alicia_charne
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what does it mean to be humble? What are the characteristics of a humble christian?
Humble?
- Thread starter alicia_charne
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I think there are so many things that contribute to true humility.Putting other people first,respecting peoples wishes and opinions,the list goes on and on.Interestingly you will never hear a humble person say they are humble.Its a contradiction in terms!
Tollo_Eruanna
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This is one of those things I've often wondered myself. I've always just thought that its where you don't have too much pride in youself, and you are satisfied with whatever you have. Thats what I've always thought.
Being humble is not being proud, yet submissive to GOD and fellowman. Considering and esteeming others above yourself. As Sparky stated, "...you will never hear a humble person say they are humble." As burgeon, I think it is being a testimony rather than giving one..."for our actions speak louder than words."
Humble
There are 3 persons called "humble" in the Bible:
1. Moses: "Moses was a very humble man, more humble than any man on the face of the earth" (Num.12:3)… And that's why God chose him to lead his people!.
2. Virgin Mary: "The humble servant of the Lord"… and because of her humility, God made great things for her, and all generations forever will call her blessed (Lk.1:48-49).
3. Jesus: "He humbled himself being obedient to death, even death on a cross. That is why God exalted him and gave him the Name that outshines all names, so that at the name of Jesus all knees should bend" (Phi.2:8-10).
"Humility" is the truth, and it means lowliness, submissiveness.
There are 3 persons called "humble" in the Bible:
1. Moses: "Moses was a very humble man, more humble than any man on the face of the earth" (Num.12:3)… And that's why God chose him to lead his people!.
2. Virgin Mary: "The humble servant of the Lord"… and because of her humility, God made great things for her, and all generations forever will call her blessed (Lk.1:48-49).
3. Jesus: "He humbled himself being obedient to death, even death on a cross. That is why God exalted him and gave him the Name that outshines all names, so that at the name of Jesus all knees should bend" (Phi.2:8-10).
"Humility" is the truth, and it means lowliness, submissiveness.
alicia_charne said:
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2004
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Everyone had great responses. I'll be cheap and just copy/paste from a Bible dictionary 
LOL
Humility (Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary)
a prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22).
Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil. 2:6-8). We should be led thereto by a remembrance of our sins (Lam. 3:39), and by the thought that it is the way to honour (Prov. 16:18), and that the greatest promises are made to the humble (Ps. 147:6; Isa. 57:15; 66:2; 1 Pet. 5:5). It is a "great paradox in Christianity that it makes humility the avenue to glory."
LOLHumility (Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary)
a prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22).
Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil. 2:6-8). We should be led thereto by a remembrance of our sins (Lam. 3:39), and by the thought that it is the way to honour (Prov. 16:18), and that the greatest promises are made to the humble (Ps. 147:6; Isa. 57:15; 66:2; 1 Pet. 5:5). It is a "great paradox in Christianity that it makes humility the avenue to glory."
Twelve Ways To Humble Yourself
1. Routinely confess your sin to God. (Luke 18:9-14) All of us sin and fall short of the glory of God. However, too few of us have a routine practice of rigorous self-honesty examination. Weekly, even daily, review of our heart and behavior, coupled with confession to God, is an essential practice of humility.
2. Acknowledge your sin to others. (James 3:2, James 5:16) Humility before God is not complete unless there is also humility before man. A true test of our willingness to humble ourselves is being willing to share with others the weaknesses we confess to God. Wisdom, however, dictates that we do so with others that we trust.
3. Take wrong patiently. (1 Peter 3:8-17) This has been a difficult one for me. When something is unjust I want to react and rectify it. However, patiently responding to the unjust accusations and actions of others demonstrates our strength of godly character and provides an opportunity to put on humility.
4. Actively submit to authority…the good and the bad! (1 Peter 2:18) Our culture does not value submission; rather it promotes individualism. How purposely and actively do you work on submission to those whom God has placed as authorities in your life? Doing so is a good way to humble yourself.
5. Receive correction and feedback from others graciously. (Proverbs 10:17, 12:1) In the Phoenix area, a local East valley pastor was noted for graciously receiving any negative feedback or correction offered. He would simply say "thank you for caring enough to share that with me, I will pray about it and get back to you." Look for the kernel of truth in what people offer you, even if it comes from a dubious source. Always pray, "Lord, what are you trying to show me through this?"
6. Accept a lowly place. (Proverbs 25:6,7) If you find yourself wanting to sit at the head table, wanting others to recognize your contribution or become offended when others are honored or chosen, then pride is present. Purpose to support others being recognized, rather than you. Accept and look for the lowly place; it is the place of humility.
7. Purposely associate with people of lower state than you. (Luke 7:36-39) Jesus was derided by the Pharisees for socializing with the poor and those of lowly state. Our culture is very status conscious and people naturally want to socialize upward. Resist the temptation of being partial to those with status or wealth.
8. Choose to serve others. (Philippians 1:1, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Matthew 23:11) When we serve others, we are serving God’s purposes in their lives. Doing so reduces our focus on ourselves and builds the Kingdom of God instead of the Kingdom of self. When serving another costs us nothing, we should question whether or not it is really servanthood.
9. Be quick to forgive. (Matthew 18: 21-35) Forgiveness is possibly one of the greatest acts of humility we can do. To forgive is to acknowledge a wrong that has been done us and also to further release our right of repayment for the wrong. Forgiveness is denial of self. Forgiveness is not insisting on our way and our justice.
