 5:5
Here we are talking again about being clothed in humility. The younger men and the older men play a part in the church and the social structure shouldn’t be disrupted. The elders are the leaders and younger men must submit to them. The word ‘be clothed’ (engkomboomai) means literally to ‘tie on’ an apron; here humbleness should be put on to those in the church as everyone has a proper role in their relationship with others.
6. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matthew 23:12
God, in His perfect time, will exalt those who are humble. Spiritual greatness is not measured in rank, popularity, or fame. The scribes and Pharisees were not clothed in humility but in robes of self-righteousness. As Christians mature, we may have a tendency to get prideful and arrogant and what we know about the Bible. We must always be careful to keep our humbleness and check out our pridefulness. Sadly, the world sees a servant’s heart as weakness and low social standing. However, to God, it is a mark of spiritual maturity.
In due season, He will magnify and give grace to the meek and humble servant. Are you looking for ways to serve others?
7. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. Psalm 25:9
God will go out of His way to teach the meek. This Old Testament sense refers to lowliness or humility, not weakness. God promises those with humble minds will make the right decisions or judgments. It’s exciting to hear that He will teach the humble the secrets of His ways!
8. By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life. Proverbs 22:4
Here’s another promise from God. He will reward you for humbleness. If we have a teachable and disciplined spirit and remain humble with fear, we will obtain riches, honor, and a blessed life.
9. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15
Revival comes from the individual. It comes from those who have a humble attitude and are broken before God. You can organize a revival in a church building but it’s the people who set their idols before the Lord and find a renewed dependence on the Lord Jesus. Next time there is a revival organized at church, remember that it’s the people who need revival in their hearts.
10. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8
The prophet Micah answers questions from the people and reminds them that God does not require just an outward appearance of conformity. He wants an internal obedience to God. Moses, through the ten commandments, reveals the external actions. Yet, the external evidence shoed the true intention of one’s heart relationship with God.
There are three dimensions to God’s requirements, as the KJV Parallel Bible shares:
- Outward – to do justly in an external fashion to each other.
- Inward – to love mercy means you’ve committed to God’ revelation that will manifest itself in a right relationship towards man and God.
- Upward – to walk humbly with God having the right attitude towards Him and a determination to walk in continuous fellowship with God.
God doesn’t desire us to ‘fake it ’til we make it’. Instead, we need to ask God for spiritual revival internally and restore our relationship with the Lord so we bear fruit naturally and not forced. We should have self-control inside so we don’t have to fake it outside.
11. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 14:11
We must be seen as small in our own perspective before we are huge in His eyes. Across the globe, most cultures designate places for the honored guest(s) at meals and other functions. Jesus warned us about placing ourselves at the ‘head table’ unless we are invited to do so. We want the best for ourselves, don’t we? If we choose the best seat for ourselves, we will be dishonored. Wait for your time, my Christian friend. It will come.
12. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:10
The man or woman who submits themselves to the Lord in a spiritual sense will be exalted in ways he or she could never achieve as Matthew 23:12 and I Peter 5:6 mentions as well.
Humbleness is crucial to be in fellowship with God and with our friends, family, and acquaintances. These Humbling Bible Verses about Humility will keep you focused on ‘turning the other cheek’ and living your life for the Lord, not yourself. It doesn’t matter what man gets, says, or thinks, we should only fear the Lord. Being humble takes self-control and self-discipline, but with Jesus, we can do it all.