HUMILITY, THE FIRST COMPONENT OF HOLINESS

In this series, we want to look at the different “components of HOLINESS.” “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. 6 Humble yourselves therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Pet. 5:5-6).

Another name for humility is “Humbleness” (Col. 3:12). Humility is also called “Lowliness” (Phil. 2:3). 

Let’s look at the different components of Holiness! In physics we know that white light is made up of the mnemonic “VIBGYOR.” “R” stands for Red, “O” stands for Orange, “Y” stands for Yellow, “G” stands for Green, “B” stands for Blue, “I” stands for Indigo, and “V” stands for Violet.

 

If you remove any of the components of white light, you will never get white light, because the components are not complete.

In a similar manner, the word “HOLINESS” is made up of: “H” stands for Humility; “O” stands for Obedience; “L” stands for Love; “I” stands for Integrity (Faithfulness); “N” stands for New Life; “E” stands for Endurance (2 Tim. 2:3; 4:5); “S” stands for Self-denial (Mk. 8:34); and the last “S” stands for Separation.

If you remove any of the components of holiness from your life, you will never be holy, because the components are not complete.

Today, we want to look at the very first component of holiness - HUMILITY. To make it to Heaven in the life to come, you MUST walk in HUMILITY in this present world. Why? This is because without humility HOLINESS is not complete. Therefore, a life that is devoid of humility is not a holy life. Here is the truth: 

“Humility” is the opposite of “pride.” So to understand HUMILITY, we need to know about pride first.

What is pride?  Pride is the feeling of superiority, a haughty (snobbish) attitude shown by people who consider, often unjustifiably, that they are better than others. 

For instance, do you know that it is pride that prevents you from mixing up with those you consider your social inferiors? 

The Bible defines pride as thinking of yourself more highly than you ought to (Rom. 12:3). The goal of pride is to elevate you above others, and often above God. So pride results from overvaluing yourself and undervaluing others. 

Pride leads to restlessness because it makes you dissatisfied with what you have and concerned about what everyone else is doing. Pride makes you to always hunger for more attention and adoration. Pride leads to destruction (Prov. 16:18). Pride will bring you low (Prov. 29:23a). Pride will bring shame to your life (Prov. 11:2). 

Now, let’s talk about humility. We have two types of humility: 1) False humility, and 2) True humility.

What is false humility? False humility is acting in an inconspicuous (not attracting attention, unnoticeable) manner, especially because of shyness or modesty. 

False humility is submitting to God on the outside and not on the inside. For instance, you come to church and appear to be spiritual probably through your dressing, but on your inside you do not really agree with God’s Word.

There are people who look humble but are so proud. If you look humble on the outside but you do not submit totally to God’s Word, you belong to this group.

What then is true humility? 

1. Being humble is not despising (undervaluing, looking down on) yourself.

2. True humility is being totally submissive to the voice of God both on your inside and on your outside - your outward appearance being a reflection of your inside.

True humility is being totally obedient to the will of God whether you like it or not. When you are humble you don’t struggle with or rebel against anything God has said.

3. True humility is not thinking too highly of yourself (Zeph. 3:11-12, NLT).

4. True humility is not having to prove yourself. Insecure or unstable people feel they need to prove themselves, but wise people don’t have to prove anything. 

A humble person does not show off (Prov. 12:23, NLT). If you are modest, people may not notice you at first, but they will respect you later.

5. True humility is not making yourself unnoticeable, withdrawing yourself shyly.

6. True humility is not destroying your sense of self-worth. Rather it is an honest recognition of your own worth, your worth as God sees you.  For instance, “…as He is in Heaven right now, so are you in this world” (1 Jn. 4:17).

Look at how God sees you: God sees you as the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. God sees you as more than a conqueror. God sees you as a winner. God sees you as an overcomer. God sees you as a new creature in Christ Jesus. God sees you as a success and not a failure.

To destroy your sense of self-worth is not acceptable, because it denies the value God placed upon you when He created you in His image and when He sent His Son to die for us. 

7. True HUMILITY puts others first and allows you to be content with God’s leading in your life. Such contentment gives you security so that you no longer have to prove yourself to others.

8. True humility is to reduce your power of independence.

9. True humility is to totally depend on God for everything.

10. True humility means thinking of others as better than yourself. “Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself” (Phil. 2:3).  

11. True humility means accepting the authority of those over you. 1 Peter 5:5 says, “You younger men, accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God sets Himself against the proud, but He shows favor to the humble.”  

12. True humility is childlikeness. Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:4).

13. True humility is gentleness. “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men” (Tit. 3:2).

A person that is truly humble does not slander anyone, and he avoids quarreling with anybody. Instead, he is gentle and shows true humility to everyone.

14. True humility is willingness to confess sin. “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest” (Ps. 51:3-4).

15. True humility is to totally comply with God’s Word. It is to totally obey the plan and purpose of God for your life (Jer. 29:11). 

16. True humility allows you to take wise advice (Prov. 13:10; Matt. 18:3-4).

Conclusion: The Word of God should settle God’s stand in this matter: Without humility there is no holiness and without holiness no man shall see the LORD (Heb. 12:14).

Watch out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit!

• • Your friend: I. I. MADUBUNYI (Senior Pastor)  21.02.2021