10. Cultivate a grateful heart. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) The more we develop an attitude of gratitude for the gift of salvation and life He has given us, the more true our perspective of self. A grateful heart is a humble heart.
11. Purpose to speak well of others. (Ephesians 4:31-32) Saying negative things about others puts them "one down" and us "one up"…a form of pride. Speaking well of others edifies them and builds them up instead of us. Make sure, however, that what you say is not intended as flattery.
12. Treat pride as a condition that always necessitates embracing the cross. (Luke 9:23) It is our nature to be proud and it is God’s nature in us that brings humility. Committing to a lifestyle of daily dying to self and living through Him is the foundation for true humility.
http://www.bible.com/answers/ahumilty.html
1. Routinely confess your sin to God. (Luke 18:9-14) All of us sin and fall short of the glory of God. However, too few of us have a routine practice of rigorous self-honesty examination. Weekly, even daily, review of our heart and behavior, coupled with confession to God, is an essential practice of humility.
2. Acknowledge your sin to others. (James 3:2, James 5:16) Humility before God is not complete unless there is also humility before man. A true test of our willingness to humble ourselves is being willing to share with others the weaknesses we confess to God. Wisdom, however, dictates that we do so with others that we trust.
3. Take wrong patiently. (1 Peter 3:8-17) This has been a difficult one for me. When something is unjust I want to react and rectify it. However, patiently responding to the unjust accusations and actions of others demonstrates our strength of godly character and provides an opportunity to put on humility.
4. Actively submit to authority…the good and the bad! (1 Peter 2:18) Our culture does not value submission; rather it promotes individualism. How purposely and actively do you work on submission to those whom God has placed as authorities in your life? Doing so is a good way to humble yourself.
5. Receive correction and feedback from others graciously. (Proverbs 10:17, 12:1) In the Phoenix area, a local East valley pastor was noted for graciously receiving any negative feedback or correction offered. He would simply say "thank you for caring enough to share that with me, I will pray about it and get back to you." Look for the kernel of truth in what people offer you, even if it comes from a dubious source. Always pray, "Lord, what are you trying to show me through this?"
6. Accept a lowly place. (Proverbs 25:6,7) If you find yourself wanting to sit at the head table, wanting others to recognize your contribution or become offended when others are honored or chosen, then pride is present. Purpose to support others being recognized, rather than you. Accept and look for the lowly place; it is the place of humility.
7. Purposely associate with people of lower state than you. (Luke 7:36-39) Jesus was derided by the Pharisees for socializing with the poor and those of lowly state. Our culture is very status conscious and people naturally want to socialize upward. Resist the temptation of being partial to those with status or wealth.
8. Choose to serve others. (Philippians 1:1, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Matthew 23:11) When we serve others, we are serving God’s purposes in their lives. Doing so reduces our focus on ourselves and builds the Kingdom of God instead of the Kingdom of self. When serving another costs us nothing, we should question whether or not it is really servanthood.
9. Be quick to forgive. (Matthew 18: 21-35) Forgiveness is possibly one of the greatest acts of humility we can do. To forgive is to acknowledge a wrong that has been done us and also to further release our right of repayment for the wrong. Forgiveness is denial of self. Forgiveness is not insisting on our way and our justice.
10. Cultivate a grateful heart. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) The more we develop an attitude of gratitude for the gift of salvation and life He has given us, the more true our perspective of self. A grateful heart is a humble heart.
11. Purpose to speak well of others. (Ephesians 4:31-32) Saying negative things about others puts them "one down" and us "one up"…a form of pride. Speaking well of others edifies them and builds them up instead of us. Make sure, however, that what you say is not intended as flattery.
12. Treat pride as a condition that always necessitates embracing the cross. (Luke 9:23) It is our nature to be proud and it is God’s nature in us that brings humility. Committing to a lifestyle of daily dying to self and living through Him is the foundation for true humility.
http://www.bible.com/answers/ahumilty.html
A humble Christian is two fold . True humility is being submitted to the Holy word of God .
In the same way , we should not be inticed to be provoked by satan with our challenge to be humble . Satan did this to Jesus on the Mountian during his 40 day fast .
Satan tried to provoke Christ loyalty to his Father , by manipulating the word and actually trying to make Jesus rebellious to God !
We as Christians , should let the word speak for itself and pray that we are in the right season and understanding of that same word .
There are times for all things and Gods word provides scriptures for all seasons . The three aspects of the word of God are , Rebuke , Reprove , and Exort .
Each of these applications have their own season . Many will try to say that if you rebuke , then you are not humble . But if the Holy Spirit is saying to rebuke and you go against the Spirit of God . Then you also will be in trespass against Gods word for that season , but mostly , you will grieve the Holy Spirit and lose your hearing of the truth ! Mike
In the same way , we should not be inticed to be provoked by satan with our challenge to be humble . Satan did this to Jesus on the Mountian during his 40 day fast .
Satan tried to provoke Christ loyalty to his Father , by manipulating the word and actually trying to make Jesus rebellious to God !
We as Christians , should let the word speak for itself and pray that we are in the right season and understanding of that same word .
There are times for all things and Gods word provides scriptures for all seasons . The three aspects of the word of God are , Rebuke , Reprove , and Exort .
Each of these applications have their own season . Many will try to say that if you rebuke , then you are not humble . But if the Holy Spirit is saying to rebuke and you go against the Spirit of God . Then you also will be in trespass against Gods word for that season , but mostly , you will grieve the Holy Spirit and lose your hearing of the truth ! Mike
