Humility is not to think less of yourself. It is to think of yourself less.
What are the Steps to Humility?
Luke 14:1, 7-14
1 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.
7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
CHRISTIAN HUMILITY
True humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is to think of yourself less and more of others.
Humility is knowing who God is, then knowing who you are in relation to God.
Humility is to be selfless ... thinking of others ... being a servant.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross! (Phillipians 2:5-8)
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
It is our responsibility. Are you proud of being humble?
We know from God's Word that He resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.
How can we know that we are living in humility and ready to receive God's blessings? Humility is the ability to be without pride or arrogance and it is a main character that should be seen in those who follow Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the best example of someone who humbly followed God's plan for His life.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2)
He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but He shows favor to the humble.” (James 4:6)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:10)
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:12)
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 15:33)
True humility and “fear of the LORD” lead to riches, honor, and long life. (Proverbs 22:4)
For the LORD takes delight in his people; He crowns the humble with victory. (Psalm 149)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matthew 23:10-12)
Pride vs Humility
Pride is the most deadly and evil of all sins because it is at the root of all other sins. Pride was probably Satan’s original sin, when he said, “I will make myself like the Most High”
Satan said to Adam and Eve: “Eat the forbidden fruit and you will be just like God.”
Humility is being completely dependent on God. It is our first duty and the highest virtue. Humility is the root of every virtue. Pride is the root of every sin.
HUMILITY STEMS FROM UNDERSTANDING THAT JESUS IS THE LORD OF ALL THINGS, that He is the ONLY WAY to the Father and that without Him, we can do NOTHING. He is the vine and we are the branches.