Humility in the Bible: Why God Exalts the Humble
“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
Luke 14:11
The concept of humility, as described in the Bible, is not just about having a humble attitude; it’s about recognizing our position as believers when we stand before a Holy God. He is our creator, He knows what is best for us, and He has a purpose that He desires to fulfill through us. We are called to take up our cross and follow Christ, and as Mark 9:35 reads, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
Throughout scripture, it is taught that the only way to God is through humility, and the only way away from Him is through pride. The life of Jesus Christ and the lessons learned from Adam’s fall illustrate the difference between humility and pride, and what it means to be exalted by God rather than ourselves. This humility is a pathway designed by God to bring His creation back to its original position, rather than to remain independent, self-willed humans.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Phil 2:8
What is Humility in the Bible?
Humility in the Bible is consistently portrayed as a vital characteristic for those who wish to live in accordance with God’s will. One of the best examples of humility is seen in Jesus Christ, who, despite being the Son of God, humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8). This ultimate act of humility paved the way for His exaltation. It shows believers that in God’s kingdom, the only way to live is not through self-promotion, but through humble submission to God.
“And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”
1 Corinthians 15:45
Adam’s Failure and Christ’s Humility
In the beginning, Adam’s disobedience illustrated what happens when man chooses to exalt himself over God. Adam, created in God’s image and given dominion over the entire earth (Genesis 1:26), fell when he pursued his own will rather than God’s. This act of rebellion led to spiritual and physical death, alienating humanity (his progency) from God’s presence.
On the contrary, Jesus, referred to as the “last Adam” in 1 Corinthians 15:45, demonstrated perfect humility by surrendering His will to the Father. Throughout His life and ministry on earth, He exemplified the divine principle that “he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). Jesus’ humble obedience, even unto death on the cross, reversed the consequences of Adam’s sin and paved the way for believers to be exalted with Him.
He who humbles himself will be exalted
Luke 14:11
Why God Exalts the Humble
In James 4:10, we are told to “humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” This passage highlights a recurring biblical theme: God exalts the humble.
But why does God place such importance on humility?
God’s desire to exalt the humble stems from His own character. God is opposed to pride, which leads to destruction (Proverbs 16:18) because pride is a denial of our need for Him. Humility, on the other hand, acknowledges our dependence on God and His sovereignty. In this place of surrender, God can work through us for His greater purposes.
Humility: The Key to Exaltation
Biblical humility is not about self-deprecation or undervaluing our worth; it is about understanding our rightful position before God. As Christ demonstrated, true humility is rooted in surrendering to God’s will. When we humble ourselves, we acknowledge that all we are and all we have is from Him.
In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul encourages believers to “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.” This humility brings peace in relationships and leads to a life aligned with God’s purposes, resulting in exaltation at the proper time.
Practical Steps to Humility
As shown in the Bible, living out humility requires daily surrender and reliance on God’s guidance. Here are a few ways to cultivate biblical humility in your life:
- Submit to God’s Will: Follow the example of Christ, who said, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Humility begins with a heart that is surrendered to God’s will.
- Serve Others Selflessly: True humility is demonstrated through serving others. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).
- Seek God’s Grace: As James 4:6 reminds us, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humility opens the door to receiving God’s grace, which empowers us to live a godly life.
Conclusion: The Reward of Humility in the Bible
The Bible makes it clear that the path to exaltation is through humility. As we humble ourselves before God, He promises to lift us up in due time (1 Peter 5:6). Whether, in this life or the next, the reward for walking in humility is a closer relationship with God and a share in the eternal reign of Christ.
Let us remember that “whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14:11). In choosing the path of biblical humility, we walk in the footsteps of Jesus, the ultimate example of a humble servant exalted by God.
Written by: David Matthews Jr
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