The Blessing of a Humble Heart
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!
Philippians 2:5-8
God is molding us to have the same mindset as Jesus, and Jesus was a humble servant. Some people do not understand what it means to be humble, while others try to be humble but fail in certain emotion-driven situations. We will describe what it means to be humble and the blessings from being humble. We will also describe the difficulties Christians have in being humble and what it takes to be truly humble.
When we are humble, we know that in our flesh we are sinful, yet we know who we are in Christ. The more that we understand God’s grace and that our identities are in Christ, the more humble we become. We are free in Christ only because of the love of Jesus, who took our sins to the cross. When this love pierces our hearts, we are humble.
The blessings we receive from being humble are numerous. We are pleasing to the Lord because he opposes the prideful but gives grace to the humble. God opposes the prideful but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6) A Godly person is a humble person with a strong identity in Christ, and he has a secure heart filled with God’s unconditional love. A humble person is not emotionally driven by what people may say, because he is secure in Christ, and this enables him to respond with Godly wisdom and a gentle spirit. Otherwise, how could we minister in this lost world when people oppose us?
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3) A humble person has a loving heart for all people and knows his or her purpose in life: To minister to others. He can respond to unfair treatment without becoming angry and without the need for vengeance. A defensive, self-serving behavior virtually disappears in a humble servant of the Lord. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)
Christians strive to be humble, but an emotionally-driven situation often reveals a prideful response. I was this way for many months; when I felt threatened I responded in anger by habit, coming from childhood behavior. As the Lord led me into ministering to others, teaching classes and mentoring, God began to change my heart. When we read and study the Word, it changes the way we think, and when we minister to and become close to other souls, it changes our hearts. A truly humble person is a truly blessed person.
If you wish to become humble, first pray for God’s help, and read and meditate on scriptures of Jesus taking your sins to the cross. Look into Jesus’ heart and the Father’s heart, and imagine the attitude of the Father when we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord. Notice how the Lord has changed you through his love, and you are in his family; you are a priest, his special possession. He has filled you with his Spirit and desires to bless you and lead you through life into heaven to live with him forever. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1 Peter 2:9) You are being molded to the mind of Christ; heaven is your home and the Lord enables you to overcome the world. For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4) God is molding you to be the person he created you to be; don’t be prideful but humbly accept God’s love with a thankful, humble heart.
Today seek to be humble by praying for others and seeing others as the Lord sees them. Don’t let your emotions drive you to anger or to self justification, but walk in the truth of being secure in Christ. Try to respond with Godly wisdom in all situations. Commune with the Lord and ask the Spirit for words of wisdom. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, (James 1:19).
Let’s Pray: Lord, help me to be humble and to be secure in Christ. Please remind me of my divine purpose in life, to follow the Spirit and to show Christ to everyone at all times. Help me to always be Christ-like and not to yield to Satan’s temptation of anger and self justification. Help me to see others as you see them, with an unconditional compassionate heart. In Jesus name, Amen